Patna: CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar turned 75 on Sunday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, several Union ministers, ministers from other states and senior leaders of various political parties extending birthday greetings.State ministers from the JD(U) and party workers organised a series of programmes across Bihar, including in his native village, Kalyan Bigha, to mark the occasion. Workers celebrated by cutting a cake outside the JD(U) office. Puja and havan were organised at the Naulakha Mandir in Patna. A blood donation camp was held at the residence of rural works minister Ashok Choudhary, while a 75-pound cake was cut at the residence of social welfare minister Madan Sahni.The PM posted on X, “Birthday greetings to Bihar CM Shri Nitish Kumar Ji. He was tirelessly working for Bihar’s progress over the last several years.” He said Kumar’s vision and development schemes had positively impacted countless lives and “prayed for Nitish’s long and healthy life”.Shah also conveyed his wishes on X. “Heartfelt birthday greetings to the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar. Under your leadership, the NDA in Bihar is working with dedication for the development and progress of the people of the state. I pray to God for your good health and long life,” he posted.Bihar governor Arif Mohammed Khan extended greetings and prayed for Kumar’s “good health, longevity and a life full of achievements”.JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha said, “Nitish is the pride of Bihar. He transformed Bihar.”Leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav also wished the CM on his birthday and said he hoped Kumar would remain in good health.Nishant performed puja-archana at Patna’s Mahavir Mandir and the Iskcon temple, praying for his father’s long life. After offering prayers, he returned to the CM’s official residence, where he touched his father’s feet and sought his blessings.Responding to a media query outside a temple, Nishant said, “Today is my father’s birthday. I came to the Mahavir Mandir to pray for Papa’s long life and good health. Today he completed 75 years. Everything is going well. It is God’s grace.”Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Arunachal Pradesh deputy CM Chowna Mein also greeted Kumar on the occasion.Several JD(U) leaders, including Ashok Choudhary, Neeraj Kumar and Vijay Choudhary, conveyed their wishes to the CM.General secretary of Bihar Rajya Nagrik Parishad, Arvind Kumar alias Chhotu Singh, said, “Today is a matter of pride for all JD(U) workers. If anyone changed the face of Bihar, it is Nitish.”Reacting to the demand by party workers for Nishant’s entry into politics, he said, “Nishant will certainly enter politics. He is educated, so entering politics is not wrong. The people of entire Bihar want Nishant to enter politics.”
