BJP BRINGS ALL PARTIES ON STAGE: It was a sight to watch as political bigwigs across parties made their way to the stage to mark the celebration of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s 60th birthday on May 27, 2017 at Kasturchand Park in Nagpur.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with wife Amruta Fadnavis felicitated Nitin Gadkari his wife Kanchan.

While Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna gifted a gold chain to Gadkari, Minister of Energy, New and Renewable Energy for Maharashtra Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Devendra Fadnavis handed over a cheque of Rs 1.01 crore to Gadkari, which the latter plans to utilise it for the development of the society.

Fadnavis, while praising Gadkaris never-die-attitude, said, Gadkaris journey has been a tough one but he never accepted defeat. Technology and experimentation has always attracted him. His biggest strength lies in his attitude and his capacity to do things differently. Gadkari not just shows big dreams, but also has the capacity to fulfill them.

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While appreciating the leadership qualities of Gadkari, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Sushilkumar Shinde said, Nitin Gadkari has an extraordinary personality. Due to his friendly nature, he has several friends in other parties too. No matter what he never forgets his colleagues. His work as the Union Minister is satisfying. There are very few ministers who speak in cabinet meetings and Gadkari is one of them. His thoughts are genuine and he always thinks about the countrys development. He has a good leadership quality and the ability to lead the country.

Similarly, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh, said, Not just to Maharashtra, Nitin Gadkari has given a new direction of development to the entire nation. As CMs, we also face several problems regarding development. Gadkari is our go-to person. He has multiple formulas to solve every problem of ours; he is our guide.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, Working with Gadkari is like gathering a lot of rich experience. He never thinks wrong about anyone. He may have different opinion with the Opposition, but he doesn’t hold any grudges against them. He inspires others through his actions. He doesn’t carry an ego and has no negative attitude towards anyone. We took efforts to grow Madhya Pradesh under his guidance and currently, 22 cities of Madhya Pradesh are among the top 100 clean cities of the country. Gadkari is a combination of knowledge, worship and devotion.

Thanking all the dignitaries, Gadkari thanked the crowd of 40,000 people too for their wishes. He announced that he would dedicate his remaining life for improving the conditions of poor and tribal people for the countrys development. Recalling his journey from an ordinary party worker to the national president till now, he stated, The love and affection I have received from Indians irrespective of their caste, religion and party is the biggest achievement in my life. I would stick posters on walls till late night whenever Atalji (Vajpayee) would visit Nagpur. I’m very satisfied with life. I have got more than what I deserve.

Speaking about his previous plans of shifting to Delhi, he joked, I never wanted to shift to Delhi; I hated paneer and aloo paratha! (Laughs) But, destiny took me there. In 1975, I left my college and went to Mumbai to fight during ’emergency’ in India. I remember during the 1977 elections, I used to travel in a rickshaw and make announcements on the loudspeaker.

While crediting Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for changing his life, Gadkari said, Bhaurao Deoras and Balasaheb Deoras taught me how to devote myself for the welfare of the people. In my public life, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, George Fernandes and Nanaji Deshmukh have been my idols.

Other bigwigs who attended the do included Vijay Goel, Union minister of State for Sports, Hansraj Ahir, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Narayan Rane, Governor of Assam Banwarilal Purohit, Minister of Rural Development, Women and Child Welfare Pankaja Munde, Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, Former MP Vijay Darda, Nagpur Mayor Nandatai Jichkar, among many others.

Shri Shri Ravi Shankar conveyed his wishes, which were broadcasted on a projector. A message from the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar too was also read out for Gadkari. A special book titled Sansad mein Nitin Gadkari? by Prabhat Publications was released by all the dignitaries at the occasion.

The event was kick started by Nagpur’s singer Niranjan Bhobde with Ganesh Vandana. Later, popular singer Sudesh Bhonsale and Vaishali Samant regaled the audience with their popular tracks. All the dignitaries present over dais sang National Anthem song. The tricolor was displayed at the backdrop during the rendition of Vande Mataram.

(With inputs and pictures from Suyash Sethiya)