Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday celebrated his 87th birthday amidst the enthused school students and the workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) at various functions organized in Gidderabaha and his native village Badal.
Early in the morning, Badal was felicitated by the party workers at his ancestral home in Badal village, and a cake-cutting ceremony was also held.
Celebrations were also held at the residence of Akali leaders Gogi Jain and Vijay Jain in Gidderbaha.
later in the day, the Chief Minister celebrated his birthday amongst the students of Malwa School, Gidderbaha.
Badal, who was in the school to preside over its foundation day celebrations, was accorded a warm welcome by the school management, which had also organised a special program to celebrate his birthday.
On the occasion, Badal exhorted the students to work hard to achieve success in life.
“Education is the foundation of socio-economic progress and it is the sole key through which the students from rural areas could compete with their peers across the globe,” he said.
Striking an emotional chord with the students, Badal recalled the dedication and hard work done by his wife late Surinder Kaur Badal in setting up of this school, for imparting quality education to students of far flung areas.
In the afternoon, the Chief Minister celebrated his birthday with the students during the inauguration of National School Games at Mata Jaswant Kaur Memorial School in Badal village.
On the occasion, the State Education Minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and the school management extended warm wishes to the Chief Minister on his birthday.
During the function, Badal also cut the birthday cake, which was distributed amongst the students.