President Pranab Mukherjee said on Sunday heaped praise on former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for rising to the highest positions in the country by overcoming the odds of an extremely humble background and various handicaps without bitterness.
Speaking at Shinde’s 75th birthday celebrations of the veteran Congress leader at Solapur in western Maharashtra, the President said that Shinde “stands out as an inspiration for millions in our country”.
“By overcoming the odds of an extremely humble background and various handicaps without bitterness, Shindeji rose to the highest positions in the country. This shows his steely mind, single-mindedness, courage and determination,” the President said.
“His (Shinde’s) life is the story of India. India too has overcome many difficulties backwardness, illiteracy, disease and ignorance,” Mukherjee said.
“His is the shining example of the success of Indian democracy. We must celebrate this strength. Shindeji stands out as an inspiration for millions in our country,” the President said.
Beginning his career as a bailiff in Solapur sessions court where he served from 1957 to 1965, then becoming a constable with the Maharashtra police and rose to become a Sub-Inspector, Shinde came a long way to become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on January 18, 2003, a post he held till November 4, 2004.
The four-time MlA, three-time lok Sabha member and two time Rajya Sabha member, Shinde was the Union Power Minister between 2006 and 2012. He also served as the Union Home Minister from July 31, 2012 to May 26, 2014. Apart from being the Congress’ group leader in lok Sabha for some time, Shinde also served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh from November 4, 20104 to January 29, 2016.
Prominent among those present at Shinde’s public felicitation function were Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
Replying to felicitation accorded to him, Shinde said that he had never celebrated his birthday during 40 years of political career. “I always used to celebrate my birthday with family members. This is the first time that I am celebrating my birthday at a public function. I thank Bihar Governor DY Patil for organising this function,” he said.
Shinde also thanked the people of Solapur for all his achievements in politics.