President Patil celebrates her birthday with specially abled and destitutes

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today celebrated her 73rd birthday with specially abled and destitutes of the city.

New Delhi, Dec 19 : President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today celebrated her 73rd birthday with specially abled and destitutes of the city.

Patil visited the Nirmal Hriday Home for the Dying Destitutes and distributed blankets, sweaters and sweets to people living over there.

On this occasion, she recalled that as a Rajasthan Governor too she celebrated her birthday with destitute, poor, mentally challenged and those who suffering from leprosy.

Patil also visited the Asha Kiran Home for the Mentally Challenged and presented two TV sets and gave away sweets to the mentally challenged persons.

"Helping the poor and the needy are a way of service to God. Birthdays are occasions when an individual can reflect on what he can do for society," Patil said.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit and Delhi Health Minister Yoganand Shastri were also present on the occasion, a government release said.

Patil, who is the country's first woman President, succeeded Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Patil, a member of the Indian National Congress (INC), was nominated to the post of president by the United Progressive Alliance and Left.

She won the presidential election by defeating her nearest rival Bhairon Singh Shekhawat by over 30,00,00 votes.

A lawyer by profession, Patil represented Edlabad constituency in Jalgaon District, Maharashtra as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (1962-1985).

President Patil was deputy chairwoman of the Rajya Sabha (1986-1988), Member of Parliament from Amravati in the Lok Sabha (1991-1996), and the 24th, and the first woman Governor of Rajasthan (2004-2007).

ANI