Fortunate to serve people of HP for 55 yrs: Virbhadra on b'day

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who today turned 83, says fortunate to serve the people of the state for the last 55 years.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered at his residence to wish him. Singh celebrated his birthday with his wife Pratibha Singh and son Vikramaditya Singh and well wishers at his private residence - Holley Lodge - here.

Enthusiastic supporters performed popular folk dance "Nati" and also made the chief minister join them.

The chief minister said he was lucky enough to have served the people of the state for the last 55 years, since he entered the electoral politics in 1962.

Singh said he encountered many hurdles and saw ups and downs in his long political career and the pleasure overcoming the obstacles was beyond words to express.

It was the love and people of the state which gave him strength to cross all hurdles in his political career, despite all odds, he said.

Six time chief minister, Virbhadra Singh was elected to Lok Sabha for the first time in 1962 and became chief minister of the state in April 1983. He is a four-time MP and was elected to state assembly eight times and is serving as chief minister for the sixth term.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)