A Raja spends his 48th birthday in Tihar jail and court

It was in a 12x15 feet cell in Tihar jail that former telecom minister A Raja started his 48th birthday today, far removed from the day-long celebrations that marks such occasions in the past.

In prison for 83 days, Raja, arrested in connection with the second-generation mobile telephony spectrum scam, began the day with some breathing exercises at 5am in his Jail No 1.

After the usual head count, he went in for an hour of 'pranayam' conducted for all inmates inside the jail.

This was followed by a breakfast which included two pieces of bread with a cup of tea and a plate of curry, jail officials said.

At around 8.30am, dressed in a white shirt and a deep blue trouser, Raja boarded the jail van that was waiting to take inmates to the Patiala court.

On reaching the court where he stayed for over six hours, eyewitness said that Raja conversed with DMK MP Kanimozhi and other accused in the the 2G spectrum case.

Raja, who smiled on occasions, appeared calm and composed throughout the day's court proceedings that continued till 4.30pm.

He was back in the jail premises at around 5.30pm.

Hardly any of his fellow inmates or jail officials came to know that it was the birthday of the once powerful and well-connected DMK leader.

"It is news to me that today is the birthday of Mr Raja. It was a normal day today," an official who did not wish to be named said.

Raja was brought to Tihar jail on February 17.