Host of programmes held in Puducherry on Rahul Gandhi's birthday

Chief minister V Vaithilingam, Congress Puducherry unit president AV Subramanian and legislators today dragged the golden chariot at Manakula Vinayakar and offered prayers on the occasion of 40th birthday of AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Distribution of benefits of various welfare schemes, holding of meetings at the PCC party office and programmes marked the day.

A painting competition for schoolchildren was also held to highlight the theme of national unity, a PCC spokesman said.

The chief minister returned from Delhi last night after meeting Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal to discuss  various educational projects for Puducherry, official sources said.