President's birthday a quiet affair

NEW DELHI:  President Pratibha Patil's 74th birthday was a quite affair as she decided to celebrate it to show solidarity with the Mumbai terror victims.
    
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wished her on Friday morning over the phone.    Despite any celebrations in the president's estate, bouquets from prime minister, vice-president, Lok Sabha speaker and other dignitaries kept pouring here.

"She has decided not to celebrate her birthday because of Mumbai terror strikes. It was a normal routine day for her," an aide said.
    
The president, however, distributed fruits like apples, guavas etc to destitute children and orphanages in the city. The institutions which received gifts from the president
include Leprosy Mission India, Delhi Cheshire Home, Madrasa Islamia Hifzulquraan, Vishram Vridh Asram, Shantibhavan, Old Age Home, Shri Geeta Vridha Ashram, Senior Citizens Home, Nirmal Hriday and NAB Kaushlya Rani Home.