PM, CMs greet Narasimhan on 71st birthday

Hyderabad, Nov 4 (INN): Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana E.S.L. Narasimhan on Friday termed his 71st birthday as a memorable event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh) and K. Chandrashekar Rao (Telangana) were among those leaders who greeted Narasimhan today, as he turned 71.

The Prime Minister called the Governor over phone and conveyed his greetings. Birthday wishes poured from across the two Telugu States. Accompanied by Assembly Speaker Madhusudan Chary, Legislative Council Chairman Swamy Goud, cabinet colleagues, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, senior officers and other dignitaries, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao visited the Raj Bhavan and all of them greeted profusely the Governor with bouquets.

Responding to the greetings, the Governor said that "Your greetings and wishes are very encouraging. It is a further boost to work more and I express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who greeted me on my birthday. Today is a memorable day in my life. Though I have celebrated 70 birthdays till now, this 71st birthday is something different. It is as if I am addressing the whole State of Telangana as leaders from across the State are here in the Raj Bhavan to greet me. You are my whole strength and it gives me strength to work with renewed vigour," the Governor said.

The Chief Minister introduced all his Ministerial colleagues MLAs, MPs and others to the Governor. Among those who conveyed their heartfelt greetings are Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari, Ministers K Tarakarama Rao, Harish Rao and Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy and Rajya Sabha members K. Keshav Rao and D. Srinivas.

The Governor said that, "For the past 29 months two days, I have been closely observing the functioning of the Government. You are doing an excellent job and your contribution for the progress of the State is marvellous. I can feel the confidence in your faces. Under the leadership of KCR, I strongly believe that the State will further progress," he said addressing all those who greeted him.

He appealed to them to lend their contribution for the State to make further strides. "As the first Governor of this State I wish all the best for Telangana," he stated.

In the morning, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited the Raj Bhavan and greeted the Governor. He presented a shawl and a bouquet to the Governor. The Governor recalled his long association with Chandrababu Naidu and called him as his "old friend". Later, Chandrababu closeted with the Governor for about half-an-hour in the main house of the Raj Bhavan.

Chief Secretary of Telangana Rajiv Sharma, Director General of Police Anurag Sharma, Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy and several senior officials and non officials also called on the Governor on the occasion and conveyed their personal greetings to him.