Hyderabad, July 4 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Sunday celebrated his 78th birthday with family members, Congress leaders and other well-wishers.
The veteran leader performed special prayers at his residence along with his family members.

Priests from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam blessed the chief minister and offered prayers for his good health and long life.

Congress leaders, ministers and other well-wishers made a beeline to his house to greet him. Youth Congress leaders cut a 78-kg cake on the occasion.

Congress workers held various programmes like feeding the poor and blood donation camps in different parts of the state to celebrate Rosaiah’s birthday.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, Praja Rajyam Party chief K. Chiranjeevi and leaders of other parties greeted the chief minister.

Rosaiah, who has 60 years of political experience, took over as chief minister in September last year after Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy died in a helicopter crash.

In a message on the occasion of his birthday, Rosaiah said he considered chief ministership as an opportunity given by god to serve people. “My life’s ambition is to attain salvation by serving the people,” he said.

Rosaiah said the state has a bright future and hoped that all parties will cooperate with him in making the state prosperous.