Jaya turns 68; PM, TN Guv and other leaders greet her

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today turned 68, with wishes pouring in from various leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, state Governor K Rosaiah and her Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu.
The Prime Minister, who is said to enjoy good ties with the AIADMK General Secretary, also wished her over phone and she thanked him for the gesture.
"Birthday wishes to Jayalalithaa ji. May Almighty bless her with a long life, filled with good health," he said in a tweet.
While Modi, as Gujarat Chief Minister, had attended Jayalalithaa's swearing-in ceremony in 2011, she visited Ahmedabad the next year when he was elected for a successive term in the state.

Tamil Nadu Governor Rosaiah heaped praise on Jayalalithaa and credited her with making the state a 'model' one.
"Your rich acumen, wisdom, dynamism and affection towards the people have made Tamil Nadu a model state for people's welfare projects. I wish you a long, happy and healthy life in your mission to steer Tamil Nadu to greater heights," he said in a message to Jayalalithaa, accompanied by a bouquet.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also wished her over phone, an official release said.
TRS MP from Nizamabad and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao's daughter, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, US Consul General in Chennai, Philip A Min, yesteryear actor B Saroja Devi and Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali also greeted the CM.

AIADMK workers also celebrated their leader's birthday with usual fervour.
Ministers participated in special prayers in places of worship while mega feast, 'annadanam' and distribution of welfare measures were undertaken by AIADMK workers all across the state.
At Chennai a 68 kg cake was cut by ministers and party workers. A similar initiative was held at Villupuram.
As many as 18 lakh callers had greeted Jayalalithaa on a dedicated phone line established for this purpose, party's IT Wing Secretary K Swaminthan said.
"We have received 18 lakh calls as of 12 noon today and we expect to cross 25 lakh by midnight," he told PTI.

The popular Amma Unavagam (subsidised canteens) under Corporation of Chennai, distributed free food for people.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, which manages a large number of temples across the state, launched a massive tree sapling planting drive, covering 6868 Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples across the state.
While Vilvam (bael) saplings were planted in Shaivite temples, Punnai (Alexandrian Laurel) and Magizham (ape flower tree) were planted in Vaishnavite temples, by the department.