CM Rekha celebrates b’day at ancestral village in Haryana
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta celebrated her 51st birthday on Saturday with an emotional return to her ancestral village in Haryana’s Jind district — her first visit there after assuming office — while warm wishes poured in from across the country, including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Murmu sent a letter conveying her wishes for Gupta’s good health and many more years of service to the nation. Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi praised Gupta’s dedication, posting, “Best wishes to Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, on her birthday. Rising through the ranks, she has always remained active in serving Delhi. As a Chief Minister, she has undertaken numerous initiatives for the city’s welfare. May she be blessed with a long and healthy life.”
Opposition leader and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal also extended his greetings on X alongside many other leaders.
Marking her special day, the Delhi CM travelled to Julana and her native village Nandgarh in Haryana where she was received by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. This was the first visit to her birthplace in 48 years.
Gupta began her day inaugurating the Aggarwal Dharamshala in Julana with CM Saini and planting a sapling under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched by PM Modi to promote environmental conservation.
She then reached Nandgarh village, where an enthusiastic crowd gathered to welcome her. A grand felicitation ceremony was held at the village sports complex where local residents, women and children greeted her with traditional songs and rituals. Many villagers stood on rooftops and along the road to catch a glimpse of their “CM daughter.”
Visibly moved, Gupta said returning as the Chief Minister to her birthplace was an unforgettable moment. “Receiving so much love from my people gives me immense strength to work harder for both my karmabhoomi Delhi and my janmabhoomi Haryana,” she said, thanking CM Saini for encouraging her to spend the day connecting with her roots.
Highlighting the Centre’s vision, Gupta said, “Delhi and Haryana both have a role to play in fulfilling Prime Minister Modi’s dream of a developed India. Together, we will work to realise this goal.”
To mark the occasion, Haryana CM Saini gifted her a traditional “Saawan ki Kothli” and announced development projects worth Rs 16.80 crore, including eight new initiatives aimed at improving local infrastructure, for Nandgarh village and the Julana constituency.
Later in the evening, Chief Minister Gupta returned to Delhi where she celebrated her birthday with specially-abled children at the Mukhyamantri Jan Seva Sadan. As the children surrounded her singing “Happy Birthday, Didi” and chanting “Didi, Tum Jiyo Hazaron Saal,” the Chief Minister was seen wiping her tears.
She spent time sharing a meal with the children, gifted them special presents and a cash contribution of Rs 1.11 lakh, and joined them as they recited Hanuman Chalisa — a moment she described as deeply touching.
“I am your Didi. Whatever needs to be done for you, I will do it wholeheartedly and with all my love,” she told the children, assuring them of her continued support and blessings.
Delhi