Shivraj Singh Chouhan is firmly entrenched as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. His grip on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is also quite firm since before taking over as CM, he had been its State president. Chouhan is also going to lead the party in the coming elections to the State assembly. In the present scenario BJP looks set to recapture power in the State under his leadership. All these factors might have made such a powerful leader act like Mayawati, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Laloo Prasad Yadav, Jayalalithaa who during their terms as CM in their respective states misused state machinery and funds on their birthday bash. But, the birthday of Shivraj Singh Chouhan a day before Mahashivratri was a birthday with a difference. There were no big ads in the newspapers, no large-scale functions with pomp and show and no birthday bashes at the cost of government exchequer.

Chouhan who always thinks of the well being of the downtrodden and weaker sections, celebrated his birthday in a unique style, reports SMS News and Features. The day of the CM began with worship at the temple at his residence. Later, he offered sweets to the visitors and thanked them. The visitors presented him bouquets and flower garlands.

Later, on Wednesday afternoon, he visited 'Asra', the old age home and sought the blessings of the elderly people residing there. He also met the physically challenged persons and children. He said that a panchayat of the aged and physically challenged persons would be held soon at Bhopal.

Chouhan gave away a Maruti car for 'Asra' from his discretionary fund. He directed Collector RK Mathur to provide the same without delay. He directed the Commissioner, Bhopal Municipal Corporation to carry out Rs six lakh works to ensure a proper sewage system at the old age home. Lauding the activities carried out at 'Asra' for the welfare of the elderly people he presented a cheque of Rs 5.30 lakh as grant to the old age home.

The CM met the elderly people including 100-year-old Fakir Chand. He assured them that all he sought their blessings to work with greater vigour for the welfare of people.

Slum-dwellers were also beneficiaries of CM's birthday. Making MP a leading state of the country is my sole raison d'etre in life, says Chouhan. He said that the aim would remain unattained until the fruits of development and progress reach the last man in the last row. Chouhan was speaking at a felicitation function organised by the district unit of BJP on his birthday here. A commendation letter was also presented to him on the occasion.

He said that the state government is considering conferring ownership right on people where they are dwelling except public places. This would benefit lakhs of Jhuggi dwellers. Special efforts would be made to ensure all-round development of the daily wage workers, farmers, women, children and other weaker sections irrespective of any particular class or section of the society, he added.

He said that generally he does not celebrate his birthday. For him, he said, birthday is the day to renew his resolve to work even harder to improve the conditions of the people and the state. Citing various episodes of his own life he said that struggle leads to success. He expressed the confidence that as Chief Minister he would be able to ensure happiness, prosperity and development of the state. He said that the Ekatm Manavtavad philosophy of Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya is the main source of his inspiration.