Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

IN PICS: Bal Thackeray turns 86

Last updated on: January 23, 2012 18:07 IST
Sculptor Lakshmi  Kamble makes a sand portrait of Bal Thackeray

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray turned 86 on Monday. The Sena chief's birthday was celebrated with enthusiasm with thousands of activists across the state visiting his residence Matoshri in suburban Bandra.

A 'rudrakshtula' of Thackeray was performed by the Nepali Shramik Mazdoor Union. The 'rudraksh' were later given to those gathered. At the Juhu beach, sculptor Lakshmi  Kamble made a sand portrait of the Sena patriarch, drawing a throng of admirers.

Click NEXT to read further....

IN PICS: Bal Thackeray turns 86

Last updated on: January 23, 2012 18:07 IST
Thackeray at the hawan venue

In a message to supporters, Thackeray said he would not be able to meet them like he did in the past. "Then, meeting you was my tonic. It still is. However, I don't have the same strength I had earlier," he said.

Talking to reporters at Matoshri, Thackeray replied to queries on his praise by Modi. "How do I know why he praised me? Ask him, why he praised me," he said. "Or is it a  paid news like there is paid news in media," he quipped.

Click NEXT to read further...

IN PICS: Bal Thackeray turns 86

Last updated on: January 23, 2012 18:07 IST
Thackeray arrives at the venue

Reacting to remarks by estranged nephew, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, that Sena had lost people's support, the Sena chief said, "does he (Raj) have a machine to monitor people's minds?"

Meanwhile, in an editorial in Saamana, Thackeray flayed party's Lok Sabha member from Kalyan, Anand Paranjpe, who has joined the Nationalist Congress Party. "There is no place in history for traitors," he said.

Click NEXT to read further...

IN PICS: Bal Thackeray turns 86

Last updated on: January 23, 2012 18:07 IST
Thackeray being weighed in rudraskh beads

Meanwhile, greeting Bal Thackeray on his birthday, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has described the Shiv Sena chief as a 'straightforward' leader.

"Balasaheb is a straightforward leader... He always fought for Hindutva," Saamana quoted Modi as saying.

"A personality like his comes once in a century," Modi said. "He gave all in the national interest and ruled people's hearts," he said.

Other TOP photo features

Last updated on: January 23, 2012 18:07 IST
Click on MORE to see another set of PHOTO features...