Madhu Koda: Each day a birthday

Ranchi, Jan. 6: Chief minister Madhu Koda turned 37 today. But he spent his first birthday after becoming the Jharkhand chief minister without any fanfare.

Neither Koda went to a temple to seek the Almighty’s blessings, nor did he cut a cake at his residence to mark the day. He just met his well-wishers at his residence and accepted their greetings.

“I never celebrate my birthday. For me, everyday is a birthday. And why should I go to a temple when I have the biggest goddess of all — my mother — in my house? My father is at our native place now,” said Koda on how he spent his day.

As per the records available with the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha, he was born on January 6, 1971, in the Pattahatu village of West Singhbhum district. But, he was “shy enough” to talk about his age.

“Now you are asking about my actual age. After that you will like to hear from me the longevity of my government,” he quipped.

In his message to the masses of the state, Koda wished that every newborn and mother got maximum benefits of Matri Yojana and Janani Yojana schemes. He also promised improvements in the health sector and better services to the poor, especially the expectant mothers and neo-natals.

The newspersons, however, did not “spare” Koda of pinch even on his birthday, but he put up a brave face.

“Naxalism had spread its tentacles in this area much before Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar. Whereas, it hit Chhattisgarh after the creation of the new state. The pace of development in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will differ naturally. Uttaranchal has been granted the special state status. I have already requested the Prime Minister to grant a similar status to Jharkhand as well. It is therefore not fair to compare the growth of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttaranchal at this juncture,” he argued.

Koda also said that JMM chief Shibu Soren’s transfer to Dumka jail or any other prison in Jharkhand would have little impact on the functioning of his government.

“Whether Guruji is in Delhi’s Tihar Jail or Dumka central jail, is immaterial. We will continue to receive his blessings and guidance. He is our real guardian,” he added.