NEW DELHI: Supporters of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, alias Ajay Singh Bisht, who dreams of becoming the Prime Minister after Modi, celebrated his 54th birthday in Varanasi on Friday with a 54-kg laddu cake and a plantation drive featuring 54 saplings.
Born in Pauri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, he later adopted his religious name after becoming a disciple of Mahant Avaidyanath and taking vows as a monk.
The celebrations took place at the 51-foot-tall Varad Anjaneya Hanuman Temple, where a large gathering of supporters assembled to mark the occasion.
Organisers said the 54-kg cake symbolised the chief minister’s age, while the plantation of 54 saplings coincided with World Environment Day.
Photographs and displays highlighting welfare schemes and development projects undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh government under Adityanath’s leadership were showcased at the temple premises during the event.
A special prayer ceremony and aarti were organised, with devotees and supporters offering wishes for the chief minister’s good health, long life and continued leadership of the state.
Born on June 5, 1972, Yogi Adityanath is currently the longest-serving chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The birthday celebrations in Varanasi reflected both public support for the BJP leader and the state government’s emphasis on environmental initiatives through plantation activities linked to World Environment Day observances.
Coinciding with his birthday and World Environment Day, Adityanath launched a statewide plantation campaign from Lucknow’s Kukrail forest area under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative.
The state government has set a target of planting five crore saplings in a single day, with responsibilities assigned across departments, divisions and districts.
