BJP to celebrate LK Advani's 99th birthday at party office
What's the story
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will celebrate veteran leader LK Advani's 99th birthday at its national headquarters on Sunday. The event will include a hawan and prayers for his long life and good health. BJP president Nitin Nabin and Union minister Piyush Goyal are expected to address the gathering, which will also be attended by Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani.
Celebration details
Health concerns for Advani
The hawan and puja will be followed by a special presentation on Advani's life and political journey.
The event will conclude with the distribution of prasad.
This celebration comes after recent health concerns for Advani, who was discharged from Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi on October 19 after treatment for a chest infection.
Health updates
Frequent hospitalizations in 2024
Advani had also been hospitalized in May for age-related ailments. He was frequently hospitalized in 2024, including at Apollo and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
In December of that year, he received intensive care before being discharged on December 25.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Advani at his Delhi residence on October 7 to seek his blessings on completing 25 years as a head of government.
Political journey
Advani received Bharat Ratna in March 2024
Born in Karachi, Advani moved to India during the Partition in 1947. He became a central figure in the BJP's growth and served three terms as its president.
He was Union Home Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government and deputy prime minister from 2002 to 2004.
In March 2024, Advani received India's highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, presented by President Droupadi Murmu at his residence with PM Modi and other senior leaders present.