CM Bhupendra Patel Marks Amit Shah’s Birthday with Service Initiatives in Ahmedabad

When Union Home Minister Amit Shah turned another year older, the celebration in Gujarat took a decidedly charitable turn. Instead of fireworks, the day unfolded with patients, fruit trays, and a free‑meal centre buzzing with activity at Ahmedabad’s Sola Civil Hospital.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel arrived early, greeted the hospital staff, and then made his way through the wards. He paused at a few beds, asked how the patients were faring, and handed out fresh fruit – a simple gesture, but one that drew smiles from those who were weary of long treatments. “Wishing you a quick recovery,” the CM said, his voice a mix of formal well‑wishes and genuine concern.

After the rounds, Patel headed to the Kusumba Annakshetra, the kitchen that serves free meals to patients’ families and the needy. He helped hand out plates of hot rice, lentils, and vegetables, chatting with relatives about their day and listening to a few anecdotes about life in the hospital corridors. Local leaders – Mayor Hitesh Barot, MLA Amitbhai Thakar, and AMC committee chair Kamleshbhai Patel – stood by, nodding in agreement with the chief minister’s call for “service to the nation.”

The day wasn’t just about food and goodwill. Earlier, in Gandhinagar, the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) presented Patel with a dividend cheque worth Rs 223.54 crore for the 2025‑26 financial year. The state‑run firm, which has been mining lignite, bauxite and other minerals since 1963, also highlighted its recent acquisition of three coal blocks in Odisha – a move the government says will bolster Gujarat’s energy security.

All told, the events painted a picture of a leader who prefers rolling up his sleeves on a birthday. Whether it’s visiting sick patients, sharing a simple fruit, or accepting a hefty cheque, the underlying message was clear: progress in Gujarat, the officials said, begins with a steady hand in public service.