Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has turned 50 today on Friday, however, he will not celebrate the occasion in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of 20 Army personnel in a stand-off with China in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh, as reported by a leading news agency. The party has apparently asked its state and district units not to organise any celebration on Rahul Gandhi’s birthday.

The report further added that All India Congress Committee general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal has requested all units of his party to not organise any celebratory activities owing to the current situations in the country. Albeit, he has asked his party members to strengthen their efforts in providing support and relief to all those who are suffering.

“As you all know, the nation is mourning the tragic loss of our brave soldiers in the standoff at the border with China. In this context, the suggested programmes like distribution of food kits among the neediest people and community kitchens for the poor must be held with utmost reverence and respect to our brave soldiers,” KC Venugopal said. Apart from that, he has also asked his party members to observe silence and hold prayers for two minutes in memory of the soldiers who laid their lives for their motherland.

Furthermore, the national media in-charge of IYC Amrish Ranjan Pandey said in a statement that Youth Congress’ Maharashtra unit will observe a ‘Service Week’ from today to mark Rahul Gandhi’s 50th birthday. They have been asked to distribute Corona NYAY Kits among the people to further the “vision of Rahul Gandhi to help the impoverished in these tough times and to pay tribute to our brave soldiers.” Not just that, the student wing of Congress would also organise number of welfare activities including country-wide blood donation camps and providing cash incentives to the poor.