From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Goa

Goa, Dec 11: Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar has appealed to the people not to spend on his birthday advertisement. He asked them to contribute that amount for Goa chief minister's relief fund instead to help Chennai flood victims.

"People of Goa have always supported and showered their blessings on me. On the occasion of my 60th birthday on December 13 this year, I urge all of you to pray and help towards the loss caused by the devastating floods in Chennai," Parrikar has said in an email on Thursday.

"Let us stand with the people of Chennai in their difficult times. I urge my well wishers not to spend on advertisements / presents and / or flowers on my birthday but instead to contribute towards chief minister of Goa Chennai Relief Fund," he said.

Parrikar added, "This will be a cherished birthday gift from my state of Goa as reaching out to humanity is sacred."

The Congress party had appealed to Parrikar to cancel his birthday celebrations in the wake of Chennai tragedy. The state chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, however, had said that the state government is not spending on the event.