Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi is celebrating his 87th birthday today.
As his birthday gift, the CM has symbolically handed over his residence to a trust to convert it into a free hospital after his and his wife's lifetime. (
Read: The Karunanidhi family tree)
A Tamil film, Pen Singham, scripted by the DMK chief based on his old novel, will also be released today.
The Chennai Corporation is likely to announce a new scheme for new born children to mark the occasion.
Like every year, Karunanidhi started his day by planting a tree, after which he paid homage at the memorials of his mentors, DMK founder C N Annadurai and rationalist leader E V R Periyar.
He later cut a cake at his residence and was joined by family members including his sons, Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin and union Fertiliser Minister M K Alagiri.
Celebrations are planned across Chennai. It's a big day for the DMK cadres. Several thousand of them would greet their leader at the party headquarters as they keenly wait for his customary birthday speech later in the evening.
The DMK chief has often hinted at his retirement from end of June this year. (With PTI inputs)
(Watch: Souvenir for Karunanidhi's birthday)