Prime Minister Manmohan Singh celebrated his birthday mid-air amidst his close family, PMO officials

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and security personnel.

Air India quietly organised a cake for the Prime Minister to be cut mid-air an hour before landing at Geneva. Dr Singh and his entourage were travelling back home after a two-day visit to Pittsburgh to participate in the G-20 heads of state and government summit.

Dr Singh’s cake was picked up from Pittsburgh. While the cake was cut by Dr Singh, his wife Gursharan Kaur made sure all the accompanying officials, security personnel and journalists accompanying the PM got a slice of cake.

Plan panel deputy chief Montek Singh Ahluwalia was one of the first to greet the Prime Minister with a bouquet of flowers. Dr Singh’s daughter was also present on the aircraft to greet the father.

The Prime minister later moved around amidst newsmen accepting greetings. Visibly emotional, Dr Singh said he prayed to God for more strength to serve the motherland and his countrymen.

Finance secretary Ashok Chawla and national security adviser M.K. Narayanan were there to wish the Prime Minister on his birthday. After a half-day break in Geneva, the Prime Minister is scheduled to return to New Delhi on Sunday.