Monday, December 12 2005 17:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: NCP Chief and Maratha strongman, Sharad Pawar, who turns 65 today (December 12, 2005), will receive a novel birthday gift when the first international flight from Pune takes off this afternoon.

The Union Civil Aviation Ministry, headed by senior NCP leader Praful Patel, has decided to launch a direct flight between Pune and Dubai to mark Pawar's birthday, followed by another direct flight between Pune and Singapore beginning December 13.

The inaugural flight will be flagged off by Pawar himself at a function, that is expected to be attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, besides all NCP leaders and Ministers.

With the winter session in progress at Nagpur, NCP has chartered a special flight from Nagpur this afternoon to ferry NCP ministers and MLAs to Pune. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, R R Patil will lead the contingent.

While Deshmukh is also slated to attend the function at Pune, it is not clear if he would fly along with NCP leaders, or take the state aircraft to reach Pune.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde, will also celebrate birthday today (December 12, 2005).

Munde today left for Nagpur where the winter session is on, and the party is scheduled to celebrate his birthday there party sources said.