New Delhi: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil celebrated her 75th birthday today by meeting orphans, differently abled children, freedom fighters and school students.

Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Governors of several states called on Ms Patil to greet her on the occasion. The President visited 'Tamanna', a school for differently abled children.

She met members of the public at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Ms Patil also met members of freedom fighter associations, various orphanages and a group of school students. Ms Patil said the birthday was an occasion for self reflection and to help the poor and needy as it was a ''service to God.'' ''These are the occasions when an individual can reflect on what he or she can do for society and on such days, kindness should flow from the heart of the person to others,'' she said.

Meanwhile, a 75-foot-tall greeting card designed jointly by S V Childrens High School (SVCHS) and Tirupati Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has been presented to the President. The huge greeting card signed by nearly 3,000 children with birthday wishes besides depicting her achievements and blessings from various spiritual leaders was prepared in 20 days by students.