Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has not only told her party members to collect funds for her 47th birthday on January 15, but also declared it as 'Arthik Sayhog Diwas' [Monetary Support Day] and 'Swabhiman Diwas' [Self-respect Day].

The cutting of a 50kg cake on a 40X60X24 state-of-the-art stage being erected for a massive cultural extravaganza will cost the exchequer crores of rupees.

Sixty-nine artisans from Bihar, West Bengal and Delhi are decorating the stage and the exhibition enclosure, which is a replica of the controversial Rs1.5 billion Ambedkar memorial-cum-park.

The sprawling La Martiniere College ground across the chief minister's residence has been covered with giant tents to accommodate 25,000 people.

Ten huge cutouts of Mayawati have already been put up along the periphery of the venue.

A local shop is making around 100,000 ladoos for the visitors.

The four-hour show will be replicated at Delhi's Talkatora stadium and will be attended by members of the National Democratic Alliance.

Mayawati has asked her party members, ministers, and public representatives to collect funds for her birthday through specially printed coupons. Asked to comment on this at a press conference on January 9, the chief minister threatened scribes, who later boycotted a luncheon hosted by her.

Various departments were told to assume responsibility for the celebrations through a government order on December 30, 2002.

The Public Works Department, Lucknow Development Authority, the departments of Information and Cultural Affairs, the district administration, Lucknow Municipal Corporation and the police are involved in the preparations.

Thus, if the PWD is to put up the waterproof tent for 25,000 people, the LDA is to foot the bill for the stage's special well-carpeted seating enclosure for VIPs.

To top it all, the chief medical officer of Lucknow has been asked to not only take care of the supply, but to also ensure 'quality control' of the ladoos.

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