Gadkari collapses at function, says he's now fine

Ahmednagar (Maharashtra): Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari, a diabetic, fainted during a function here on Friday due to "low sugar" and later, after taking rest, left for the Shirdi Sai Baba temple.

The incident occurred when he was standing with other dignitaries for the National Anthem at the convocation function of the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) Agricultural University.

Gadkari started feeling uneasy, lost his balance and collapsed on the dais. Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao and some others rushed to prevent him from falling.

He was taken to a government guest house and examined by a team of medicos.

A diabetic patient, Gadkari's condition was stated as "stable" by his Bharatiya Janata Party colleagues.

He himself tweeted later: "Had slight medical condition due to low sugar. I have been attended by doctors and I am doing well now. I thank all of you for all the well wishes."

After a short rest at the guest house, Gadkari took a helicopter ride to Shirdi to pray at the Sai Baba temple and later took a private flight to his hometown Nagpur.

Party colleagues said his gruelling daily schedules may have taken a toll on his health which resulted in his collapse.

Gadkari is known to maintain a stringent 18-hour schedule starting at 6 a.m. with yoga and his working day continues well past midnight.