Ranchi:
Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, recuperating in the hospital after a helicopter mishap, thanked the people for wishing him speedy recovery.
"The Chief Minister told the attending doctors that prayers of the people have boosted his confidence. He expressed thanks to them," an official release said.
Mr Munda was given semi-solid food during the day. A medical bulletin quoting neuro-surgeon Dr Sanjay Kumar said that pain in his waist and ankle has lessened.
The Chief Minister, his wife, two pilots, an MLA and a security officer had suffered injuries after their helicopter crash-landed on Thursday.
The condition of his wife, Meera, has also improved as wheel chair was used to move her in the ward while Mr Munda's security officer Manoj Singh's pain in Lumber Vertibra, has lessened.
The condition of two pilots, JPS Kaushik and Vipul Kumar Singh, who suffered fractures in their waist, was also stable.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Barkuanr Gagrai's waist pain had also improved and the bulletin said that he could be discharged on Friday.
Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and several other dignitaries enquired about Mr Munda's health and wished him speedy recovery.
Mr Munda also congratulated girl students of the state for their fine performance in the matriculation examinations as they occupied six spots in the top ten list.
"The matriculation results are good. The students should work harder to accomplish better results," the release quoting him said.
It was all the more satisfying with six girls emerging in the list of top ten successful students and 11 in the top 15 list as Jharkhand is celebrating 'Year for Girl Child', Mr Munda said.
Results for the tenth class was declared during the day with pass figure registering at 67.35 per cent, the release said.