The BJP organised programmes across several states, including blood donation camps, diya lighting and prayers, to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public service and his 76th birthday.
Chief ministers across the political spectrum extended birthday wishes, while NDA leaders praised Modi’s public service and described him as an “architect of new India”.
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his 25 years as Chief Minister and Prime Minister had set new benchmarks in governance and given fresh momentum and direction to inclusive development. She wished him good health and a long life to continue his work in public service and nation-building.
Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan praised Modi’s leadership, highlighting India’s economic growth, digital transformation and progress across sectors, while saying more than 25 crore people had moved out of extreme poverty.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Modi’s 25-year public journey had contributed to the changing face of rural India and growing self-reliance in villages.
The BJP’s ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ campaign urged people to light diyas at home on September 17 and pray for Modi’s long life and success. Composer Aman Pant and singer Sneha Shankar also released a song of the same name as part of the month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’.
A world record was set in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, where 33.27 lakh diyas were lit simultaneously along the Kshipra river to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. The lamps were lit within three minutes at 7pm as part of the BJP’s ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ programme. Across Madhya Pradesh, 3.55 crore diyas were lit, with celebrations drawing large public participation.
BJP president Nitin Nabin, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and other leaders joined the celebrations at Ram Ghat, while volunteers lit diyas at several ghats and took part in the Shipra Aarti. Similar displays were held across the country, including along Kartavya Path in Delhi, the Gateway of India and Bandra-Worli Sea Link in Mumbai, Namo Ghat in Varanasi and Lal Chowk in Srinagar.
Senior BJP and NDA leaders, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, also flagged off commemorative bike rallies, including a yatra from Modi’s birthplace Vadnagar to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi. The fifth edition of the SEMICON India summit was also launched in New Delhi to coincide with the occasion.
World leaders wish PM Modi on birthday
World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The US Embassy in India also conveyed greetings on behalf of President Donald Trump, while the Russian Embassy said Putin warmly congratulated Modi and praised his role in strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership. Putin also thanked Modi for the warm welcome during his recent New Delhi visit.
Putin and several other leaders attended the 18th BRICS Summit, held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 under India’s chairship.
Putin described his talks with Modi as “substantive, frank and productive”, praising the Indian PM’s political wisdom and expressing his intention to continue cooperation on bilateral and international issues.
Modi, born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, also received birthday greetings from Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu highlighted the growing India-Israel partnership and wished Modi continued health and leadership.
Japanese Ambassador Ono Keiichi and Australian High Commissioner Philip Green also extended greetings, highlighting the strengthening ties between their countries and India. Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman also wished Modi good health and continued success.
Modi, UAE President discuss regional stability
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone to convey birthday wishes and congratulate India on its successful BRICS presidency. The leaders also discussed the West Asia situation and ways to promote regional peace and stability.
According to an Indian readout, they discussed measures to strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including cooperation in energy, defence, technology, investment and healthcare.
The two leaders reviewed developments in West Asia and reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation and coordination to support regional peace, security and stability.
Modi also thanked Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled for attending the BRICS Summit and appreciated the UAE’s cooperation in helping achieve substantive outcomes during India’s presidency.
A key development at the summit was the UAE and Iran joining other members in a joint BRICS declaration on West Asia, calling for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy.
