New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- Around 1.25 lakh earthen lamps were lit from Kartavya Path to Seva Teerth at Vijay Chowk on Thursday as part of the 'Aashirwad Ka Diya' programme organised by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday.

The programme was held as part of 'Seva Diwas' and saw the participation of beneficiaries of Central government schemes, NDMC employees, students and teachers. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union minister of state and Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra, New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj, NDMC chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi and vice-chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal were among those present.

Gupta said the lamps represented citizens' wishes for the Prime Minister's long life and good health. "The manner in which Delhiites lit 'Ek Diya Aashirwad Ka' away from their homes today at Kartavya Path, outside Seva Teerth, is a beautiful expression of the affection, respect and trust that the people have for the Prime Minister," she said.

Malhotra said the occasion was significant as Modi had completed 25 years in public life. He said the diyas symbolised the "affection, respect and gratitude" of citizens and conveyed their wishes for his continued health and energy.

Swaraj said the Prime Minister had completed 25 years of continuous public service and noted that citizens had gathered at Vijay Chowk to pray for his health and long life. She also referred to projects around the area, including the new Parliament building, Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans, saying these were steps towards the government's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'.

Dwivedi said the lighting of 1.25 lakh diyas reflected "service, dedication and the spirit of nation-building". He said the collective participation of NDMC officers, employees and other participants was intended to reinforce their commitment towards public welfare.

Chahal said the programme provided beneficiaries of government schemes an opportunity to express their experiences and gratitude. "Diya of Blessings is not merely a programme of lighting lamps, but a medium to express the feelings of those who have benefitted from various government schemes and facilities," he said. Separately, the Delhi government organised the launch of two special songs at the Delhi Secretariat under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.