New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- From blood donation camps to lighting of diyas and prayers at temples -- the BJP organised several programmes across states to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years in public service as chief ministers across the political spectrum on Thursday wished him long life on his 76th birthday.
Praising Modi's commitment to public service, NDA chief ministers called him the "architect of new India" and expressed hope that India would realise the vision of a self-reliant and developed nation under his leadership.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath linked Modi's 25-year journey in public life to the "changing face" of India's villages and said the impact of his resolve for service could be seen in the stories of self-reliance in rural areas.
Addressing the launch of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi, Adityanath said, "Bina ruke, bina dige, bina thake (without stopping, without wavering, without tiring), with the mantra of 'charai-veti, charaiveti (march on)', he continued this journey."
The BJP launched the nationwide Seva Sankalp Abhiyan from September 17 to October 17 to mark Modi's birthday, with programmes featuring lamp-lighting, youth engagement and public-participation activities.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said under Modi's leadership, India was moving forward on the path of development.
Addressing a programme in Kolkata, Adhikari said the prime minister's birthday on September 17 will be observed as 'Annapurna Divas' in the state every year as the Rs 3,000 monthly assistance under the scheme was guaranteed by him.
The BJP government in the state also held a series of programmes on the occasion. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said PM Modi has "steered the nation forward with unwavering resolve".
Welfare, social justice, rapid infrastructure development and an uncompromising commitment to national security have been the hallmarks of the PM's long public life, Sarma said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu lauded Modi's leadership as well as the NDA for "giving stability" to the country.
In Gujarat's Vadnagar, PM Modi's birthplace, Union Home Minister Amit Shah flagged off a bike rally to Varanasi to mark his birthday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were also present.
Similarly, a bike rally to Vadnagar was launched in Varanasi, Modi's parliamentary constituency, in the presence of senior BJP leaders including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and CM Adityanath.
In Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, the banks of the sacred Kshipra river glowed with the light of more than 25 lakh diyas, marking a mega celebration for Modi's birthday.
BJP president Nitin Nabin and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav lit earthen lamps and released them in the holy river at Ramghat.
Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar town of Gujarat's Mehsana district, Modi turned 76 on Thursday.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said PM Modi does not celebrate his birthday, so they have decided to organise various programmes on the occasion.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said India is scripting a new story of development under PM Modi's leadership. CMs of non-NDA states also extended greetings to PM Modi.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.