Kolkata, Sept. 17 -- The West Bengal BJP on Thursday organised the "Ashirwad Ka Diya" campaign across the state to mark PM Modi's 76th birthday and his completion of 25 years in public service.
The initiative formed part of the BJP's nationwide month-long "Seva Sankalp Abhiyan", with the state unit planning around 12 programmes over the next month.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attended a mega event at Baja Kadamtala Ghat in Kolkata, where one lakh earthen lamps were lit despite heavy rain. Adhikari lit the lamps along with cabinet colleagues Tapas Roy and Indranil Khan. He said the campaign was being held across the country to congratulate Modi for completing 25 years in administration and expressed the party's aspiration to see him become a "Vishwa Guru". The celebrations also illuminated Kolkata landmarks, with Eden Gardens and Howrah Bridge lit up for the occasion. BJP workers across the state lit diyas at homes and temples between 6 pm and 7 pm, praying for Modi's good health and long life. The distribution of clay lamps also provided a seasonal boost to local potters and clay artisans ahead of the festive season.
The BJP observed the occasion as "Seva Diwas", organising health camps, cleanliness drives and blood donation camps across Bengal. State government departments also arranged illuminated barges, traditional boats, laser and fire shows and around one lakh electric diyas.
Earlier, BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya unveiled a statue of Modi at the party office in Salt Lake and joined the "Ashirwad Ka Diya" programme at Esplanade Metro station.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.