Party and government programs mark Modi’s birthday; Nagaland’s PDA joins in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday on September 17 was marked across the country with a month-long program by the Bharatiya Janata Party, alongside events involving state governments, public institutions and political allies.
The BJP has launched a month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan from September 17 to October 17 to mark Modi’s birthday and 25 years in public life. The campaign includes blood donation drives, health camps, cleanliness programmes, tree plantation, public outreach and activities highlighting government welfare schemes.
In several states, the observance has extended beyond BJP organisational programs.
In Madhya Pradesh, according to The New Indian Express report, the state government has planned activities involving multiple departments, including School Education, Culture, Women and Child Development, Public Relations and Public Health. The programme includes activities in government and private schools and a large-scale diya-lighting event.
In Delhi, along with many other events, government schools were asked to conduct lamp-lighting activities on Modi’s birthday, with students, teachers and parents among those expected to participate, according to DD News.
Odisha has also seen coordination between the BJP organisation and government departments for activities under the campaign, with the program aimed at taking government welfare initiatives to beneficiaries.
The involvement of government institutions has also drawn criticism in some states. In Tripura, Opposition leaders have questioned the use of government resources for Modi birthday programs.
Nagaland’s PDA joins the observance
In Nagaland, the Prime Minister’s birthday was marked by the Naga People’s Front at Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima, where Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio joined party leaders and representatives of parties forming the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance.
Rio used the occasion to praise Modi’s leadership and the Centre’s focus on the Northeast, highlighting schemes including PM-DevINE and the Special Assistance for Capital Investment.
He said the Northeast had moved from the geographical periphery to the centre of India’s developmental and strategic thinking under Modi and called for Nagaland to become a participant in the country’s transformation.
Rio also used the occasion to stress the importance of unity within the PDA, which includes the NPF, BJP, NPP, JD(U), RPI(A) and LJP(RV).
He recalled his association with Modi from their days as chief ministers and referred to their interactions at national forums, a visit to Israel and the period surrounding the 2015 Framework Agreement on the Naga political issue.
According to Rio, Modi had personally reached out to him around the signing of the Framework Agreement and sought his support for efforts towards lasting peace in Nagaland.
Rio also recalled the 2018 NDA campaign launch at Tuensang, which he said he and Modi jointly attended, and Modi’s presence at the swearing-in ceremony of the Nagaland government in 2023.
