How Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, others wished PM Modi on his birthday

Defence minister Rajnath Singh extended his greetings and said India was moving towards the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ under Modi’s leadership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Thursday. Political leaders across parties extended birthday greetings, while some also used the occasion to speak about their views on his government and political record.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi kept his message brief. “Happy birthday to PM Narendra Modi ji. Wishing you good health and a long life,” Gandhi posted on X. Track PM Modi's birthday celebrations live here

Defence minister Rajnath Singh extended his greetings and said India was moving towards the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ under Modi’s leadership. He highlighted infrastructure, digital connectivity, welfare, innovation and entrepreneurship, and said efforts were being made to improve ease of living and expand opportunities.

Singh also said Modi had placed good governance and public service at the centre of the country’s development journey. He wished the prime minister good health, long life and continued strength in the service of the nation.

Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, however, took a sharply critical view in his birthday message.

Referring to his allegation of voter-list tampering in Delhi, Kejriwal wrote on X: “So, this is how Modi ji won Delhi. By massively tampering with the voter lists. Congratulations Modi ji for killing Indian democracy Happy birthday @narendramodi.”

Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also wished Modi good health and a long life. “We pray for Modi ji’s good health and long life because he is the man who is leading us to developed India,” Rijiju said in his birthday message.

Rijiju had earlier asked people to light a ‘Lamp of Blessings’ at their homes between 6 pm and 7 pm on Thursday and pray for Modi’s long life and good health as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’.

Several other leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu, vice president C P Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, home minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, also wished Modi on his 76th birthday.

Amit Shah also extended birthday wishes to PM Modi, describing him as a symbol of “tireless hard work, sacrifice, and foresight”.

On X, Shah said Modi had made “karma his sadhana” and national service the aim of his life, describing his journey of service and dedication as an inspiration for millions.

Shah prayed for Modi’s long life and good health, and said he hoped India would continue to scale new heights of progress under his leadership and move towards the goal of a developed India by 2047.

Shah also shared visuals from the flag-off event of the ‘Vadnagar to Varanasi’ bike rally being held under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ in Vadnagar, Gujarat.

What’s planned for PM Modi’s 76th birthday

Modi’s 76th birthday on September 17 marks the start of the BJP’s month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, running until October 17 to mark his 25 years in public life. The programme includes service activities, public outreach, welfare initiatives and events involving party workers, youth, beneficiaries, students and elected representatives.

‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ — People and beneficiaries of government schemes are being encouraged to light diyas and pray for Modi’s health and long life. The programme is planned across booths, with hundreds of prominent locations also hosting lamp-lighting events.

25 minutes of service — Under ‘Seva Mera Yogdan’, people are being encouraged to spend 25 minutes on service activities, including blood donation, plantation and cleanliness drives.

Blood donation and health camps — Blood donation camps, health camps and other public-service activities are being held across the country.

School competitions — ‘25 Crore Children’s Dreams of India’ includes drawing, speech and other competitions for schoolchildren, with selected entries moving to higher-level exhibitions.

Street plays — Under ‘Namo Seva Gatha’, street plays in villages, schools and colleges will highlight Modi’s 25 years in public life and welfare initiatives.

‘Aangan Ka Utsav’ — Events at Anganwadi centres will focus on workers, mothers and awareness of nutrition and welfare schemes.

‘Kahani Badlav Ki’ — The campaign will collect stories from citizens who say government schemes have changed their lives.

Vadnagar–Varanasi bike yatras — Motorcycle rallies are being launched from both Modi’s birthplace Vadnagar and his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, symbolically connecting his janmabhoomi and karmabhoomi. In Varanasi, 51 service volunteers are also collecting Ganga water and offering Jalabhishek at Kashi Vishwanath Temple before the flag-off.