On his 74th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to spend his birthday in service, aligning with his philosophy of ‘Seva Parv’ or the festival of service, which has become synonymous with his birthday celebrations.
The day began with PM Modi arriving at Bhubaneswar Airport, where he proceeded to a slum in Gadakana. He participated in a housewarming ceremony for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-Urban), interacting with them to learn about their experiences with the scheme.
This Prime Minister later inaugurated the ‘Subhadra Yojana,’ a pioneering women-oriented scheme to empower over one crore women across the state.
Launching the ‘Subhadra Yojana’ was not merely a policy announcement but also a symbolic gesture towards gender empowerment. Named after Subhadra, sister of Lord Jagannath, the policy reflected cultural reverence alongside policy initiative. This scheme, one of the key promises of the Odisha government, aims to provide financial and social support to women, enhancing their role in societal development.
Celebrations across the nation
PM Modi’s birthday saw a plethora of cultural and community activities across India. In Surat, Gujarat, local businesses offered discounts as a tribute, turning commercial spaces into venues of celebration.
The Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan prepared and distributed 4,000 kilograms of vegetarian langar, showcasing communal harmony and service.
Meanwhile, an international photography exhibition in Delhi captured over 1,000 moments from Mr. Modi’s life, reflecting his journey from a humble background to leading one of the world’s largest democracies.
Wishes from home and abroad
President Droupadi Murmu praised PM Modi’s leadership and wished for his efforts to continue paving the way for India’s development.
Political leaders across the spectrum wished PM Modi, recognizing his contributions to India’s development and international stature.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, also extended their greetings.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Mr. Modi and hoped he would further strengthen the ties between both countries.