PM Modi Turns 76: Leaders Across Spectrum Extend Wishes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Thursday, September 17, with leaders across India’s political spectrum extending birthday greetings and highlighting his 25 years in public life.

President Droupadi Murmu praised Modi’s record in governance, saying his tenures as Gujarat chief minister and prime minister had set new benchmarks for good governance and provided momentum and a new direction to inclusive development.

Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted Modi’s journey from an ordinary BJP volunteer to the country’s highest political office. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan credited Modi’s leadership with India’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, pointing to developments in digital technology, space, healthcare, infrastructure and manufacturing.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Modi’s journey from Gujarat chief minister to prime minister had provided “a new momentum to India’s growth story”.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also extended birthday wishes to the prime minister and wished him a long and healthy life.

Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar, Gujarat, Modi entered public office as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 and became prime minister in 2014. He is set to complete 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7.

In her message, President Murmu said Modi had advanced modern progress while maintaining a sense of cultural pride, describing the development as a blend of heritage and progress. She also prayed for his good health and long life so that he could continue his public service and nation-building efforts.

Radhakrishnan also cited India’s progress across several sectors and said more than 25 crore Indians had moved out of extreme poverty.