PM Modi turns 71, says humbled beyond words as wishes pour in

BJP members also worked to facilitate the COVID-19 vaccination drive on his birthday, and as the day drew to a close, India had administered a record number of well over two crore doses.BJP president J P Nadda launched the mega 20-day public outreach, Seva aur Samarpan, to mark the prime ministers birthday and it will continue till October 7 to also commemorate his 20 years in public life, including the period when he served as Gujarat chief minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 71 on Friday and was greeted by dignitaries, foreign leaders, politicians from a gamut of parties and countless social media users even as the BJP launched a 20-day public exercise with its top brass hailing his leadership. BJP members also worked to facilitate the COVID-19 vaccination drive on his birthday, and as the day drew to a close, India had administered a record number of well over two crore doses.

BJP president J P Nadda launched the mega 20-day public outreach, ''Seva aur Samarpan'', to mark the prime minister's birthday and it will continue till October 7 to also commemorate his 20 years in public life, including the period when he served as Gujarat chief minister. Wishing him a long and healthy life, President Ram Nath Kovind hoped that Modi may continue to serve the nation with his spirit of relentless service.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said Modi's exceptional vision, exemplary leadership and dedicated service have led to an all-around growth of the nation.

He also said amid challenges in the last one year, his efforts to encourage the spirit of self-reliance have borne fruits.

Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Modi, saying he not only gave the country the idea to think ahead of time and fulfil its resolve with hardwork but also made it a reality. Opposition leaders also extended their wishes to him even as the Congress said the country is paying the price for his ''failures'' on several fronts and observed the day as ''unemployment day'', ''anti-farmer day'' and ''high prices day''.

Shah said the country has got a strong and decisive leader in Modi who gave a dignified life to those who were deprived of their rights for decades. Modi brought them in the mainstream of development, he added. Responding to the wishes that kept coming in copious numbers throughout the day, Modi said they have left him humbled and overwhelmed beyond words, and have given him strength to work even harder for the nation.

Thanking those who wished him on his birthday, he said, ''Our shared journey continues...there is much to be done. We will not rest till we have achieved our dream of a strong, prosperous and inclusive India...the India our freedom fighters devoted their lives for. Jai Hind.'' A number of opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of the NCP and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, also extended wishes to Modi. Pawar tweeted, ''Warm Birthday Wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. I wish him good health and happiness.'' Gandhi said, ''Happy birthday, Modi ji.'' Lauding Modi's leadership, Nadda cited decisions like the nullification of Article 370 and banning of instant triple talaq to assert that he did what was considered impossible and none of his predecessors dared to do. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Modi has written many new chapters in development and good governance in his tenure so far and wished that he fulfil his dream of making India a strong, prosperous and proud country.

BJP ally and LJP leader Pashupati Kumar Paras, also a Union minister, called Modi ''another form of God'', and said he was the most successful head of government in India since independence.

World leaders, including Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Nepal's Premier Sher Bahadur Deuba, also greeted him on his birthday and wished him good health and success in leading the country.

Born in Gujarat in 1950, Modi joined Hindutva organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at an early age and was later drafted into the BJP. Made Gujarat chief minister in 2001, Modi has never suffered an electoral setback when votes were cast on his leadership, leading the BJP to power in the state for three consecutive terms and then at the Centre back to back in 2014 and 2019.

The BJP will also be distributing over 14 crore ration kits and holding blood camps besides organising other welfare activities during the 20-day campaign. The Dalai Lama also wished Modi and congratulated him on the growing confidence he has brought among the people, despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In his letter to the prime minister, the Dalai Lama also said that as the most populous democratic nation in the world, India's success benefits not only the people of the country, but also contributes to the development of the world as a whole.