Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday on September 17 has been marked by a series of events across the country, with BJP-ruled states organising religious programmes, public-service initiatives, cultural events and symbolic celebrations as part of the party’s month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’. The campaign also marks 25 years since Modi began holding constitutional public office in 2001.
In West Bengal, the celebrations included the unveiling of a 5.7-foot wax statue of Narendra Modi at the BJP’s state headquarters in Kolkata. The statue was created by Asansol-based sculptor Sushanta Roy, who worked on it for nearly two months. Roy said he had long wanted to create a wax figure of Modi and chose a Bengali dhuti-kurta for the statue.
The statue was transported from Asansol to Kolkata after Roy was unable to present it personally to the Prime Minister because of official protocol. It was subsequently unveiled at the BJP Bengal headquarters under the supervision of state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya. According to NDTV, Roy based the figure on Modi’s appearance at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on May 4.
Puja and Yagna in Bengal
Birthday observances in Kolkata also included religious programmes at Thanthania Kalibari, where puja, yagna and aarti were organised. Organisers said prayers were offered for Modi’s long life and well-being, while 76 Tulsi plants were distributed to mark his 76th birthday.
The event was among several programmes organised in West Bengal as part of the birthday observances, alongside other public and cultural activities.
According to The Telegraph, West Bengal has planned an ‘Ashirbadon Ki Diya’ programme involving more than one crore families. Diyas are also scheduled to be lit at prominent locations including the Nabanna complex, Victoria Memorial, the old Writers’ Buildings and religious sites such as Kalighat Temple.
The state has also planned a range of youth-focused activities, including drawing, elocution, debate and quiz competitions involving students. A play titled ‘Namo-Seva’ is also scheduled to be performed at colleges as part of the wider programme.
BJP-Ruled States Roll Out Different Programmes
The birthday celebrations extend well beyond Bengal. The Telegraph reported that Gujarat plans to light more than 88 lakh earthen lamps at around 18,500 locations, while Uttar Pradesh has announced multiple programmes spanning villages and gram panchayats.
Madhya Pradesh has combined the celebrations with government project announcements, including programmes related to Yamuna cleaning and rejuvenation, public works and power infrastructure, alongside a blood donation drive targeting 2,500 units. Odisha, meanwhile, has encouraged people to light diyas at homes, temples or public places and share photographs and videos online. 
Meanwhile, Modi began his birthday by inaugurating the SEMICON India conference in New Delhi. At the event, delegates applauded and extended birthday greetings before he began his address.
