Diyas, Annapurna Yojana, blood donation camps: How BJP celebrated PM Modi's 76th birthday

The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s 76th birthday and 25 years in public office as head of government by lighting lamps, organising blood donation camps and cleanliness drives, and launching a month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in which debates and quizzes will be held in schools across India and BJP workers would meet beneficiaries of the government schemes.

On Thursday, Modi released the fourth instalment of Annapurna Yojana in West Bengal and said on the scheme providing ₹ 3,000 per month to women was a big boost for Nari Shakti in the state. Around 15 million women are receiving a monthly assistance of ₹ 3000 in their bank accounts under one of the West Bengal government ’s flagship welfare schemes. “Your trust is my strength. Today, new capabilities have been added to the mothers and sisters of Bengal. When they have less worry about necessary expenses, their self-confidence increases even more. This is a huge support for their lives. This is a big help,” the Prime Minister said.

West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said while addressing the same gathering that every year the state would celebrate Annapurna Divas on September 17, which is also Modi’s birthday. “Every year this day will be celebrated as Annapurna Divas. Annapurna Yojana was a guarantee made by Modi ji (as a poll-promise ahead of the 2026 assembly elections in the state that the BJP swept). Today is his (Modi’s) birthday,” Adhikari said.

In Maharashtra , the BJP lit diyas (earthern lamps) at 10,000 locations across the city including tourist destinations such as Gateway of India and Juhu Chowpatty. Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurated a blood donation camp at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan on Thursday. Asked about his experience while working with the PM, CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “There are many experiences. But I can say that Modi ji is like a kind of university from which you can keep learning continuously.”

In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha celebrated the PM’s birthday with children of ‘Palaash’ and ‘Pareesha’ children’s homes in Srinagar. He distributed school bags, sports kits and sweets, and reviewed residential facilities. He later visited the Children’s Hospital at Bemina to meet young patients.

“Until 17 October, Seva Setu Abhiyan will be run at block and ward level, with 3-4 day camps to register deprived beneficiaries for government schemes. I appeal every citizen of J&K to participate wholeheartedly,” LG Sinha said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended his wishes and asked the PM to grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav inaugurated a blood donation camp at the government Jaiprakash Hospital in Bhopal as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ and added that blood donation drives were being conducted at more than 290 locations across the state.

In Indore, BJP president Nitin Nabin launched the Madhya Pradesh government’s scheme for free registration of five million rural properties and criticised the Opposition for ‘ignoring’ India’s rising global stature as seen at the recent Brics Summit.