Women symbolically celebrate 'Rakshabandhan' with a cut-out of PM Modi on August 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 72 on Saturday and marked his birthday by addressing four events covering fields as diverse as wildlife and the launch of logistics policy, as greetings poured in from leaders and other prominent personalities.
Dignitaries like President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar praised his ''nation-building project and transformative vision'' while many others, including his Cabinet colleagues, hailed his contribution to making a "strong and self-reliant" India.
The ruling BJP launched a 15-day "seva" (service) exercise with its president J P Nadda asserting that serving people to mark the birthday of the party's foremost leader is in keeping with his vision.
He also inaugurated an exhibition on the prime minister's life at the party headquarters here.
It was a busy day for PM Modi who began a hectic schedule by releasing cheetahs brought from Namibia at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, under a landmark project seven decades after the animal was declared extinct in the country.
Stating that the 'Project Cheetah' was his government's endeavour towards environment and wildlife conservation, he also had a go at previous dispensations for making no "constructive efforts" to revive the population of the world's fastest animal in India.
He also addressed women self-help group members at Sheopur in the state in another event.
Here are the highlights of PM Modi's birthday:
Get NDTV UpdatesTurn on notifications to receive alerts as this story develops.
Congress Celebrates PM's Birthday By Frying "Pakoras"
Congress leaders and workers celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 72nd birthday on Saturday as the 'National Unemployment Day' and expressed their anger by frying 'pakoras' (fritters) in Gurgaon.
Local Congress leader Pankaj Dawar along with dozens of youths staged their protest near the Ghanteswar temple here against unemployment, corruption and rising inflation in the country.
The protesters said on occasion of PM Modi's birthday, they are trying to bring his attention to the rapidly rising level of unemployment in the country, but they are not paying attention.
Lakhs Of Mothers Blessing Me Today: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he enjoys the blessings of "lakhs of mothers" and described women as his biggest strength and inspiration.
Addressing a convention of self-help groups at Karahal in Sheopur district after releasing three of the eight cheetahs flown in from Namibia earlier in the day into a special enclosure at the Kuno National Park, PM Modi said his mother would be very much pleased with the outpouring of blessings from women.
The prime minister said if he is not occupied with anything important he prefers to celebrate his birthday with his mother, who lives in Gandhinagar, to seek her blessings.
Mamata Banerjee Wishes PM Modi On Birthday
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday extended her greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of his 72nd birthday.
CM Banerjee, a vocal critic of the PM, prayed for his good health.
Taking to Twitter, the TMC supremo wrote, "Heartiest greetings to the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji on his 72nd birthday. I pray to God for your good health and happiness."
PM Modi on Saturday released cheetahs brought from Namibia into a special enclosure at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.
Dalai Lama Wishes PM Modi On Birthday
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Saturday wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 72nd birthday and prayed for his good health.
In a letter to PM Modi, the Dalai Lama offered his warmest good wishes and prayers for the prime minister's continued good health. The spiritual leader also extolled India's efforts in meeting the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's wonderful that India has successfully met the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Although we have not seen the complete end to it, India today is better placed to address similar challenges in the future.
"As the longest-staying guest in India, I have observed its development first hand. Now the country is also a rising economic power and a leader in science and technology," he stated in the letter.
15-Day Blood Donation Drive Begins On PM's Birthday
A 15-day blood donation drive began on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on Saturday, with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya donating blood at a camp set up at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.
So far, 5,980 camps have been approved across the country and around 1,50,000 donors have registered, an official said, adding close to 45,000 people have donated blood.
Mr Mandaviya urged citizens to register on the Aarogya Setu app or e-Raktkosh portal to donate blood as part of the 'Raktdaan Amrit Mahotsav', which will be held till October 1 -- National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.
JP Nadda Launches Exhibition On PM Modi's Life
On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda inaugurated an exhibition on the various aspects of his life from his childhood to becoming the leader of the nation.
Mr Nadda also launched a blood donation camp organised at BJP headquarters. The party is holding similar exhibitions and campaigns in others states also.
Speaking to mediapersons, Mr Nadda said, "We all know Prime Minister Narender Modi's life is dedicated to human service and that is why we decided to celebrate his birthday as Sewa Pakhwada."
"Our crores of workers have organised blood donations camps, free health check-up camps, spending their day by caring and helping patients at hospitals. Cleanliness drives are also being carried out throughout the country. Exhibition showing everything about PM Modi from his childhood adventures to his political career and various policies launched by him during the COVID times including his foreign tours," he added.
"Today Mothers Of Madhya Pradesh Have Blessed Me": PM Modi PM Modi while addressing an event in Madhya Pradesh said that although he did not meet his mother today to seek blessings for his birthday, he was blessed by all the mothers in the state.
"Normally I meet my mother on my birthday and seek her blessings; today so many mothers of Madhya Pradesh have blessed me," he said.
Free Healthcare Camp Organised In Mumbai For PM's Birthday: Maharashtra MLADr. Bharati Lavekar, a BJP MLA of Versova, Mumbai tweeted that in honour of PM Modi's birthday a free healthcare camp was organised in ward 60.
TRS President K Chandrashekar Rao Wishes PM On His Birthday
Dalia Lama Writes Letter To PM, Expresses "Deep Gratitude" To IndiaOn the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, the Dalai Lama has written to him to offer his warmest good wishes and prayers for his continued good health.
He wrote, "It's wonderful that India has successfully met the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Although we have not seen the complete end to it, India today is better placed to address similar challenges in the future."
"As the longest-staying guest in India I have observed its development first hand. Now the country is also a rising economic power and a leader in science and technology," he said, adding that India's strong democratic foundation is an example of peace and stability.
"I am delighted to say India is poised to assume its rightful place in the world," the Dalia Lama said.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Extends Birthday Wishes To PM Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his counterpart in Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday.
"Greetings to Prime Minister of the country Narendra Modi ji on his birthday," Mr Mann said in his tweet.
"Birthday greetings to respected @narendramodi ji, who undertook a historic journey from a worker to the post of Prime Minister on the strength of selfless service," Manohar Lal Khattar said in a tweet.
Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also greeted the PM.
"Warm birthday greetings to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. May god bless you with a long & healthy life in the service of our nation," he said in a tweet.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa tweeted: "Warm Birthday wishes to Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. God bless you with good health and long life."
Rahul Gandhi's Birthday Wish For PM Modi
"A Symbol Of Service, Dedication": Amit Shah On PM Modi's BirthdayUnion Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday calling him the creator of a safe, strong and self-reliant "New India" and a symbol of service and dedication.
In a series of tweets in Hindi, Mr Shah said with the parallel coordination of welfare of poor, good governance, development, national security and historical reforms, the Prime Minister has fulfilled his resolve to establish 'Maa Bharati' again at the top of the world.
He said all this has been possible only because of a decisive leadership and the unwavering faith of the people in that leadership.
"The life of the creator of a safe, strong and self-reliant New India Narendra Modi is a symbol of service and dedication. For the first time after independence, by giving their rights to crores of poor, Modi has instilled a sense of hope and faith in them. Today every section of the country is standing with Modi like a rock," he said.
Blood Donation Drives Across 2000 Locations For PM's Birthday: BJP's Tejasvi Surya Extending wishes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, Tejasvi Surya said that the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha is organising blood donation drives at more than 2000 locations in the country.
"Lakhs of young people will also register on https://eraktkosh.in to donate blood in times of need, creating the largest repository of blood donors in country," he tweeted.
Cheetahs Land In Gwalior, To Be Released In Madhya Pradesh By PM SoonThe special chartered cargo flight, bringing eight cheetahs from Namibia, lands at the Indian Air Force Station in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the cheetahs into Kuno National park in MP today, on his birthday.
"The cats are under very mild sedation, but they are not tranquilised. They are all looking great," said Dr Laurie Marker, world's leading expert on cheetahs, who is on the jet with the big cats.
Read about the latest updates on the cheetahs
here.
PM Modi Extends Wishes For 'Vishwakarma Jayanti'PM Modi on his birthday wished the country on the occasion of Lord Vishwakarma Jayanti. He tweeted, "On this occasion, my heartfelt greetings to the Karma yogis associated with all kinds of creative work along with Navnirman and Navsrjan. Your skill and duty is going to take the country to new heights in the eternity."
Delhi Restaurant To Offer 56-Inch Thali For PM's Birthday TodayTo commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17, a restaurant in Lutyens' Delhi will be serving a 56-inch thali for 10 days, the restaurant owner said. Two lucky winners will also get a chance to visit the Kedarnath shrine as part of the scheme.
Ardor 2.1 restaurant, located in Connaught Place, is famous for its thalis, said its owner Suveett Kalra.
"We are huge fans of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our restaurant is known for its thalis. The 56-inch thali is an assimilation of 56 dishes culminated into a single thali. It is to commemorate his birthday and to honour what he has done for the country and its citizens," Mr Kalra told PTI.
BJP Mahila Morcha Organises Nationwide Tree Plantation Drive For PM's Birthday
"PM Has Given New Dimension To Indian Politics": Rajnath Singh Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised PM Modi's governance and leadership in his birthday wishes to him.
He said, "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to the illustrious Prime Minister of India on his birthday. He has given unprecedented strength to progress and good governance in the country under his leadership and has given new heights to India's prestige and self-respect all over the world."
Additionally, he said that PM Modi has given a new dimension to politics in the country. "(He has) given full importance to the welfare of the poor along with development ... He has a strong hold on the pulse of the country. May they take India's honor and respect to new heights," Mr Singh said.