New Delhi, Sep 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 75 on Wednesday and keeping with his practice of unveiling development programmes from different states on his birthday, Modi travelled to Dhar in Madhya Pradesh to launch a nationwide campaign focusing on the health and nutrition of women and children.
A host of prominent personalities, including world leaders, lauding his leadership, while the ruling BJP organised welfare initiatives under the fortnight-long “Sewa Pakhwada” to mark the birthday of its preeminent leader.
PM Modi said he was overwhelmed by the countless wishes and messages of affection from across the nation and overseas and resolved to continue working with even greater energy and devotion to realise the dream of a Viksit Bharat.
At a public meeting, he hailed the rise of a New India which brought Pakistan “to its knees” during the recent military conflict.
He made a strong pitch for “swadeshi” goods and also launched “Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar” and the eighth annual National Nutrition Month campaigns.
He urged people to buy made-in-India goods. “Shops selling ‘made in India’ goods should have ‘Garv se kaho yeh swadeshi hai’ boards,” he said.
BJP governments in states and the party’s organisation in different places started or have lined up an array of outreach, welfare and awareness programmes covering health camps to cleanliness drives, get-togethers of intellectuals and fairs to promote indigenous products.
The exercise will continue till October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Birthday wishes for Modi, who was born in a poor family in Gujarat’s Vadnagar, poured in.
President Droupadi Murmu praised Prime Minister Modi for instilling a culture of achieving great goals in the country. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said India is making a mark on the global stage and moving steadily towards the goal of a developed nation under his visionary leadership.
BJP leaders and members of other parties extended birthday wishes to Modi. (PTI)
