Prime Minister Narendra Modi will turn 76 on Thursday, and across India, political organizations and citizen groups are organizing a series of events under the "Seva-Sankalp Abhiyan" (Service Pledge Campaign) to mark the occasion. The celebrations will culminate in an evening candlelight vigil where citizens are being asked to light oil lamps — known as "Ashirwad Ke Diye" or Lamps of Blessings — between 6 pm and 7 pm on Thursday.
In Madhya Pradesh, preparations are underway to light approximately 58 lakh (5.8 million) oil lamps, making it one of the largest single-city observances in the country. Officials have reported that distribution of diyas has already begun across districts in the state.
The most prominent event of the day is a 1,300-kilometer motorcycle yatra that links Vadnagar in Gujarat — Modi's birthplace — with Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, his Lok Sabha constituency. Union Home Minister Amit Shah formally inaugurated the ride on Wednesday. The yatra is a two-way affair: one contingent will travel from Vadnagar to Varanasi, while another will simultaneously depart from Varanasi toward Vadnagar on the same day. Both groups are expected to converge at a conclusion point on October 7.
About 600 young riders from across the country are participating in the motorcycle convoy. The route passes through 193 districts spanning 10 states, giving the yatra a pan-India character. Organizers say the ride aims to spread a message of service and national unity, with each district stop featuring local cultural programs and awareness drives.
BJP President J.P. Nadda has also been associated with coordinating the party-wide activities related to the birthday celebrations, though details of his specific role were not fully disclosed in initial reports.
