Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 75th birthday on Wednesday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organizing a two-week-long “Sewa Pakhwada” across the country. The campaign, running until October 2, features a variety of outreach and welfare initiatives including health camps, cleanliness drives, fairs promoting indigenous products, and meetings with intellectuals. Both the central government and BJP-led states are participating in the programmes.

On his birthday, Modi is visiting Dhar in Madhya Pradesh to inaugurate a nationwide drive focused on women’s and children’s health and nutrition. He will also roll out development schemes targeting the tribal population and address a public gathering.

Leaders across the political spectrum extended their wishes to the Prime Minister. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised Modi’s leadership, describing him as a visionary who has enhanced India’s global stature while prioritizing welfare for the underprivileged. BJP president J.P. Nadda highlighted Modi’s role in advancing the vision of an “Aatmanirbhar” and “Viksit Bharat,” aimed at inclusive progress.

Since becoming Prime Minister in 2014, Modi has guided the BJP to unprecedented electoral success and expanded its base nationwide, far surpassing the Congress in influence and reach. While the party faced a setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls after falling short of a majority, it has since regained momentum, registering notable victories in Haryana and Maharashtra assembly elections. The launch of Sewa Pakhwada underscores both the BJP’s political mobilization strategy and Modi’s continued centrality in Indian politics.