On His 66th Birthday, Modi Seeks Mother’s Blessings in Gandhinagar

This is Modi’s third visit in recent times to Gujarat, where Assembly elections are due next year.

Narendra Modi and his mother Hira Ba. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@narendramodi)

On the morning of his 66th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his mother Hira Ba at their residence in Gandhinagar and sought her blessings. Modi wasn’t accompanied by a carcade or any officials – he instead chose to travel in a single car.

India Wishes PM Modi

Modi was greeted by President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and other prominent persons on his 66th birthday. Modi, who is in Gujarat, received birthday greetings from President and Vice President over phone. 

Sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik’s sand sculpture in Puri, Odisha on Modi’s birthday. (Photo: ANI)

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on a visit here, also wished him over phone. Chief Justice of India T S Thakur personally met Modi at Raj Bhawan in Gandhinagar to greet him, official sources said.

Grand Reception At Ahmedabad Airport

Modi was accorded a grand reception in Ahmedabad on Friday, as he landed at the airport.

This is the PM’s third visit in recent times to Gujarat, where Assembly elections are due next year.

On his previous visit to the state, he had promised that he will be visiting more often, which is crucial for the upcoming elections, keeping in mind the recent outbreak of Dalit and Patel agitations.

Also Read: As Modi Visits Ahmedabad, Dalit Activist Jignesh Mevani Arrested

Modi thanked Gujarat BJP leaders and party workers upon his arrival and drove to the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar where he spent the night.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers hold placards of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the eve of his birthday at the railway station in Ranchi on Friday. (Photo: PTI)

Modi’s Birthday Itinerary

Besides meeting his mother, Modi on Saturday will meet other family members, said Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya. Modi’s mother lives with his younger brother Pankaj Modi in Gandhinagar.

Later, he will be going to the tribal district of Dahod to inaugurate various irrigations projects.

Dahod Collector Lalit Padaliya said the inauguration ceremony will be held at Limkheda town, around 25 km from the city, and the PM will also address a rally there.

Later in the afternoon, he will be going to Navsari, where he is scheduled to take part in a function where aid will be distributed among differently-abled people.

(With inputs from PTI)