PM Modi turns 72: President Murmu, Rahul Gandhi, others pour in wishes

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 72 on Saturday, with politicians and dignitaries extending their best wishes to him. His birthday is often marked with development initiatives while the BJP launches 'Seva' (service) activities.

PM Modi will be speaking at four programs linked to diverse fields.

One of the biggest highlights of his birthday will be the eight cheetahs that were brought from Namibia and will be released by the prime minister into the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh around 10:45 am. Notably, the big cat was extinct in the country in 1952 due to sport hunting, overhunting, and habitat loss.

Wishing him, President Droupadi Murmu said in a tweet, "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday. I wish that the nation-building campaign being carried out by you with incomparable hard work, dedication, and creativity, continues to progress under your leadership. I wish that God bless you with good health and long life." (sic)

PM Modi's ministerial colleagues paid fulsome tributes to his leadership and administrative acumen as they wished him on his birthday.

Home Minister Amit Shah hailed him as the flag-bearer of Indian culture who has connected the country to its roots and led it forward in every field.

Under his farsighted leadership, India has emerged as a world power and he has distinguished himself as a global leader respected by the world, Shah said.

PM Modi's life symbolizes service and dedication, he said, calling him the builder of a secure, strong, and 'aatmanirbhar' new India.

"Wishing PM Narendra Modi a happy birthday," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

"Birthday greetings to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri@narendramodi ji. Praying for your long and healthy life," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

An RSS pracharak from a young age, PM Modi was drafted into the BJP's organisation and later became Gujarat chief minister in 2001.

Since then, he has achieved the unique feat of never losing the state and now the national election when he has been the face of the party. He led the BJP to win in three consecutive Gujarat assembly polls in 2002, 2007, and 2012 and then in the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019.