New Delhi: Born as Narendra Damodardas Modi on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, the Prime Minister rose from humble beginnings to serve as the state’s Chief Minister for three successive terms between 2001 and 2014, and has since been India’s Prime Minister for three terms starting in 2014.
As with every year, the Bharatiya Janata Party is observing Sewa Pakhwara — a fortnight-long series of events across the nation that highlights Modi’s emphasis on welfare initiatives and service to the people.
Unlike traditional birthday festivities, Narendra Modi has often chosen to spend the day connecting with citizens, inaugurating development schemes, or participating in public service activities.
2024: On his 74th birthday, the Prime Minister was in Odisha, where he met beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). In Bhubaneswar, he inaugurated and dedicated several development projects worth more than ₹3,800 crore. He also launched Subhadra, a flagship women-centric scheme of the Odisha government covering over one crore women.
2023: For his 73rd birthday, Modi unveiled the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, aimed at enhancing skills among artisans and craftsmen. He also inaugurated two major infrastructure projects — the India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) and the extended Delhi Airport Express Line. In Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, a 73-kg ladoo was cut to celebrate the occasion.
2022: His 72nd birthday was marked by the release of eight cheetahs into Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, part of India’s cheetah reintroduction programme. Pictures of the Prime Minister photographing the animals quickly went viral.
2021: On his 71st birthday, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country set a record with over 2.26 crore vaccine doses administered in a single day as part of the nationwide vaccination drive.
2020: Modi’s 70th birthday saw subdued events, as the nation remained under pandemic restrictions. The BJP observed Sewa Saptah, organizing ration distribution drives and blood donation camps for those in need.
2019: On his 69th birthday, Modi celebrated in Gujarat, addressing a gathering at Kevadiya near the Statue of Unity. The Namami Narmada festival was also observed to mark the filling of the dam to its full capacity of 138.88 metres, a symbolic milestone in his home state.
Through the years, Narendra Modi’s birthdays have been shaped by public outreach, welfare initiatives, and symbolic acts rather than personal celebrations, reflecting his focus on service and development.