New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 69th birthday Tuesday by taking a trip back to his home state of Gujarat.
He began the day with a visit to the Statue of Unity and the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada.
Reached Kevadia a short while ago.
Have a look at the majestic ‘Statue of Unity’, India’s tribute to the great Sardar Patel. pic.twitter.com/B8ciNFr4p7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2019
Prime Minister Modi chose to visit Kevadia to celebrate the Namami Narmada festival that marks the Sardar Sarovar Dam recording its highest water level of 138.68 metres for the first time.
He also performed a puja along with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani to “welcome” the Narmada river water.
Prayers to Maa Narmada, for the peace and prosperity of our nation! pic.twitter.com/9cuHpUf2Rv
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2019
The prime minister then reviewed the tourism infrastructure in Kevadia. He visited the Cactus garden and the Ekta nursery.
Vibrant culture of vibrant Gujarat!
Do visit the Ekta Nursery next time you’re in Kevadia. pic.twitter.com/XySd58pZLb
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2019
At Kevadia there is a unique Cactus Garden, which PM @narendramodi is visiting.
Don’t miss the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the background! pic.twitter.com/rmi8IIFCPy
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 17, 2019
Modi released a basket of butterflies at the Butterfly Garden in Kevadia and named a saffron-coloured plain tiger butterfly as the state butterfly.
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Butterfly Garden in Kevadiya, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/iziHRcMJVq
— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2019
As is now tradition on his birthday, he also met his mother Heeraben and shared a meal with her.
Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets his mother Heeraben Modi at her residence, in Gandhinagar. Today is PM Modi's 69th birthday. pic.twitter.com/vT8X46DfdK
— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2019
Modi’s birthday trends
Prime Minister Modi’s birthday was the number one trending topic in India as leaders from across the political spectrum wished him.
From Chief Minsters Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Nitish Kumar and Jagan Mohan Reddy, to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, the prime minister was flooded with birthday greetings.
My best wishes to Narendra Modi Ji on his 69th birthday. May he be blessed with good health and happiness always?@narendramodi
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 17, 2019
Happy birthday to Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji. We wish him a long and healthy life.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 17, 2019
Birthday greetings to Prime Minister @narendramodi ji
প্রধানমন্ত্রী নরেন্দ্র মোদিজী কে জন্মদিনের শুভেচ্ছা
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 17, 2019
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी को जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। उनके स्वस्थ जीवन एवं दीर्घायु होने की कामना करता हूं।@narendramodi Ji
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) September 16, 2019
Many BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, Dr Harsh Vardhan and Sambit Patra, also wished Modi.
दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति, निर्णायक नेतृत्व और अथक परिश्रम के प्रतीक देश के सर्वाधिक लोकप्रिय नेता प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी को जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।
आपके नेतृत्व में उभरते नये भारत ने विश्व में एक मजबूत, सुरक्षित और विश्वसनीय राष्ट्र के रूप में अपनी पहचान बनाई है।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 17, 2019
He is the ‘Yugpurush’ Bharat had waited for
His life is a textbook of insightful lessons for aspiring leaders
He disrupted the status quo
His bold leadership created a permanent seat of honour for us in modern history
He’s a trailblazer who inspires great dreams#HappyBdayPMModi pic.twitter.com/MV0oBkA7y6— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) September 17, 2019
माँ भारती के सपूत,कर्मयोगी,ओजस्वी विचारक और भारत के यशस्वी प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी को जन्मदिन की बहुत बहुत शुभकामनाएँ।आप को ईश्वर दीर्घायु और सदैव स्वस्थ रहने का वरदान प्रदान करें और आप यूँ ही माँ भारती की सेवा में तत्पर रहें? pic.twitter.com/YV6kriVUSP
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) September 17, 2019
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar commemorated the occasion through a column where he called Modi “a leader par excellence.”
Prime Minister @narendramodi is a communicator par excellence. He speaks directly to the people, creates a bond, and gives them confidence. #HappyBirthdayPMModi #happybirthdaynarendramodi pic.twitter.com/id9ssoNiz5
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) September 17, 2019