Bhubaneswar: Around one crore ‘diyas’ were lit across Odisha Thursday evening to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and several others participating in the ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ programme at the Mukteswar Temple here.
Similar programmes were organised in all 30 districts of the state to mark Modi’s birthday.
Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Minister Suresh Pujari were among those who participated in the programme at the temple.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said around one crore ‘diyas’ (lamps) were lit on the occasion and every family joined the state-wide initiative by lighting a lamp at home.
Members of self-help groups and beneficiaries of the Subhadra Yojana also participated in the programme, it said.
Majhi offered the ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ before Lord Mukteswar, praying for Modi’s long and healthy life and continued success as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’.
“The lamp stands as a symbol of our affection and respect for the Honourable Prime Minister’s 25 years of unwavering, unparalleled and selfless public service, as well as his epoch-making journey in nation-building,” Majhi wrote on X.
As a dedicated ‘Pradhan Sevak’, Modi’s leadership and resolve aimed at the welfare of the people had “ignited a new awakening of patriotism and a spirit of service in the heart of every Indian”, he said.
“This flame of blessings and gratitude will continue to inspire us to fill our society with the new light of service, goodwill, hope and progress, while advancing our resolve to build a ‘Prosperous Odisha’ and a ‘Developed India’,” Majhi said.
Extending his greetings and best wishes to Modi on his 76th birthday, the chief minister said, “The flame of this sacred lamp symbolises the blessings emanating from the hearts of the 4.5 crore people of Odisha for Modi-ji. India will certainly become a ‘Vishwa Guru’ (global leader), and we will continue our relentless efforts to realise Modi-ji’s vision.”
Meanwhile, the BJP’s youth wing organised a mega blood donation camp in Bhubaneswar to mark the occasion.
Majhi inaugurated the camp in the morning, during which 8,810 units of blood were collected from party leaders, workers and volunteers.
State Housing and Urban Development Minister K C Mahapatra, coordinator of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, said 8,810 units were collected at the camp during the day.
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