Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday called on people across Odisha to light an ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ on Sept 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday, as part of a statewide campaign marking his five decades in public life and 25 years in leadership positions.In a video message shared on social media, Majhi urged families, particularly beneficiaries of govt welfare schemes, to offer prayers for the Prime Minister’s long life and good health and share photographs and videos of the initiative online. The appeal forms part of a month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ being launched to commemorate Modi’s public service journey.According to Majhi, the campaign will include programmes such as Seva Jyoti Yatra, NaMo Seva Chronicle, Bharat of Dreams, Stories of Change and Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, besides tree plantation drives and blood donation camps. Describing Modi’s tenure as transformative, Majhi said the Prime Minister’s leadership has played a key role in building a stronger, more prosperous and self-reliant India. He appealed to people to light the symbolic lamp at their homes, temples or other prominent locations on Sept 17.The chief minister also encouraged beneficiaries of welfare schemes to use the occasion to express their gratitude and blessings. “Let every diya carry our love, gratitude and prayers for Modi ji’s long, healthy and blessed life,” he said, adding that collective participation would strengthen the vision of a developed India.The BJP has planned a series of outreach and service-oriented activities across the country around the Prime Minister’s birthday, with Odisha expected to witness extensive participation in the campaign.
