Modi heading to Varanasi on 68th birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, beginning Monday, to mark his 68th birthday and participate in a series of public and development-related programmes.

After arriving in Varanasi on Monday afternoon, Modi will travel directly to Narur village, where he is scheduled to interact with children at a primary school supported by the non-profit organisation Room to Read.

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Modi will also attend a screening of a film based on his life during his visit.

Later, at the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) campus, the Prime Minister will interact with students of Kashi Vidyapeeth and children supported through their initiatives.

Modi's birthday generated greetings from political leaders across the political spectrum, with #HappyBDayPMModi trending on Twitter.

President Ram Nath Kovind extended his birthday wishes to Modi and prayed for his long life and continued service to the country.

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu also congratulated the Prime Minister, saying India was making rapid progress under his leadership and gaining a stronger position internationally.

Several Union ministers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, also conveyed their greetings.

Sitharaman described Modi as a leader with a vision for “New India”, while Jaitley wished him good health and a long life and praised his service to the country.

The Opposition Congress also joined in the birthday greetings. Congress president Rahul Gandhi wished Modi good health and happiness. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal also extended his greetings and wished the Prime Minister a long and healthy life.

On Tuesday, the second day of his visit, Modi is scheduled to participate in development programmes at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

According to the PMO, he will lay the foundation stone for several projects with a combined value of more than Rs 500 crore at the BHU amphitheatre.

Among the projects to be inaugurated are the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) for Puraani Kashi and an Atal Incubation Centre at BHU.

The foundation stone will also be laid for a Regional Ophthalmology Centre at BHU.

The visit combines Modi's birthday celebrations with a series of development and public outreach programmes in his parliamentary constituency, where he is scheduled to interact with students, children and beneficiaries of various initiatives.