PM Narendra Modi celebrates his 68th birthday in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 68th birthday on Monday in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi where he interacted with schoolchildren. Modi reached Narur village where he interacted with children of a primary school. Later, at the Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) campus, the Prime Minister interacted with students of the Kashi Vidyapeeth, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is in Malta, called up Modi to wish him on his birthday. "Warm Birthday wishes to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. India is making rapid strides under his visionary leadership and taking its rightful place in the comity of nations. May he be blessed with long and healthy life," said Naidu's Twitter handle.

President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted to wish the Prime Minister on his birthday.  He said, "Birthday greetings to our Prime Minister @narendramodi. Wish him a long life and many years of dedicated service to the people of the country."

BJP chief Amit Shah too wished the PM. He hailed Modi's leadership, saying India under him has become synonymous with development and that he has infused energy into every section of society like never before. India has a government under Modi, which is committed to the development of the poor, farmers and every section of society, the BJP chief said in a tweet.

A special prayer was organised for the Prime Minister in Kashi. Vedpathis in Varanasi held a special 'hawan' and offered prayers on his birthday.

Opposition leader and Congress president Rahul Gandhi also greeted the Prime Minister on his birthday. Gandhi wished good health and happiness to the prime minister on his birthday. "Happy Birthday to our PM, Narendra Modi ji! Wishing him good health and happiness always," he said on Twitter.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished the Prime Minister. She tweeted, "Birthday greetings to Prime Minister @narendramodiji."

The Delhi unit of the BJP kicked off a week-long programme, under which welfare initiatives will be organised by party leaders, to mark the Prime Minister's birthday.