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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pulled out all the stops. Across states, party units and state governments are orchestrating a slew of service, development, welfare, and symbolic events under the banner of “Seva Pakhwada” or “Seva Diwas” (Service Fortnight / Service Day). The logic: not just celebration, but outreach, visibility, and connecting with citizens through welfare.
Here’s how different states and the Centre are marking the occasion – the scale, the themes, and what it signals politically.
What is “Seva Pakhwada”
“Seva Pakhwada” is a fortnight-long series of service activities organized by the BJP around PM Modi’s birthday (September 17). It typically includes health camps, cleanliness drives, cultural programmes, public exhibitions, promotional fairs (“Vocal for Local”), and other welfare measures. This time, the fortnight stretches from September 17 to October 2.
Key Themes & Major Initiatives
Several recurring themes and some new flagship initiatives stand out:
Health & Welfare Focus
Large numbers of health camps are being organized — maternal/child health, free check-ups, specialist medical care, disease screenings.
New programmes like Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar, designed to focus on women’s health and empowerment.
Efforts against sickle-cell anaemia: special screening cards being issued, awareness campaigns.
Tribal & Marginalised Outreach
Several initiatives target women, children, and tribal populations, particularly from places like Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.
Programmes focused on livelihood, education, sanitation, nutrition in under-served regions.
Environment & Local Pride
Massive tree plantation drives (e.g. Odisha planning 75 lakh saplings) and clean-up campaigns.
Promotion of local products, handicrafts, “Vocal for Local” initiatives.
Infrastructure & Development Projects
Launch of PM Mitra Park (textile park) in Dhar (MP) is part of the celebrations.
In Varanasi, ₹111 crore worth of projects are being inaugurated.
State-level announcements: hospitals, community centres, crèches, and related public services.
Symbolic / Cultural Touches
Exhibitions on PM Modi’s life in several states (e.g., Bengal, Odisha).
Public events like “Namo Yuva Run”, marathons, and youth-driven initiatives.
In some places, discount offers from shops (Gujarat) and special local festivities.
State-Wise Highlights
Here’s a snapshot of what specific states are doing:
Madhya Pradesh
The epicentre of many launches: Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar, distribution of funds to women under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, unveiling of “Suman Sakhi” chatbot for maternal/child health, launching PM Mitra Park in Dhar, etc.
Gujarat
Being PM Modi’s home state, Gujarat has organised massive service drives: 1.42 lakh health and blood donation camps, “Healthy Women, Strong Families” campaign, infrastructure launches, discounts in shops.
Odisha
Planting 75 lakh saplings in one day, exhibitions, fairs promoting local handicrafts.
West Bengal
A week-long programme: exhibition at Indian Museum, health camps, blood donation, eye check-ups, distributing mosquito nets, etc.
Uttar Pradesh
Seva Pakhwada involving health camps, cleanliness, free health services, exhibitions, skill development events. Lucknow is coordinating major events including Poshan Abhiyan and honoring workers.
Tamil Nadu
Free medical camp in Chennai, food distribution, welfare activities spread over two weeks.
Delhi
Launch of many projects under Sewa Pakhwada: crèches for children of women labourers, exhibitions, civic services, etc.
Political & Symbolic Significance
These celebrations are more than birthday festivity; they serve several political and symbolic functions:
Image & Narrative Building
By aligning the birthday with welfare and service, the BJP reinforces the narrative of PM Modi as a leader deeply connected with public service and development. Such symbolism matters in political communication.
Mobilising the Party Machinery
Large-scale campaigns like Seva Pakhwada involve party workers at the ground level, local leaders, volunteers. It energises the base, creates visibility ahead of upcoming electoral battles, and helps the party showcase its reach.
Reinforcing Popular Welfare Scheme Identity
Many of the programmes (health camps, nutrition, women’s welfare) are tied to existing or recent government welfare schemes. Using the birthday provides a focal date around which to launch or highlight them, helping with awareness and perhaps uptake.
Outreach to Marginalised Communities
There is a clear emphasis on tribal areas, women, children, and remote/underserved regions. Politically, this signals inclusivity, potentially aiming to broaden appeal among such communities.
Local Culture + Nationalism
Exhibitions, cultural programmes, local handicrafts and “vocal for local” tie together regional pride with the national figure. This helps the BJP reinforce a cohesive identity that spans regions.
Critique & Challenges (What to Watch For)
While these celebrations are expansive, there are some critiques or potential issues:
Cost vs Sincerity: Such large-scale events have budgetary implications. There may be critiques of prioritising spectacle over sustainable investment, or that announcements do not always translate into on-ground results.
Distribution & Follow-Through: Launching a programme or announcing camps is easier than ensuring high-quality implementation, consistent staffing, medicines, follow-ups, etc.
Politicisation of Welfare: Since state governments under BJP are doing many of these, questions might be asked about whether welfare is being used as a political tool, especially in states with elections coming up.
Overlapping Events Leading to Fatigue: In some places, citizens might see multiple similar programmes overlapping, which could lead to fatigue or confusion (e.g. multiple health camps or exhibitions).
What It Signals Ahead
The celebrations may serve as a kick-off of sorts for the run-up to key state or national elections. By showing governance and welfare delivery, the BJP can try to consolidate its base while reaching out to swing communities.
A successful execution (camps, exhibitions, visible results) could strengthen the government’s narrative ahead of Budget cycles, election manifestos, and public opinion polls.
Cultural and environmental initiatives may also set the tone for future programmes; for instance, the prominence of “Vocal for Local”, plantations etc., may get more emphasis in future policy announcements.
Prime Minister Modi’s 75th birthday is being used by the BJP not just as a milestone, but as a platform. The combination of welfare, development, symbolism, and outreach makes this more than a birthday celebration — it’s a concerted effort to knit together governance, narrative, and politics.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like Economic Times, Business Standard, Desh Gujara, The Times of India, etc.) transparently.]
