On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday, various colorful programs and welfare festivals were celebrated across the state. From Durgapur to Asansol, and North Dinajpur to Kolkata, an unprecedented festive mood prevailed among common people and political figures alike. Somewhere, cake cutting and laddu distribution took place with the beneficiaries of the Annapurna Yojana, while elsewhere, the day was celebrated in a unique way by bathing the Prime Minister's portrait in 76 liters of milk. On Thursday, in Ward No. 24 of Durgapur, special prayers were offered at the Uttarpolli Kali Temple by the recipients of the Annapurna Yojana, praying for the Prime Minister's long and healthy life. At the same time, in the Nildanga area of Ward No. 12, cakes and biscuits were distributed among common people, Toto drivers, and sanitation workers. On the other hand, in the Maingate area of Ward No. 13, the birthday was celebrated by bathing the Prime Minister's portrait with 76 liters of milk along with the distribution of laddus, which created great enthusiasm and a stir in the local circles.
Annapurna Diwas was also celebrated with great grandeur in Asansol, Paschim Bardhaman district. This special event, organized at the Asansol Rabindra Bhavan, was attended by top administrative officials and dignitaries including Paschim Bardhaman District Magistrate S. Ponnabalam, Asansol Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dilip Mishra, and Asansol North MLA Krishnendu Mukherjee. Additionally, renowned Asansol sculptor Sushant Roy amazed everyone by crafting a life-like wax statue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the successful completion of 25 years of his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Prime Minister of the country. Although the statue could not be handed over directly to the Prime Minister due to government protocol, it was officially inaugurated under the supervision of state BJP President Shamik Bhattacharya. The artist strongly hopes that this eye-catching statue will be preserved in his wax museum for public exhibition in the coming days.
To make the Prime Minister's birthday memorable and welfare-oriented, the Asansol organizational district wing of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha undertook several service activities. At an orphanage in Andal Baska village of the Raniganj assembly area, in the presence of Yuva Morcha President Abhik Kumar Mandal and other workers, a cake was cut with the young children. The youth workers made the day special and emotional by handing over exercise books, pens, and daily essentials to the orphan children and sharing a midday meal with them. Besides, Annapurna Diwas was celebrated in Barabani in the presence of MLA Arijit Roy, where the promise of depositing Rs. 3,000 into women's bank accounts for their empowerment and details regarding various government benefits were highlighted.
In Kolkata's traditional Jorabagan area, a special prayer and yajna were organized to pray for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good health and long life. After offering the Prime Minister's favorite foods, dhokla and laddus, in front of his picture, they were distributed among passing commoners. On the other hand, prominent BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya and leader Locket Chatterjee visited and offered prayers at the Dakshineswar Maa Bhabatarini Temple. Following detailed discussions with the temple committee, the construction of a state-of-the-art International Guest House in the name of Maa Sarada Devi was announced, and in the evening, 10,000 earthen lamps were lit in the temple premises to pray for the Primeendra's well-being.
In North Dinajpur district as well, Annapurna Diwas was celebrated with grandeur at the Vivekananda Sabhagriha of the District Magistrate's office in Karnajora, Raiganj. The main event began in the virtual presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prominent state leaders. It was announced that financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 each would be credited to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries of the Annapurna Yojana, and District Magistrate Abhijit Shevale handed over auspicious lamps to several beneficiaries with his own hands. Overall, amidst various events, service to the needy, and unique enthusiasm, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday was celebrated with great pomp and splendor across Bengal, including Paschim Bardhaman and North Dinajpur, much like the rest of the country and state.
