‘Devotee of the nation’: Spiritual leaders greet PM Modi on birthday
‘Devotee of the nation’: Spiritual leaders greet PM Modi on birthday New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Spiritual leaders from various parts of the country on Thursday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of his 76th birthday, calling him a “devotee of the nation” and hailing his respect for the seer community. Speaking to IANS in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, Junapeethadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri ji Maharaj referred to the Prime Minister as a “true administrator” and “devotee of this nation”. “PM Modi has scripted a saga of development and championed the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative. He steered the nation safely through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even amid global conflicts, India has maintained economic stability and scaled new heights,” he said. He added: “Whether it concerns semiconductors, chips, technology, innovation, new industries, or indigenous medicinal herbs and remedies, he has garnered global acclaim. PM Modi took ‘Yoga’ to the global stage in a major way and secured its recognition at the United Nations as International Yoga Day.” He asserted that the entire world has acknowledged India’s growing stature under the leadership of PM Modi. “Be it the recent BRICS Summit, the G20 Presidency, or the Prime Minister’s various diplomatic visits—his achievements are unparalleled and truly astonishing,” Swami Avdheshanand Giri remarked. Further, the seer said PM Modi was ‘Ajatashatru (one with no enemies)’. He said: “We are holding Diwali-like festivities at all our centres across the country today. We will light lamps in every corner of our ashrams. Spiritual rituals will be performed there.” The swami added that ‘Rudrabhishek’ which is a sacred ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva, is being performed on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s birthday as well as donations of food and medicine are being made and medical camps have also been set up. “I pray to the Almighty on his birthday for his long life, may he continue to embody the nobility of character and unique personality that defines his life,” he said. Meanwhile, the sant community in Maharashtra’s Nashik—a city revered as a holy place and the venue for the upcoming ‘Simhastha Kumbh Mela’—also extended warm birthday greetings to PM Modi. Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) national spokesperson Bhakti Charan Das Maharaj told IANS that the sants in Nashik hold a deep sense of affinity and respect for Prime Minister Modi. He remarked that when the Prime Minister visited the sacred land of Nashik and interacted with the sant community, his “simplicity, natural demeanour, and respectful conduct” towards them were clearly evident. Further, the seer noted that even during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi frequently interacted with the sant community at the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad. He added that whether it is a swearing-in ceremony or any religious and spiritual event, the Prime Minister remembers the sant community and attaches great importance to receiving their blessings. “From this sacred land—blessed by Lord Shri Ram, Lord Kapileshwar Mahadev, and the Brahmagiri hills—we pray for his good health, long life, and continued strength in the service of the nation,” Bhakti Charan Das Maharaj said.
