Gandhinagar, Japan K Pathak: 17th of September is not just Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi’s birthday. The day is significant for many other reasons for Gujarat.

Introduction of a new Tapi district in South Gujarat was announced by then Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi on 17 September 2007. The district however had come to effect from 2nd October that year.

In 2008 on this day, then Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi had flagged off a train full of relief material to flood-hit Bihar from Gujarat.

In 2010, on this day, the result of Kathlal assembly by-poll was announced. The seat was won by the BJP for the first time in the history. The party had fought this election with a spirit to give a fitting birthday gift to then Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi as counting was scheduled to take place on his birthday, September 17.

In 2011, then Chief Minister Narendrabhai Modi started Sadbhavna fast programme on his birthday September 17.

In 2012, then Chief Minister Narendrabhai announced formation of a new district Aravalli at Ambaji. He also made several new announcements for youths in a function held in Rajkot. He received Rs. 100 from his mother in Ashirwad. He also penned down a blog on completion of 4,000 days of his rule in Gujarat on the next day that year on September 18.

In 2013, Narendrahai attended a felicitation function organised in Gandhinagar on his birthday for his selection nationally in prime role by BJP-NDA. Narendrabhai who was Chief Minister at that time, said in his speech that he had never celebrated his birthday.

In 2014, Narendrabhai announced 11 new schemes of Gujarat government including very helpful, benefitting and popular Ma Amrutam Yojana which avails free medical treatment to needy people even in private facilities. Narendrabhai’s mother Hiraba contributed Rs. 5,001 for Kashmir flood relief on this day. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Gujarat on this day.

In 2016, Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi inaugurated Kadana – Hafeshwar water supply project. He also distributed equipment to needy handicapped persons in Navsari. The function in Navsari created three world records.

In 2017, Prime Minister Narendrabhai inaugurated Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam on its completion. He also inaugurated a dairy plant and marketing yard in Amreli in Gujarat.

In 2019, Prime Minister Narendrabhai worshipped Narmada water at Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam as the highest level of water possible in this dam 138.68 meter was achieved on this day for the first time. He also visited Garudeshwar based Dutt mandir. He visited various upcoming development projects of tourists interest during his visit in Narmada and addressed a gathering.

Adding to this, in 2009, Narendrabhai visited former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel’s residence in Gandhinagar and sought his blessings. Modi received Mahamrutunjay Jap attached Rakshayantra in ashirwad from Keshubhai.In 2011 when Narendrabhai sought blessings of his mother on his birthday, Hiraba presented Ramcharitmanas and Rs. 21 as Ashirwad to him. In 2015, Ganesh Chaturthi, Samvatsari and his birthday was same day. He inaugurated Shauryanjali exhibition in Delhi marking Golden Jubilee of victory of year 1965 war by India. Pue Research on this same day released its survey results in which Narendrabhai was concluded as the choice of 87 per cent Indians. In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent his birthday in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. DeshGujarat