Baba Ramdev hails Modi on birthday: Article 370, Ram Temple among top achievements
Synopsis
On PM Modi's birthday, Baba Ramdev rattled off a sweeping list of government achievements — from 560 million tap connections and food cover for 800 million people to the abrogation of Article 370 and the Ram Temple — while Swami Chidanand Saraswati offered blessings from the Ganga's banks, coinciding with Vishwakarma Jayanti.
Key Takeaways
Baba Ramdev praised PM Modi on his birthday on 17 September from Haridwar , listing major government achievements.
He cited the abrogation of Article 370 and construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as landmark milestones.
Welfare figures cited: 560 million tap connections, food security for 800 million , Ayushman Bharat coverage for 440 million , 120 million toilets built, and housing for 40 million families.
Ramdev noted that the Haridwar–Delhi travel time has dropped from 6–8 hours to roughly 2.5 hours due to infrastructure upgrades.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan Ashram also extended greetings from the banks of the Ganga in Uttarakhand, invoking Vishwakarma Jayanti .
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Thursday, 17 September lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday, listing what he described as landmark accomplishments of the Modi government and asserting that India's global stature and recognition have grown substantially during his tenure.
What Ramdev Said
Speaking to reporters in Haridwar, Ramdev said millions of citizens were celebrating the occasion by lighting lamps at homes, temples, and rooftops. 'Millions of countrymen are wishing respected PM Narendra Modi a happy birthday. People are lighting lamps in their homes, temples and on their rooftops, wishing him a long and prosperous life,' he said.
He described Modi as a Prime Minister who respects yoga, Ayurveda, Sanatan Dharma and nationalism, and is committed to broad-based prosperity — from the poor to the middle class.
Key Achievements Cited
Ramdev highlighted several milestones he attributed to the Modi government: the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India's rising global influence, and the international honours received by the Prime Minister. He argued these reflect a resurgent sense of national pride felt even beyond India's borders.
On the welfare front, he pointed to flagship schemes including the Jal Jeevan Mission (Nal Se Jal), Ayushman Bharat, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and housing programmes for economically weaker sections. He cited specific figures: approximately 560 million tap water connections, food security for around 800 million people, healthcare coverage for nearly 440 million beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat, construction of roughly 120 million toilets, and housing for close to 40 million poor families.
Infrastructure Progress Highlighted
Ramdev also pointed to the expansion of roads, highways, and airports across the country as evidence of infrastructure transformation. Illustrating the change with a local example, he noted that the travel time between Haridwar and Delhi has been reduced from roughly six to eight hours to approximately two-and-a-half hours, a shift he attributed to improved highway connectivity.
Greetings from Parmarth Niketan
Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, also extended birthday wishes to the Prime Minister from the banks of the Ganga in Uttarakhand. 'Today, from the sacred banks of Maa Ganga, from Parmarth Niketan, from the land of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, heartfelt birthday wishes to the Vishwakarma of modern India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' Saraswati said, invoking the Vishwakarma Jayanti — which falls on the same date — as an auspicious omen for the Prime Minister's continued service.
Ramdev concluded by calling on every Indian citizen to contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India), framing national development as a shared responsibility rather than a government undertaking alone.
Point of View
But Ramdev's roster of statistics — however sourced from government data — does double duty as a restatement of the BJP's core electoral narrative ahead of several state cycles. The figures are significant in scale but are government self-reported numbers; independent verification of beneficiary counts for schemes such as Ayushman Bharat has historically shown gaps between enrolments and actual service delivery. What mainstream coverage often underplays is that such endorsements from prominent spiritual leaders carry genuine persuasive weight with tens of millions of followers, making them a soft-power political tool as consequential as a party rally.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Baba Ramdev say about PM Modi on his birthday?
Baba Ramdev praised PM Modi on his birthday on 17 September, saying India's global stature has risen significantly under his leadership. He listed achievements including the abrogation of Article 370, the Ram Temple construction in Ayodhya, and major welfare schemes covering hundreds of millions of citizens.
Which government schemes did Ramdev highlight as Modi's achievements?
Ramdev highlighted the Jal Jeevan Mission (approximately 560 million tap connections), Ayushman Bharat (healthcare for around 440 million people), food security for about 800 million, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (roughly 120 million toilets built), and housing for nearly 40 million poor families.
Who is Swami Chidanand Saraswati and why did he wish Modi on this day?
Swami Chidanand Saraswati is the President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Uttarakhand. He extended birthday greetings to PM Modi from the banks of the Ganga, also noting that 17 September coincides with Vishwakarma Jayanti, which he described as an auspicious occasion.
What infrastructure improvement did Ramdev use to illustrate Modi's tenure?
Ramdev cited the Haridwar-to-Delhi travel corridor as an example, noting the journey time has fallen from roughly six to eight hours to approximately two-and-a-half hours, attributing the change to road and highway expansion under the Modi government.
Why does Baba Ramdev's endorsement of PM Modi carry political significance?
Baba Ramdev commands a substantial following through his yoga and Ayurveda outreach, giving his public endorsements wide reach among millions of citizens. Statements by prominent spiritual figures on political occasions are seen as an important element of soft political messaging in India.
