CM Dhami calls PM Modi 'architect of modern India' at Aashirwad ka Diya event
Synopsis
On PM Modi's birthday, BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' rolled out across India with lamp-lighting and river aarti rituals. Uttarakhand CM Dhami called Modi the 'architect of modern India' in Dehradun, while UP CM Yogi Adityanath launched 10 yatras from Varanasi — a coordinated cultural-political display marking 25 years of Modi's public service.
Key Takeaways
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami called PM Modi the 'architect of modern India' at the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event in Dehradun on 17 September 2026 .
The event is part of the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' , marking PM Modi's 25 years of public service.
The Dehradun programme also included the unveiling of a Maa Yamuna statue and inauguration of the first phase of ghat construction .
Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Mahamandaleshwar Avdhoot Baba Arun Giri Ji Maharaj attended the event to offer blessings.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath launched the campaign in Varanasi , with 10 yatras planned from the city to Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple .
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday, 17 September 2026, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi the 'architect of modern India' during the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event in Dehradun, organised to mark the Prime Minister's birthday. The event forms part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s wider 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', launched to commemorate PM Modi's 25 years of public service.
What the Event Involved
The 'Aashirwad ka Diya' initiative saw NDA leaders, ministers, and party workers lighting lamps at significant venues and participating in 'aarti' rituals on the banks of holy rivers across multiple states, as a prayer for the Prime Minister's good health and long life. The Dehradun event coincided with the unveiling of a statue of Maa Yamuna and the inauguration of the first phase of ghat construction, alongside the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja.
Speaking at the gathering, CM Dhami said: 'Today is a truly auspicious day because, alongside unveiling the statue of Maa Yamuna, we are also inaugurating the first phase of the construction of ghats. Furthermore, today marks Vishwakarma Puja — worship of the deity who sustained the world through his craftsmanship, industry, and artistry.'
CM Dhami's Remarks on PM Modi
Addressing the crowd, Dhami said: 'It is also a momentous occasion because today is the birthday of the architect and visionary of modern India, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has elevated India's global stature to a point where today the world awaits India's stance before making any major decision.'
The Chief Minister also noted that PM Modi holds a deep affection for Uttarakhand, and extended birthday wishes on behalf of all attendees.
Religious Figures Present at the Occasion
Among those present were Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, and Mahamandaleshwar Avdhoot Baba Arun Giri Ji Maharaj. CM Dhami said they were present 'to bestow their blessings upon us all and to offer their best wishes and blessings to the Prime Minister.'
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Launched Across States
Earlier on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi. CM Adityanath noted that 10 'yatras' would begin from Varanasi, carrying holy water from the sacred rivers of Kashi to the city's Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple via different routes. Participants from Gujarat — birthplace of PM Modi being Vadnagar — were also set to carry holy water from Gujarat's rivers to be offered at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The nationwide campaign underscores the BJP's effort to frame Modi's governance legacy through both political and cultural symbolism.
Point of View
Yatras, and temple offerings blurs the line between statecraft and personality cult. What is notable is the geographic spread: from Uttarakhand's ghats to Varanasi's temples to Gujarat's rivers, the campaign draws a symbolic map of Modi's identity. The mainstream coverage will focus on the tributes; the sharper question is whether 25 years of public service will be assessed by outcomes — jobs, governance metrics, institutional health — or by the scale of the celebration itself.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event?
The 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event is a programme under the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', organised on PM Modi's birthday on 17 September to mark his 25 years of public service. NDA leaders and party workers light lamps and perform aarti rituals at holy rivers across states to pray for the Prime Minister's health and long life.
What did CM Dhami say about PM Modi at the Dehradun event?
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami called PM Modi the 'architect and visionary of modern India', crediting him with elevating India's global standing. He also noted that Modi holds a deep affection for Uttarakhand and extended birthday greetings on behalf of attendees.
What is the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan?
The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is a BJP-organised campaign to commemorate PM Narendra Modi's 25 years of public service. It involves cultural, religious, and community service activities across multiple states, including lamp-lighting, river aartis, and yatras.
What events took place in Varanasi as part of the campaign?
UP CM Yogi Adityanath launched the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Varanasi, where 10 yatras were set to begin, carrying holy water from Kashi's rivers to the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple. Holy water from Gujarat — PM Modi's home state — was also to be offered at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Who else was present at the Dehradun event?
Apart from CM Dhami, the event was attended by Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, and Mahamandaleshwar Avdhoot Baba Arun Giri Ji Maharaj, who offered blessings to the Prime Minister.
