Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday, 14 September 2026, urged every family across the state to light an earthen lamp at home, in a temple, or at a prominent public place on 17 September — the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birth anniversary. The appeal, posted on the Chief Minister's X handle, is part of a broader month-long state-wide campaign being launched by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mark the occasion.

The 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' Appeal

In his post, Chief Minister Majhi paid tribute to Prime Minister Modi's record of public service, noting that Modi had devoted five decades to selfless service and 25 years to dedicated leadership as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. 'On 17th September, I appeal to every family in Odisha to light an 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' at home, in a temple or at a prominent place. Let every diya carry our love, gratitude and prayers for Modi Ji's long, healthy and blessed life,' Majhi said in his appeal.

He also encouraged beneficiaries of welfare schemes run by both the state and Union governments to photograph or video their lit lamps and share them on social media, framing the gesture as a collective expression of gratitude. 'If you have been touched by a welfare scheme, let your blessings become a heartfelt message of gratitude. Share your moments of 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' and let our collective blessings illuminate the path of a Viksit Bharat,' he urged.

Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: The Larger Campaign

The lamp-lighting drive sits within a wider initiative called the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' (Campaign of Service and Resolve), which the Odisha BJP is set to launch on 17 September and run for an entire month. The campaign encompasses several distinct programmes, including the 'Seva Jyoti Yatra', 'Namo Seva Gatha', 'Swapnara Bharat', 'Paribartanara Kahani', and the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', along with mass tree plantation drives and blood donation camps.

Within this framework, the 'Ashirbadara Deepa' programme — the Odia-language equivalent of the lamp-lighting gesture — is scheduled to be organised across Odisha on 17 September. The state BJP is aiming to transform the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan into a broad-based mass movement with participation from all sections of society.

Political and Symbolic Context

The campaign reflects a growing BJP practice of converting the Prime Minister's birthday into a public service and outreach moment. In Odisha, where the BJP secured power relatively recently, the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan also serves as a grassroots mobilisation effort, connecting welfare scheme beneficiaries directly to party messaging. Notably, the emphasis on social media sharing of the 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' moments signals an attempt to amplify the campaign's digital footprint ahead of future electoral cycles.

What to Watch

The scale of participation across Odisha's districts on 17 September will be a key indicator of the BJP's organisational reach in the state. Whether the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan's month-long calendar of events translates into sustained grassroots engagement — beyond a single day of symbolic lamp-lighting — remains to be seen.