Murli Manohar Joshi wishes PM Modi on 76th birthday, prays for long life
Synopsis
Veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi marked PM Modi's 76th birthday with a prayer for his long life — on the sidelines of a heritage MoU for the Khoj-e-Braj project covering Mathura and Vrindavan. NDA chief ministers lit earthen lamps nationwide, while Putin, Netanyahu, and Meloni sent greetings, painting a picture of Modi's reach from Braj's ghats to global capitals.
Key Takeaways
Murli Manohar Joshi wished PM Modi on his 76th birthday on 17 September 2026 in New Delhi .
Joshi attended the signing of an MoU for the Khoj-e-Braj heritage project at the Constitution Club .
The initiative will survey and document the archaeological and cultural heritage of Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Gokul, and Barsana .
The MoU was signed between the Indian Archaeological Society (IAS) and the BRISEC Chamber of Commerce and Industry .
NDA chief ministers and leaders participated in the 'Ashirwad ka diya' lamp-lighting event nationwide.
World leaders including Vladimir Putin , Benjamin Netanyahu , and Giorgia Meloni extended birthday wishes to PM Modi .
Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Thursday, 17 September 2026, extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday, saying he prayed for the Prime Minister's long life. Joshi made the remarks while speaking to reporters in New Delhi, on the sidelines of an event at the Constitution Club.
Joshi's Wishes and the Occasion
'Many congratulations to him; may he lead a long life,' Joshi said after the conclusion of the event. The veteran leader was present at the Constitution Club for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 'Khoj-e-Braj' project, a heritage documentation initiative centred on the culturally significant Braj region.
What the Khoj-e-Braj Initiative Entails
The Khoj-e-Braj initiative aims to scientifically survey, map, and document the archaeological, historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of the Braj region, covering sites including Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Gokul, and Barsana. The project was formalised through an MoU signed between the Indian Archaeological Society (IAS), New Delhi, and the BRISEC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Commenting on the initiative, Joshi called it 'an excellent program', adding that 'initiatives like this are essential.' He noted that it was unfortunate that many in the country remained unaware of such significant institutions. 'We often know too little about ourselves — about our literature and the great figures of our past,' he said. He added that globally, much of this kind of research is driven by individuals — donors and researchers — rather than governments.
National Celebrations for PM Modi's Birthday
Across the country, Chief Ministers of National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states and several Union Ministers participated in the 'Ashirwad ka diya' event to mark the occasion. Scores of earthen lamps were lit on the banks of holy rivers as part of the programme, in a gesture to pray for the Prime Minister's long life.
Global Leaders Send Greetings
Earlier in the day, several world leaders conveyed their wishes to PM Modi. Among them were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, underscoring the diplomatic goodwill Modi has cultivated across different geopolitical blocs.
As PM Modi turns 76, the birthday observances — stretching from veteran party figures to foreign heads of government — reflect both his enduring stature within the BJP and his prominence on the global stage.
Point of View
Once a rival centre of gravity within the party, today appears firmly in the celebratory chorus around Modi. The Khoj-e-Braj MoU he endorsed — a civil-society-led heritage project rather than a government scheme — is a quiet signal that cultural-heritage documentation is increasingly being pushed through non-state actors. The 'Ashirwad ka diya' events, involving NDA chief ministers en masse, blur the line between party occasion and state ceremony, a pattern that opposition voices have periodically flagged. That Putin, Netanyahu, and Meloni all sent greetings in the same news cycle reflects Modi's deliberate cultivation of relationships across conflicting geopolitical camps — a balancing act that remains both an asset and a source of friction with Western partners.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Murli Manohar Joshi say on PM Modi's 76th birthday?
Joshi said 'Many congratulations to him; may he lead a long life,' extending his wishes to PM Modi on 17 September 2026. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Constitution Club in New Delhi after the Khoj-e-Braj MoU signing event.
What is the Khoj-e-Braj project?
Khoj-e-Braj is an initiative to scientifically survey, map, and document the archaeological, historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of the Braj region, covering sites like Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Gokul, and Barsana. It was launched through an MoU between the Indian Archaeological Society and the BRISEC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
What is the 'Ashirwad ka diya' event held on PM Modi's birthday?
The 'Ashirwad ka diya' event is a programme in which NDA chief ministers and party leaders light earthen lamps on the banks of holy rivers to pray for PM Modi's long life. It is held annually to mark the Prime Minister's birthday.
Which world leaders wished PM Modi on his 76th birthday?
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were among the world leaders who extended birthday wishes to PM Modi on 17 September 2026.
Who organised the Khoj-e-Braj MoU signing?
The MoU for the Khoj-e-Braj project was signed between the Indian Archaeological Society (IAS), based in New Delhi, and the BRISEC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, formalising the heritage documentation initiative for the Braj region.
