Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on 17 September 2026, drawing birthday wishes from prominent religious figures who credited him with elevating India's spiritual heritage on the global stage. Govind Dev Giri Ji Maharaj, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, said Modi had brought renewed glory to the Bhagavad Gita and carried its values to the world.

Govind Dev Giri Ji's Tribute

'As we extend our heartfelt wishes to him on his birthday today, our hearts are filled with emotion because this country has found such a great personality who has continuously enhanced the glory of the nation. By taking the Bhagavad Gita across the world, he enhanced the glory of the Gita,' Govind Dev Giri Ji said.

The religious leader further noted that Modi had taken the practice of Yoga to new heights and given the world the International Day of Yoga. He also praised the Prime Minister for demonstrating that a person from a humble background could rise to the highest office. 'You are not only a great Prime Minister but have built an era of your own,' he added.

Govind Dev Giri Ji credited Modi with contributing equally to three domains: wholesome national development, preservation of India's cultural heritage and roots, and the advancement of science and technology. 'He has put our scientists and our soldiers at the forefront for the world to see, and enabled them to bring out the best of their skills. This is no ordinary feat,' the Trust General Secretary said.

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha's Greetings

Brahmavihari Swami, Head of International Relations at the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, also extended greetings, describing the occasion as doubly significant — marking both the Prime Minister's 76th birthday and 25 years of his public life.

'I remember him from his younger days, when he was a simple political worker. Since 1981, PM Modi shared a deeply emotional, father-son bond with the late spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Pramukh Swami Maharaj,' Brahmavihari Swami said. He added that Modi had enhanced India's standing in the world over the course of his public career.

A Celebration Beyond an Individual

Govind Dev Giri Ji underscored that the birthday should not be seen merely as one person's anniversary. 'It is a celebration for all,' he said, reflecting a sentiment echoed across religious and cultural circles on the day. This comes amid a broader tradition of religious figures and institutions marking the Prime Minister's birthday with public tributes — a practice that has grown notably since 2014.

Context and Significance

Modi's promotion of the Bhagavad Gita has included gifting copies to foreign dignitaries during state visits, a gesture that has drawn both praise from cultural nationalists and occasional commentary from those who question the blurring of religious and diplomatic protocol. His championing of Yoga, which led to the United Nations adopting 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2015, remains widely cited as a soft-power achievement. As the Prime Minister completes another year in office, religious voices continue to frame his tenure in civilisational terms.