Double Olympic medallist and India's premier javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Thursday, 17 September 2026, extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday, crediting the nation's improved sporting infrastructure to the Prime Minister's personal engagement with athletes. Chopra shared the wishes through a video message, highlighting specific government schemes that he said had transformed the experience of Indian athletes.

What Neeraj Chopra Said

In his video message, Chopra quoted directly: 'I extend my heartfelt wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday. Ever since he took over, there have been several positive changes in our country's sports. For example, whenever we win a medal and come from somewhere, or even if someone has not won a medal, he calls everyone and talks to everyone nicely, and gives equal respect.'

Chopra specifically named the Khelo India and TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) initiatives as programmes that had provided tangible support to Indian athletes. He added: 'May he always be healthy and happy.'

Modi's 76th Birthday and 25 Years of Public Service

Prime Minister Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, making him 76 years old on Thursday. Notably, he is widely recognised as the first Prime Minister to have been born after India's independence in 1947. He is also the longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister in the country's history.

Separately, October 2026 marks 25 years of Modi's public service. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a dedicated month-long campaign, called 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', on Thursday to commemorate the milestone. BJP National President Nitin Nabin had announced at a press conference at the party headquarters on 9 September that the campaign would mark 25 years of public service culminating around 7 October.

Neeraj Chopra's Sporting Journey Under Modi's Tenure

Chopra, who clinched a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been the most decorated Indian track-and-field athlete in recent memory. His endorsement of government sports schemes carries significant weight given his direct experience with the TOPS programme, which provides financial and logistical support to elite athletes preparing for global competitions.

This comes amid a broader pattern of Modi personally reaching out to Indian athletes after major events — a practice that Chopra and other sportspersons have publicly noted as motivating. The Prime Minister's direct communication with athletes, regardless of whether they returned with a medal, has been cited by several Olympians as a meaningful gesture.

Khelo India and TOPS: The Schemes Chopra Highlighted

The Khelo India programme, launched to identify and nurture grassroots sporting talent, and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which supports elite athletes with training and competition funding, have together formed the backbone of India's push for Olympic success. According to sports ministry data, TOPS has supported several of India's recent Olympic and World Championship medallists, including Chopra himself.

As the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' gets underway, Modi's birthday messaging from top sportspersons like Chopra is expected to continue through the month-long campaign ahead of the October milestone.