Home Minister says Prime Minister has treated the people of India as his family during decades in public service
GTNS, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 , VADNAGAR, GUJARAT — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday was marked in his hometown of Vadnagar on Thursday, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about Modi’s decades in public life and his relationship with citizens across the country.
Shah said Modi’s political journey had been shaped by a strong emphasis on public service and described the Prime Minister’s connection with ordinary citizens as a defining feature of his public life.
Referring to Modi’s well-known description of the people of India as his family, Shah said that the country itself represents the Prime Minister’s family.
The Home Minister also drew attention to Modi’s personal background, noting that despite spending many years in prominent political positions, his immediate family members have largely remained away from the political spotlight.
Shah recalled Modi’s progression from Gujarat politics to the national stage, noting that the Prime Minister has now completed 25 years in executive political leadership, first as Gujarat Chief Minister and subsequently as Prime Minister.
The remarks came during a programme in Vadnagar, where Shah also launched a ‘Seva Sankalp Yatra’ associated with the birthday observances.
The motorcycle campaign is scheduled to travel from Vadnagar towards Varanasi, linking several locations along the route as part of the wider service-oriented activities being organised around Modi’s birthday.
Several political leaders participated in the Vadnagar programme, including Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Anupriya Patel.
Across India, various programmes are being organised to mark Modi’s birthday, including blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, health initiatives and other public-service activities.
The celebrations also coincide with programmes highlighting Modi’s 25 years in public life, providing the political backdrop for this year’s nationwide observances.
Shah’s Vadnagar address therefore combined a birthday message with reflections on Modi’s political career and his stated philosophy of regarding service to the public as a central responsibility of leadership.
Global Times News | INDIA ; GTNS