Modi's wish: Don't celebrate my birthday; help in J-K relief work

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to friends and well-wishers not to celebrate his birthday and instead dedicate time and resources towards relief work in this hour of need for flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi’s appeal came amid plans to celebrate his birthday on September 17 across the country, including in Gujarat where he will be present that day. “I am hearing from different places that friends and well-wishers are planning various programmes and events for my birthday. My humble request -- do not celebrate my birthday.”

“Instead, dedicate yourselves towards relief work in Jammu and Kashmir through your time and resources. The need of the hour is to stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir,”Modi said ahead of his 64th birthday.

Modi, who will be in Gujarat on September 17, will start his day by taking blessings of his 95-year-old mother Hiraba and her home made Gujarati sweets following which celebrations by state administration and BJP have been planned to mark his birthday. But the PM said “there will be no birthday celebrations”.

“On 17th, President Xi Jinping will be in Gujarat. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to him but there will be no birthday celebrations,” Modi said.