NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Modi turned 71 on Friday, as President Ram Nath Kovind, ministers in his cabinet, extended their greetings on his birthday.
Hailing his leadership, the President wrote on Twitter: “Wishing him a long and healthy life. May he continue to serve the nation with his spirit of relentless service.”

Home minister Amit Shah lauded Modi, saying he not only gave the country the idea to think ahead of time and fulfil its resolve with hardwork but also made it a reality.

In Modi, the country has got a strong and decisive leader who gave a dignified life to those who were deprived of their rights for decades, he wrote on Twitter.
The prime minister has shown the world what people-loving leadership is like, he added.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter on the occasion of Modi’s birthday and praised good governance in his tenure. He wished that he fulfil his dream of making India a strong, prosperous and proud country.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also extended her greetings to PM Modi.
My prayers for his long and healthy life. Very reassuring to have such leadership at such challenging times, she wrote.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri called Modi a ‘compassionate leader’ .
“A compassionate leader, Modi Ji has ensured that benefits of his flagship missions & policies of inclusive development bring a meaningful change in the life of every Indian,” he said.

Union minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that Modi had revived billion hopes.

Pradhan Mantri who prefers to be known as “Pradhan Sevak”, he wrote in a post extending warm wishes to the prime minister on his birthday.
Born in Gujarat in 1950, Modi joined Hindutva organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at an early age and was later drafted into the BJP.
He was made Gujarat chief minister in 2001. Modi has never suffered an electoral setback when votes were cast on his leadership, leading the BJP to power in the state for three consecutive terms and then at the Centre back to back in 2014 and 2019.
On this occasion, the BJP embarked on a mega 20-day public outreach, “Seva and Samarpan”, from Friday to mark his 71st birthday. It will continue till October 7 to also commemorate his 20 years in public life, including as Gujarat chief minister.
(With inputs from Agencies)