New Delhi | September 17, 2026: Prime Minister Modi turned 76 on Thursday. This year brings a massive milestone. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrates his 25th year leading a government. Modi first became Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. He served there until 2014. Then, he became India's Prime Minister. He started his third term on June 9, 2024.
This was a day of high-level statecraft. Global leaders sent warm greetings. Big tech firms pledged billions in new investments. The ruling party launched welfare drives across India. Yet, the day also brought sharp political debates. Critics questioned the use of public funds for political events.
SEMICON India 2026: A $5 Billion Tech Milestone
The main event today was not a political rally. PM Modi opened SEMICON India 2026. This tech summit takes place in New Delhi. It runs from September 17 to September 19 at Yashobhoomi. The official theme is "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem."
The event drew massive global attention. Over 40 countries sent official teams. More than 600 companies set up booths. Over 300 of these firms are foreign. During his speech, Modi shared India's chip goals. He wants India to be a trusted global chip maker. He asked foreign tech leaders to build factories here. He also urged local firms to invest in research.
The opening day brought a massive business deal. Applied Materials pledged a huge $5 billion investment over ten years. This falls under its 'India Vision 2035' plan. The company will build a 140-acre research park near Bengaluru. Prabu Raja is the President of the Semiconductor Products Group. He shared the company's details. He stated the firm wants to expand its India supply chain tenfold. The company will double its local engineering team. Their new labs will test 300mm silicon wafers directly in India.
Other top tech firms also made major announcements. Lam Research revealed an active pipeline of nearly ₹10,000 crore. This money will fund its first silicon tool plant in India. ASML Holding leaders also spoke today. They called for long-term supply chain partnerships with Indian makers. India has now cleared 12 semiconductor projects under its official subsidy program. The nation is moving from chip design into actual chip manufacturing.
| Company / Entity | Pledged Investment | Core Infrastructure Focus | Target Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Materials | $5 Billion | 140-acre R&D Park, 10x Supply Chain Growth | By 2035 |
| Lam Research | ~₹10,000 Crore | Silicon component manufacturing plant | Active Pipeline |
| Government of India | Policy Subsidies | 12 approved semiconductor projects | Active Execution |
Global Leaders Send Birthday Greetings
Modi's 76th birthday drew messages from world leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent warm wishes. He praised Modi's role in building strong ties between Russia and India. He called India a trusted strategic partner. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Modi. He spoke of an unprecedented partnership between both nations. He wished Modi good health and continued success.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent a warm message. She praised the growing cooperation between Rome and New Delhi. The US Embassy in New Delhi also issued a statement. They sent greetings on behalf of US President Donald Trump. These messages show India's strong standing across competing global powers.
At home, leaders across party lines put aside politics. President Droupadi Murmu praised Modi's long service to the nation. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan wished him strength and good health. Opposition leaders also joined in. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wished the Prime Minister a long life. Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi posted warm birthday wishes. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin sent greetings too.
Bollywood stars shared messages online. Akshay Kumar and Anupam Kher praised Modi's hard work. Actor Salman Khan drew wide attention online. He called the Prime Minister "Narendra bhai" in his public post. Many other film stars joined the trend.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: A Month of Mass Mobilization
The BJP launched a month-long welfare drive. It is called the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. It runs from September 17 to October 17. These dates mark Modi's 25 years in power. Party workers across India set up blood donation drives. They cleaned streets and public parks. They also opened Seva Setu camps to help citizens access benefits.
The party also held a national lamp-lighting event. It was called 'Aashirwad Ka Diya'. Leaders asked citizens to light earthen lamps between 6 PM and 7 PM. In Gujarat, party teams lit over 88 lakh diyas across 18,500 sites. In Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, workers used two lakh lamps to trace a map of India. In Uttar Pradesh, workers lit 200 lamps at every local voting booth.
Varanasi was the center of spiritual prayers. Modi represents this holy city in Parliament. At Ahilyabai Ghat, 76 young priests performed a Ganga Abhishek. They prayed for the Prime Minister's long life. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the city. They flagged off the 'Seva Sankalp Bike Yatra'. A team of 51 riders set out on motorcycles. They carried Ganga water from Varanasi to Modi's birthplace in Vadnagar. A second team started from Vadnagar to ride toward Varanasi. The riders will cross 10 states. The bike rally ends on October 7.
Controversies Over Public Funds and State Staff
The large scale of the events sparked protests. Opposition parties argued that the ruling party crossed ethical lines. They pointed to several events where state resources were used.
- Rohtak Hospital Delays: A major row broke out in Haryana. Staff at a state hospital in Rohtak prepared 10,000 lamps for the birthday. At the same time, sick patients faced long delays for ultrasound tests. Some patients had to wait ten days for basic scans. Critics questioned why hospital staff spent time on party lamps while medical care suffered. Health officials did not confirm a direct link, but the news went viral.
- Reports of Forced Participation: The National Herald published critical reports about party drives. It claimed that schools and child centers in BJP-ruled states faced pressure. The report alleged that teachers and Anganwadi workers had to attend birthday shows. These claims remain media reports rather than proven court findings.
- Modi Comic Books in Bengal: A new dispute emerged in West Bengal. Reports revealed plans to hand out comic books about Modi's life. The project aimed to reach 69 lakh children across 1.19 lakh state Anganwadi centers. Critics called it political propaganda. They said state childcare centers should not promote political figures to young toddlers.
The News4Bharat Perspective: Industrial Policy as Statecraft
Modi's 76th birthday shows how political image and state policy work together. The ruling party linked a personal birthday to national goals. Opening SEMICON India 2026 on this exact date was a deliberate choice. It framed Modi as the builder of modern India's technology sector.
The $5 billion pledge from Applied Materials is a real victory. It proves that global tech firms trust India's manufacturing road map. Setting up wafer research in Bengaluru reduces India's reliance on foreign supply chains. This step protects the domestic economy against future global shocks.
However, using public institutions for political events brings clear political risks. The incident at Rohtak hospital shows the danger. When party events clash with public health needs, voters take notice. The government must keep party celebrations separate from essential public services. In the end, voters will judge this milestone by results. What matters most is whether these 12 approved chip factories get built on time.
Editorial Closing
Narendra Modi's 76th birthday blended personal longevity with high-tech ambition. Global greetings showed India's strong standing in world affairs. At the same time, domestic controversies highlighted the friction caused by large state-backed events. Market watchers must now track the execution of these chip pledges. Readers should follow official regulatory filings and corporate disclosures for updates on the $5 billion semiconductor rollout.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is PM Modi's 76th birthday in 2026 significant?
The day marks his 25th consecutive year as head of a government. Modi first took office as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. The BJP is marking the milestone with its nationwide Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
What major investments were announced at SEMICON India 2026?
Applied Materials pledged $5 billion over ten years to build a 140-acre research park near Bengaluru. Lam Research announced an active investment pipeline of nearly ₹10,000 crore for silicon tool manufacturing.
What is the 'Aashirwad Ka Diya' campaign?
It is a nationwide campaign by the BJP. Citizens were invited to light oil lamps between 6 PM and 7 PM. Gujarat alone coordinated the lighting of over 88 lakh lamps across 18,500 sites.
What controversies arose during the 2026 celebrations?
Critics raised concerns over public resource use. Key rows included lamp-making at a Rohtak hospital amid ultrasound delays, claims of forced school participation, and plans to give Modi comic books to 69 lakh children.