Maharashtra CM Fadnavis says PM Modi is like a university at his 76th birthday event

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "like a university" from which one can keep learning, as he praised him at an event held to mark his 76th birthday. He said Modi had taken India to new heights and would ensure the dream of 'Viksit Bharat', or developed India, is realised.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' event, Fadnavis also said Modi had connected with different sections of society and completed 25 years as head of government in Gujarat and at the Centre. He said programmes were being held across Maharashtra and the country to mark the occasion.

Asked about his experience of working with the prime minister, Fadnavis said, "There are many experiences. But I can say that Modi ji is like a kind of university from which you can keep learning continuously." He also described Modi as "the most popular leader in India and the entire world".

Fadnavis said, "As PM, he has connected with diverse segments of society. The sheer breadth of this engagement reveals a unique persona. It is a matter of pride that today is his birthday and he has also completed 25 years as head of government (in Gujarat and at the Centre)." He added that the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyaan' was being held across Maharashtra and the country, with thousands lighting lamps under the 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' programme.

Referring to his own participation, Fadnavis said, "I have come to my constituency in Nagpur and lit diyas with 500 beneficiaries as blessings for Modiji." Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarat's Mehsana district, and turned 76 on Thursday. He will complete 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7, after first taking oath as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before becoming prime minister in 2014.

Fadnavis's remarks at the birthday event centred on Modi's leadership, his outreach across sections of society, and the programmes organised in Maharashtra and across the country to mark the prime minister turning 76 and nearing 25 uninterrupted years in public office. - EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 17, 2026 21:21 IST