India Can Witness Anything: Questions Over PM Modi’s Birthday Celebrations in Bihar?

Source: Prime Minister’s Office / GODL-India

India Can Witness Anything: Questions Over PM Modi’s Birthday Celebrations in Bihar

In India, people celebrate birthdays in different ways. Some celebrate at home, in a hotel, or outside with family and friends. But on September 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday was celebrated across the country in different ways.

In Bihar, the BJP organised an “Ashirwad Ka Diya” programme as part of the “Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.” In Patna, thousands of lamps were lit at Marine Drive (JP Ganga Path), where Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also participated in the programme. Reports also said that traffic arrangements were changed in Patna because of the event.

Lighting lamps to celebrate someone’s birthday is not necessarily a problem. People are free to celebrate and express their respect in different ways. However, an important question is whether such large public events should be organised in a way that creates inconvenience for ordinary citizens.

If people were stuck in traffic and someone needed to reach a hospital for an emergency, or if other urgent situations were affected, then the authorities should consider whether adequate traffic and public-safety arrangements were made.

Another question is about priorities. Bihar is currently facing flood-related difficulties in several areas, with people in some places needing food, shelter, healthcare and other forms of assistance. At such a time, many people may reasonably ask whether public attention and resources should also be focused strongly on flood relief and basic public needs.

Prime Minister Modi has also spoken about reducing the use of cooking oil and described such efforts in the context of serving the nation. This raises another question for public discussion: when thousands of lamps are used in a large celebration, how should society balance symbolic celebrations with concerns about the use of resources?

At the same time, it is important not to make an unsupported claim about the amount of money spent on the event. The government or organisers should provide clear information about the source of funding and the expenditure involved if questions are being raised about public money.

There are also people and organisations working to help communities during difficult times. Videos circulating on social media have highlighted the work of Bihar teacher Khan Sir and others who have provided assistance such as food, cooking gas and other necessities to people in need.

The Bihar government is therefore requested to give priority to the immediate needs of the people, especially those affected by floods. Instead of allowing ordinary citizens to face difficulties, the government should ensure effective relief, food, healthcare, shelter and other necessary support.

Celebrations can take place, but the needs and convenience of ordinary citizens should also remain an important priority.