Chief ministers of NDA-ruled states are scheduled to visit Varanasi on Thursday, September 17, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 76. Modi represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, making the city the focal point of the birthday-related programmes.
Varanasi and Vadnagar to be linked by bike yatras
Two simultaneous motorcycle yatras will also begin on September 17, connecting Modi's birthplace Vadnagar in Gujarat with his parliamentary constituency Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The 'Vadnagar to Varanasi Seva Yatra' and 'Varanasi to Vadnagar Seva Yatra' are scheduled to conclude on October 7, marking 25 years since Modi entered public office as Gujarat chief minister.
The initiative is being organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) as part of the wider Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. More than 1,000 young participants from across India are expected to take part, with the yatras travelling simultaneously in both directions.
Yatras to cover 10 states and over 1,000 villages
The two-way journey will follow 20 routes named after India's sacred rivers and pass through 10 states, 193 districts, 773 tehsils and 1,159 villages. Organisers have described the programme as a youth outreach and service initiative rather than merely a motorcycle rally.
Reports said Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to flag off the Vadnagar leg, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are expected to be involved in the Varanasi launch. Participants will also carry water from rivers in Gujarat for a ritual at the Kashi Vishwanath temple, while Ganga water is planned to be taken to Vadnagar.
The wider Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is scheduled to run from September 17 to October 17 and includes programmes such as blood donation drives, youth competitions, beneficiary interactions and other public-service activities.