Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 69 on Tuesday and was greeted by several leaders, including Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president and Home Minister Amit Shah. In his message, Naidu said the nation is making steady progress under Modi's able leadership. Amit Shah described Modi as a leader with strong willpower and a symbol of decisive leadership and hard work.

"Under your leadership, an emerging India has made a mark in the world as a strong, safe and reliable nation," Shah said on Twitter. Singh said the prime minister has been instrumental in building and strengthening India's position in the comity of nations.

"His visionary leadership has helped India in scaling new heights of glory. I pray for his good health and long life," the defence ministry tweeted.

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PM Modi's birthday schedule

PM Narendra Modi has a packed schedule and will spend most part of the day in Gujarat. His schedule includes a visit to the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada river, whose water level has reached its highest mark for the first time, to kickoff the "Namami Narmade" festival.

For the first time since the height of the Sarovar dam was raised in 2017, the water level reached its highest peak at 138.68 metres on Sunday evening. The dam was inaugurated by PM Modi on this day in 2017.

After visiting the dam site at Kevadiya, the prime minister would address a gathering. After his address, the PM would inspect some ongoing developmental projects near the dam and the Statue of Unity.

The prime minister is also expected to visit the temple of Lord Dattatreya at Garudeshwar village near Kevadiya. On his 68th birthday last year, Modi was in his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi with school children. He visited a primary school and celebrated his birthday with students. He later offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple there. 

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Sardar Sarovar Dam Lit Up With Tricolour

Celebrations for PM Narendra Modi's birthday kickstarted in Gujarat ahead of his birthday with the lightning of Sardar Sarovar Dam in tricolour on Monday evening. Speaking to Republic TV in the matter, the dam officials said that it is the first time since the launch of the project that it received the full reservoir level (FRL) at 138.68 metres. The officials added that it is a step in the right direction for ensuring a boost in economy and that the dam had not been checked at its capacity ever before.

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