Leaders wish PM Modi a happy birthday as he turns 65, President Mukherjee praises his dynamism

New Delhi: Greetings poured in as Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 65 on Thursday, with President Pranab Mukherjee lauding his “dynamism” and “out of the box” thinking as leaders across the political divide wished him good health and long life. In his greetings, Mukherjee said the last year was an important period filled with significant achievements for the Prime Minister and the country. “This special day comes as you complete more than fifteen months as the Prime Minister of our great nation. The last year has been an important period filled with significant achievements for you personally and our country.” [caption id=“attachment_2437508” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Narendra Modi. Reuters[/caption] “Your hard work, dynamism and out of the box thinking has received wide appreciation in the country and abroad,” the President was quoted by his official spokesman Venu Rajamony as saying. He complimented the Prime Minister on his accomplishments and said, “May the Almighty bless you with good health, happiness and many more years of dedicated service to the nation.” Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, with whom Modi has been engaged in bitter exchanges over a host of issues including the land bill, too extended his greetings. “Best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modiji on his birthday,” Rahul tweeted. Starting the exchange of greetings between the two, the Prime Minister had on 19 June taken to twitter to greet Rahul on his birthday. “Wishing the Congress Vice President, Shri Rahul Gandhi a Happy Birthday. I pray for his good health & long life. @OfficeOfRG,” the PM had said on Twitter as Rahul turned 45. Rahul was quick to respond and tweeted back, thanking him for the “best wishes”. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who had to face the party’s wrath for praising Narendra Modi and was dropped from the list of spokespersons, also greeted the Prime Minister but underlined their disagreement in politics. “Happy Birthday @narendramodi . May you continue to serve India w/energy &commitment. Will continue to disagree w/ yr politics, but w/respect!,” Tharoor said. “Greetings to Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi ji on his birthday. My prayers for his health and long life,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted. “Happy birthday @narendramodi ji. May God grant you a long life in the service of the nation. #HappyBdayPM,” tweeted National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah. BJP president Amit Shah said on the micro blogging website he prays to God for his “long life and good health”. PTI