Beneficiaries of state and Central government-sponsored welfare schemes in Tripura will light lamps at their homes on September 17 as part of a BJP initiative to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, state BJP president Abhishek Debroy said on Sunday.

Speaking after attending a blood donation camp organised by the BJP Yuva Morcha Sadar District and other frontal wings at the GB Pant Hospital blood bank, Debroy said the initiative, named “Ashirwad Ka Diya”, would be held to pray for Modi’s good health and long life.

“On September 17, all beneficiaries of state and Central government-sponsored schemes will light a lamp at their homes to bless Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This exercise has been named Ashirwad Ka Diya,” Debroy said.

He said the BJP had undertaken several service-oriented programmes to mark the Prime Minister’s birthday.

Debroy said the blood donation camp at the hospital was organised by the Yuva Morcha and more than 200 donors were participating in it.

He said similar blood donation camps were being organised across Tripura at all district headquarters and claimed that a record number of blood units would be donated as part of the exercise.

“If such camps are organised regularly, the shortage of blood in blood banks could be mitigated,” he said.

The BJP state president said the blood donation programme was being held as part of the celebrations marking Modi’s birthday and thanked the Yuva Morcha for organising the camp.

Speaking about Ashirwad Ka Diya, Debroy said its purpose was to pray for the Prime Minister’s good health and long life.

“We believe, as long as he keeps serving at the top post, the country will keep progressing and ultimately reach the highest point of development,” he said.