The Bharatiya Janata Party will hold a special programme at its Central Office in New Delhi on Sunday, November 8, to mark the 100th birthday of veteran leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, a recipient of the Bharat Ratna. The event coincides with the festival of Diwali.
According to the party, the celebrations will begin at 10 a.m. with a puja and havan. A 20-minute video presentation will follow, covering significant moments from Advani's life and excerpts from some of his prominent speeches. Videos of senior leaders reflecting on his contribution to the party and the nation will also be screened.
BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani and Union Minister Piyush Goyal are expected to attend and address the gathering. Pratibha Advani and Piyush Goyal will speak on the veteran leader's life and legacy, and Nitin Nabin will recall Advani's role in shaping the party organisation over several decades. The programme will conclude with the distribution of prasad.
In its statement, the BJP said the party has always respected the contributions and dedicated service of its senior leaders and guiding figures, and that the lives and ideologies of such leaders serve as a source of inspiration for future generations. The party also said it is committed to preserving Advani's legacy and carrying forward his ideals and values.
On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the residence of Advani to extend birthday greetings. Advani celebrated his 99th birthday, marking his entry into his hundredth year. During the visit, Modi spent time with the veteran leader and wished him good health and longevity.
In a post on his official X account, Modi said that November 8 was a landmark day and that he had written an article highlighting Advani's contribution to India. He recalled Advani's experience of Partition, his role in strengthening the Jana Sangh and building the BJP, his stand for democracy during the Emergency, his leadership of the Somnath to Ayodhya Rath Yatra and his service in government. Modi also referred to Advani's interest in reading, culture and cinema, and his work as a prolific writer.
Advani was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, in present-day Pakistan. He is one of the founding-era leaders of the BJP and has played a significant role in the party's political and organisational journey over the decades.