Top News Today: PM Modi turns 76, Bengal observes Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, EC hears TMC factions and India face Afghanistan in the third T20I.
From Narendra Modi’s birthday programmes and West Bengal’s ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ to the TMC symbol dispute and India’s final T20I against Afghanistan, here are the key developments to watch today.
Qalam Times News Network
Dateline: Kolkata | September 17, 2026
The Top News Today begins with Prime Minister Narendra Modi turning 76 on Thursday, September 17. Born on September 17, 1950, Modi is marking his birthday with programmes being organised across the country. The day also coincides with a series of public-service and outreach initiatives planned by the BJP and governments in several states.
1. PM Modi turns 76; ‘Ashirbad-er Pradip’ and Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 76th birthday today, with a range of programmes planned across India.
In West Bengal, the state government has announced programmes linked to the occasion. The state is scheduled to observe an illumination initiative described as ‘Ashirbad-er Pradip’, with diyas being lit across the state. Reports said the programme is connected with the broader ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, which began on September 17 and includes public-service and welfare-oriented activities.
The West Bengal government had earlier announced plans for large-scale participation in the diya-lighting programme. Government and heritage buildings, religious places and other locations were also expected to be illuminated as part of the observance.
The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is also being linked to Modi completing 25 years in public life later this year. In Bengal, the programme includes activities relating to public welfare, health, cleanliness and government-service outreach.
2. Annapurna programme in Bengal on PM Modi’s birthday
Another major programme in West Bengal today involves beneficiaries of the Annapurna scheme.
According to reports, around 50,000 beneficiaries have been scheduled to gather at the Boimela Ground in Kolkata as part of the birthday-related programme. A government official said Prime Minister Modi is expected to address the gathering through video conference.
The programme is among several events being organised in the state to coincide with the Prime Minister’s birthday.
3. Election Commission to hear rival TMC factions over party symbol
West Bengal politics will also remain in focus today as the Election Commission of India is scheduled to hear the rival factions of the Trinamool Congress over their competing claims concerning the party’s organisational control, name and election symbol.
The dispute has become particularly significant because the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly by-elections are scheduled for October 6.
The Election Commission has called representatives of both factions for a hearing on September 17. Reports indicate that the panel is examining competing claims over the use of the Trinamool Congress name and its traditional election symbol.
The two factions are led by Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata Banerjee respectively. Both sides have already submitted documents and arguments to the poll panel.
The nomination process for the October 6 by-elections closed on September 16, while scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled to continue until September 19. The Election Commission’s decision could therefore have a direct bearing on how the rival groups proceed in the by-elections.
One possibility being discussed in reports is that the existing symbol could be temporarily frozen if the Commission does not recognise either faction as the authorised claimant. However, this remains a reported possibility and not a final decision by the Election Commission.
4. India face Afghanistan in third and final T20I
In cricket, India will take on Afghanistan today in the third and final T20I of the three-match series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
India have already secured the series after winning the opening two matches. The final game will therefore provide another opportunity for captain Shreyas Iyer and the team management to assess the squad ahead of the Asian Games.
One of the biggest selection questions surrounding the match is whether young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will finally get an opportunity in the playing XI. He was part of India’s squad for the series but did not feature in the first two matches.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. It will be televised in India on the Sony Sports Network, while live digital streaming is available through FanCode.
With the series already decided, attention will be on India’s team combination, the performances of the fringe players and whether Sooryavanshi gets his first opportunity against Afghanistan.
