Narendra Modi begins fast with Advani by his side

Narendra Modi is 61 today. He began the day by touching his mother's feet in a televised moment, tweeted his whereabouts, seeking support for his sadbhavna (amity) mission and reached the Gujarat university exhibition hall exactly on time for his three-day fast for communal harmony. Birthday celebrations had begun. Not a celebration, the Gujarat chief minister was quick to say. "This is the only day when I don't answer the phone, don't meet anyone. I never celebrate. The question of celebrating does not arise today."