‘Wherever A Kutchi Lives, Kutch Lives There’: PM Modi On Ashadhi Bij

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended warm greetings to the global Kutchi community on the occasion of Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year, celebrating the community’s enduring cultural heritage and its deep-rooted connection to Kutch despite its presence across the world.

In a message shared on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister quoted a traditional Kutchi saying that reflects the community’s strong attachment to its homeland. He remarked that just as fish thrive in the vast ocean, wherever even a single Kutchi resides, Kutch is present there.

Wishing Kutchi brothers and sisters across India and abroad, PM Modi conveyed his heartfelt greetings for the New Year.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Kutchi community’s enduring cultural identity and its efforts to preserve its traditions across India and abroad.

કચ્છડ઼ો ખેલે ખલકમેં જીં મહાસાગરમેં મચ્છ, જિતે હિકડ઼ો કચ્છી વસે ઉતે ડીંયા ડીં કચ્છ.
અજ આષાઢી બીજ એટલે કચ્છી નયોં વરેં, દેશ અને દુનિયાંમેં વસંધલ કચ્છી ભા-ભેંણેંકે કચ્છી નયેં વરેંજા રામ રામ અને જિજી જિજી વધાઇયું.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2026

Earlier, the Prime Minister also greeted the nation on Jagannath Rath Yatra, describing the festival as a symbol of India’s spiritual heritage that promotes humility, unity and selfless service. He prayed for everyone’s good health, happiness and prosperity.

Greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. This is a radiant expression of India’s timeless spiritual and cultural heritage. The traditions associated with the Rath Yatra have inspired generations across India and the world. They embody humility, collective…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2026

Ashadhi Bij marks the Kutchi New Year, and people across Kutch and the global Kutchi diaspora celebrate it with cultural programmes, community gatherings and the exchange of New Year greetings as the monsoon arrives.

The celebrations coincided with the ongoing Jagannath Rath Yatra, during which lakhs of devotees gathered across the country to witness the grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.

In Gujarat, the annual Ahmedabad Rath Yatra, regarded as the second-largest in India after Puri, attracted large numbers of devotees on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Bij.