In an extraordinary culinary tribute, renowned Italian chef Valentino Rahim celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday by crafting a unique tricolour millet pizza in Rome. The event took place at Zoya, a well-known restaurant in the heart of the Italian capital, where the chef honoured PM Modi’s global leadership in promoting millets, also referred to as “Shree Anna”, as a sustainable superfood.
This colourful creation wasn’t just about flavour — it was a symbolic gesture. The pizza base was made using millet flour, a nod to the traditional Indian grain that Modi has championed as part of his vision for global food security and healthy diets. The toppings were carefully chosen to reflect the Indian national flag: saffron, white, and green. It was a powerful visual and culinary representation of respect for India’s leader and his campaign to bring millets to the global stage.
Chef Rahim shared his admiration for PM Modi’s foresight, saying, “Tanti Auguri Modi,” — meaning “many best wishes” in Italian — and praised his leadership in advancing sustainable agriculture and nutrition. He called Modi’s millet movement both creative and inspiring, noting that it addresses global concerns such as climate change, food scarcity, and poor dietary habits.
The chef also highlighted the environmental and economic potential of millets, stressing their role in supporting small farmers and promoting biodiversity. The fact that such a tribute came from Italy — the birthplace of pizza — underscores the expanding reach and respect for India’s millet revolution.
This unique moment comes as India begins a 15-day nationwide campaign, Seva Pakhwada, to commemorate PM Modi’s 75th birthday. The campaign will include blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, and exhibitions showcasing the central government’s achievements. It will run from September 17 to October 2, concluding on Gandhi Jayanti.
As part of the birthday celebrations, the award-winning film Chalo Jeete Hain, which reflects Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy that true success lies in serving others, will also be re-released across India beginning September 17.
From a tricolour millet pizza in Rome to nationwide acts of service and cinema, PM Modi’s 75th birthday is being marked with both flavour and purpose — a testament to his global influence and enduring commitment to India’s progress.
