Prime Minister Modi shares morning ritual with peacocks and cows ahead of Independence Day

Prime Minister Modi shares morning ritual with peacocks and cows ahead of Independence Day

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a personal glimpse into his morning routine on August 15, 2026, sharing a video of himself feeding peacocks and cows at his official residence before departing for India's 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

The video, posted on Instagram, shows Modi feeding grains to peacocks during his morning walk and exercise session at Panchavati, his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. The 4.9-hectare complex, comprising five bungalows built in the 1980s, has served as the permanent residence for Indian Prime Ministers since Rajiv Gandhi first moved there in 1984. The road itself was renamed from Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg, meaning 'Path of Public Welfare', in September 2016.

In the footage, Modi is also seen feeding and gently stroking cattle kept at the residence, including indigenous breeds and miniature varieties. Among these are Punganur cows, a rare indigenous breed native to Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, recognized as one of the world's smallest humped cattle breeds at just 70-90 centimeters in height. India recognizes 50 indigenous cattle breeds, according to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Feeding my friends every morning is a daily routine

Modi wrote in his post that the animals appeared to sense his early departure and came to meet him before he left for the Red Fort. He described the encounter as special, as always.

This is not the first time Modi has shared moments with animals at his residence on social media. In January 2025, he posted about a calf named Deepjyoti born to one of the cows at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, demonstrating a longstanding pattern of caring for and publicly sharing about the animals kept there.

The peacocks featured in the video have become familiar figures in Modi's social media posts and are regularly seen during his early morning walks on the lawns of his residence.

Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort

Following this quiet morning interlude, Modi proceeded to the Red Fort to deliver his 13th consecutive Independence Day address to the nation. The ceremony marked 80 years since India gained freedom from British rule in 1947, continuing a tradition begun by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who raised the national flag at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947. This year's celebration included a special milestone, as the national song Vande Mataram was rendered at the Red Fort Independence Day ceremony for the first time, commemorating 150 years of the song's legacy.

Modi has frequently shared photographs and videos featuring animals, birds and nature alongside updates on his official engagements. The latest post again highlighted his daily interaction with the animals at his residence, giving followers a rare glimpse of his routine away from formal government events.