Heeraben, The Woman Behind PM Modi’s Success

Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat express connecting Bengal’s Howrah and New Jalpaiguri in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In fond tributes to his mother Hiraben following her death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday he always felt in her the presence of a trinity combining an ascetic’s journey, a selfless doer, and a life committed to values. Modi’s mother Hiraben passed away at a hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday. She was 99.

Let’s have a sneak-peak into the ordinary life of the mother of larger-than-life Prime Minister Narendra Modi.PM Modi’s mother.

Heeraben was born in Palanpur and shifted to Vadnagar after marriage.  She was barely 15-16 years old when she got married.

Also Read: PM Modi’s Mother Hiraben Modi Passes Away, PM Arrives For Final Rites

Due to a financial crunch and family restrictions, she never got an opportunity to study. However, she wanted all her children to be educated.

PM Modi’s brother Prahlad Modi had once said: “Financial conditions of the family were such we did not have money to pay fees but mother never borrowed money and made sure fees is paid by doing some job.”

PM Modi studied at a primary school in Vadnagar till Class 7. The family did not have enough money to pay school fees. PM Modi had only one uniform, and whenever the uniform got torn, Heeraben would patch up the uniform with some other colored cloth.

In Vadnagar, Heeraben used to treat small children and females with home remedies. “She used to draw water from the well twice a day, which made her back strong. She used to go to the pond every day to wash clothes and climb so many steps that made her legs and entire body strong. She never ate anything from outside, and this is why you see her son today is a world leader.” PM Modi’s brother had said during an interaction with India Today.

PM Modi’s 18-Hour Working Secret: Home Minister Amit Shah on several occasions mentioned that the PM works 18 hours a day. However, Pralahad Modi once said that the inspiration was driven by Hiraben. “Father did a lot of hard work. My mother used to work the entire day. The whole media and world say PM Modi works 18 hours a day. The inspiration came from my mother, Heeraba.”

 Heeraba was a very spiritual person and she believed that one should dedicate our life to the country. She was illiterate but her husband, Damodar, would read her sacred books.”

PM Modi, who is scheduled to attend several programs later in the day, has reportedly not canceled any of those and left for Ahmedabad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat express connecting Bengal’s Howrah and New Jalpaiguri in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Also, present on the occasion were Governor CV Ananda Bose and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav.

Besides various political personalities across party lines, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday offered condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the passing away of his mother Heeraben Modi.

Bhagwat said that Heeraben Modi remained committed to her values and had an unwavering faith in the almighty despite the extreme difficulties she endured in her life. In a statement, the RSS chief said, “The demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s revered mother Heera ba brings to an end the life of an ascetic. Each and every Swayamsevak of the RSS offers tributes to the departed soul. Mataji remained committed to values and had an unwavering faith in the Almighty despite the extreme difficulties she endured in her life. She led a dutiful and meaningful life.”

“We offer our deepest condolences to Shri Narendra bhai Modi and his family in this hour of grief. May the departed soul attain Moksha! Om Shanti!” he added.
The Prime Minister performed the last rites of his mother Heeraben Modi in Gandhinagar.