Prime Minister Narendra Modi bid final adieu to his mother Hiraben Modi on Friday morning. Hiraben died at the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in Ahmedabad at 3.30 am. She was 99.
The mortal remains of the PM’s mother were consigned to flames at a crematorium in Gandhinagar. “Hiraben Modi passed away on December 30 at 3.30 am during the treatment at U N Mehta Heart Hospital", the medical bulletin said
After learning about her death, Modi flew to Ahmedabad and straightaway drove to the house of his younger brother Pankaj Modi at Raysan village on the outskirts of Gandhinagar. The PM’s mother lived with his brother.
A stoic-looking PM offered floral tributes to his mother and bowed down at her feet. Later, the PM shouldered her mortal remains on way to the cremation ground for the last rites. Modi and his brothers performed the last rites and lit the funeral pyre of their mother. A family member told reporters that a condolence meet would be organised a few days later at Modi's native place Vadnagar.
Despite the enormity of the tragedy, Modi decided to carry on with his official engagements and directed the Union Ministers to continue with their engagements. After attending the last rites of his mother. Modi went ahead with the launch of projects worth `7,800 crore in West Bengal, choosing to do so through via video-conferencing instead of being in the eastern State physically as scheduled earlier.
Within hours after he performed the last rites of his mother in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, the PM virtually attended two back-to-back meetings — flagging off the new Vande Bharat Express between Howrah and New Jalpaiguri and chairing the meeting of the National Ganga Council — through video conferencing.
Earlier, the PM tweeted that "a great journey of 100 years" has ended with his mother's demise. "A great journey of 100 years has come to an end. I have witnessed three qualities in mother, a journey like that of a tapasvi (saint), a selfless worker and life dedicated to values," Modi tweeted.
"When I met her on her 100th birthday she told one thing which I always remember. "Kam karo buddhi thi, jivan jivo suddhi thi" (work using your brain and live life with purity," he said in the tweet.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at an event in Kerala that the PM told them (Ministers) to not cancel their scheduled programmes and return to Delhi only after completing their work. Home Minister Amit Shah also went ahead with his programme in Karnataka.
BJP leaders shared pictures of the PM attending the official events in Bengal virtually as they heaped praise on him for putting the "country first". Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "Grief-stricken, but country first!! An only too well-known characteristic of our Prime Minister."
"He continues to participate in pre-scheduled events, just hours after performing the last rites of his mother. A true Karmayogi veritably. Hats off! Countless workers like us are inspired and energized by your supreme efforts and commitment," Thakur said.
Another Union Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, praised Modi's dutifulness, dedication and sacrifice. Praising the PM's commitment, his Cabinet colleague Giriraj Singh said it is not possible for a man to have so much dedication.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai tweeted, "Nation first, Self last. My PM, My Pride!"
BJP national general secretary C T Ravi said, "Nothing, not even personal loss will stop PM Narendra Modi from discharging his duties for Bharata Mata." Modi had visited the Ahmedabad hospital to inquire about his mother's health on Wednesday after learning about her condition. After spending over an hour at the hospital on that day, the PM had left for Delhi after doctors informed him that her health was stable. He had also spoken to doctors at the hospital, a government-funded autonomous medical facility.
The PM regularly visited Raysan and spent time with his mother during most of his Gujarat visits.
