Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother, Hiraba, passed away on last Friday morning at an Ahmedabad hospital. She was 100.
Due to medical concerns, Hiraba was admitted on Wednesday to the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in Ahmedabad. “Hiraba Modi passed away on 30/12/2022, at 3:30 morning, during the treatment at UN Mehta Heart Hospital,” the medical bulletin said.
She lived with her younger son Pankaj Modi, a retired government official at Raysan village in Gandhinagar district.
In a tweet, Modi, who flew to Gandhinagar for the last rites, said, “A glorious century rests at the feet of God... In Maa, I have always felt that trinity, which contains the journey of an ascetic, the symbol of a selfless Karmayogi and a life committed to values.” He added, “When I met her on her 100th birthday, she said one thing - Always remembered - Work with intelligence, live life with purity.”
Modi first visited Raysan and then a crematorium in Gandhinagar for the last rites.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, his predecessor Vijay Rupani, and former Union minister Shankersinh Vaghela was among those who attended the funeral.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “The news of the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba is very sad. In this difficult time, I express my deepest condolences and affection to him and his family members.”
PM Modi used to seek Hiraba's blessing on special events like his birthdays and the beginning of election campaigns by meeting her whenever he could while in Gujarat. After the historic victory by the BJP in the state elections, he recently paid Hiraba a visit at her home in Raysan.
Condolences pour in after PM Modi’s mother demise
Condolence messages poured in from India and throughout the world as soon as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his mother Hiraba passed on December 30th, 2022. Leaders from all political parties, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Chief Ministers, and President Droupadi Murmu, conveyed their sorrow. Many of them remembered her straightforward and kind way of living.
Several world leaders, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, also offered their condolences to the bereaved family.
President tweeted in Hindi “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraba’s hundred years of struggle is a symbol of Indian ideals. Shri Modi imbibed the spirit of #Matradevobhav and the values of Hiraba in his life. I pray for the peace of the holy soul. My condolences to the family!”
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were among the numerous leaders who expressed their sorrow for the loss.
BJP veteran L.K. Advani recalled that the Prime Minister frequently spoke about the unique relationship he had with his mother, about her kindness and simplicity, and how these qualities will always be remembered and mourned by all.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said in a statement, “Mataji’s life was a great example of a meaningful life of continuous work on the strength of devotion to values and unwavering faith in God even in extremely difficult circumstances.”
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal tweeted, “At this hour of grief, I express heartfelt condolences to PM Modi ji and the family members and pray for eternal peace of the departed soul.”
Pakistan’s PM Mr. Sharif said, “There is no greater loss than losing one’s mother. My condolences to PM Narendra Modi on the passing away of his mother.”