Heeraben Modi: The inspiration behind PM’s welfare schemes for women

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Heeraben passed away at a private hospital in Ahmedabad early morning on Friday, two days after she was admitted for treatment at the cardiology Centre. She was 99.

The private hospital where she was admitted issued a statement saying Heeraben Modi passed away at 3:30 am during treatment. Prime Minister Modi, who was scheduled to attend some programmes in Kolkata, performed the last rites in the presence of his brothers and other family members at a crematorium in Gandhinagar.

Modi had rushed to Ahmedabad on December 28 afternoon to see his mother soon after she was admitted to the hospital.


Modi carried on his official work with some alterations after the last rites. He flagged off the Vande Bharat train, various development works of railways and Namami Gange and meeting of National Ganga Council through video conferencing. He apologised for not attending the programmes in person due to "personal reasons".

Born on June 18, 1923, Heeraben Modi had five sons- Prahlad, Amrit, Somabhai, Pankaj and Narendra- and a daughter Vasantiben. Modi was greatly influenced by her and has often mentioned her struggles in his speeches and writings.


He had said earlier that when he embarked on his career as a public servant, his mother had taught him never to take a bribe or allow others to take it. The slogan- “Na Khaaunga, Na Khaane Dunga (will neither take a bribe nor let anybody take it”- came from this lesson, Describing her as his teacher whose sacrifices were an inspiration for him, Modi said she was an example of somebody who was learned without having any formal education.

Modi had penned an emotional piece on her last birthday in which he said, “My mother is as simple as she is extra-ordinary. Just like all mothers.” He would visit her every year on her birthday and spend some time with her. Even after his rise to the post of prime minister, Heeraben treated Modi like any mother would treat her son- giving him small amounts of money, feeding him sweets, sharing a meal with him.

No member of Modi’s family lived in the official residence of the prime minister, who had abandoned family life after becoming a Swayamsevak decades back. Heeraben lived in a modest house in Ahmedabad. She visited him a few times at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg and pictures released by his office show Modi taking her around in a wheelchair around the complex.

Modi had on numerous occasions said his mother worked in the homes of other people to earn money to raise her children. This struggle, the prime minister stated often, inspired him to come up with welfare schemes aimed at women and the poor.

Despite her advanced age, Heeraben was active till the end. She was seen standing in a queue outside an ATM post-demonetisation. These gestures also sent out a message of her support for the prime minister.