Narendra Modi's family waits for the grand ceremony

AHMEDABAD: The demands of public life meant that Narendra Modi – even before he became a party secretary or a chief minister or a prime ministerial candidate – could give little time for his family. His brothers, though they don’t see him all that much, were predictably happy for his success.

His elder sibling Soma Modi said what he expects of the Prime Minister-designate was what the people of India expect of him. “My brother has reached the pinnacle. He is there to serve the nation and deliver what its people expect from him. My expectations are in sync with the people of this nation and I know he will deliver.”

The younger brother, Prahlad Modi was more expressive of his joy. “If the countrymen are celebrating and are happy, imagine our happiness today. We are his family. The extent of my happiness cannot be measured,” said Prahlad, who owns a fair price shop in Ahmedabad. He is also a minor public official in his capacity as the vicepresident of the All India Fair Price Shop. When Modi’s marriage to Jasodaben had become an ‘electoral’ issue, the brothers were supportive and had defended him.

Now, Prahlad finds it easier to talk about her. “She is our bhabhi and we empathise with her.” Modi’s youngest brother Pankaj Modi, who is a government official, was besides their mother Hiraba during the day.