Indian PM Modi performs last rites of his mother Heeraben in Gandhinagar

The last rites of Heeraben Modi, mother of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were performed at a crematorium in Gandhinagar on Friday.

Heeraben passed away at the UN Mehta hospital in Ahmedabad, where she was admitted on Wednesday for some heart-related problems. Narendra Modi and his elder brother, Somabhai, gave the 'agnidah' to the mortal remains of Heeraben.

Former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela personally condoled with the Prime Minister at the crematorium. Modi flew down early in the morning from Delhi and paid floral tributes to his mother.

The Vadnagar town will remain shut for the day as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Vadnagar traders Association has appealed to the members to keep shutters down.

Union Surface and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari while paying tributes said in his tweet, "May his soul rest in peace, and I pray to god to give strength to the family to endure the pain."

Congress party's president Mallikarjun Kharge paid tribute to Heeraben by saying, "Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Heeraben Modi. My heartfelt condolences to Narendra Modi on the loss of his beloved mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family in this hour of grief.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, paying condolences, has said, "For any son's mother in the entire world, mother's demise is unbearable for any son, I am sad to hear the news."

Congress party's General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paying tribute tweeted, "May god give strength to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family to face the demise of Heeraben."

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar led the nation in mourning the demise of Modi's mother Heeraben.

Taking to twitter, the President said in Hindi, "A lifelong struggle (hundred years) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heera ba is a symbol of Indian ideals. Shri Modi imbibed the spirit of '#Matridevobhav' and the values of Heeraben in his life. I pray for the peace of the holy soul. My condolences to the family!."

Recalling Heeraben as an embodiment of simplicity and sublimity, the Vice-President paid homage to the departed soul. "Deeply condole the death of mother of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Smt. Heeraben Modi. She exemplified simplicity and sublimity reflecting the virtuosity of motherhood," the Vice-President Secretariat tweeted, quoting Dhankhar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tributes to the Prime Minister's mother underlining her sacrificial ascetic life will always be remembered.
A mother, the Home Minister said, is the first friend and teacher of a person's life and the pain of losing her is undoubtedly the biggest pain in the world.

"The struggles faced by Heera Ba to nurture the family are a role model for all. Her sacrificial ascetic life will always be in our memory. The entire nation stands with Prime Minister Modi and his family in this hour of grief. The prayers of crores of people are with you (Modi). Om Shanti," he tweeted.
Several other BJP leaders also joined them in expressing their grief.

Cutting across party lines, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences on the death of Heera ben. "The news of the demise of Heera Ben, mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is extremely sad. At this difficult time, I extend my deepest condolences and love to him and his family".
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin tweeted, "Dear Prime Minister @NarendraModi,

“We all know the emotional bond you had with your beloved mother Hiraba. The grief of losing one's mother is too hard to bear for anyone. I am deeply saddened and no words can describe how sorry I am for your loss. Sending my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences in this hour of grief. May you find peace & comfort in the memories you shared with your mom."

Meanwhile, responding to the homages, Modi's family source said, "We thank everyone for their prayers in these tough times. It is our humble request to everyone to keep the departed soul in their thoughts and continue with their pre decided schedule and commitments. That would be a befitting tribute to Hira ba."

Indo-Asian News Service