Family remains untouched by PM Narendra Modi’s rise

[sid_22]

Sombhai Modi, PM Narendra Modi's elder brother

• Unlike the more common trend of relatives gaining in affluence and influence, Sombhai objects to being called the "prime minister’s brother"
• The Modi family’s modest means plays a key role in BJP's aggressive attacks on rivals for promoting dynasts as leaders.

75-year-old Sombhai Modi blows the conch shell at the newly-constructed Sirdi Sai temple in an old age home run by the Sarvodaya Sewa Trust headed by him. The compound recently acquired gates but there is nothing to detract from the relative obscurity and ordinariness that marks the 'aarti' and other rituals that are part of the daily routine at the ashram.

Sombhai's younger brother Narendra Modi's rise+ to the prime ministership has not changed things at the Vadnagar ashram where Sombhai has lived since the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. Modi became chief minister later that year, launching him on a journey that took him to the PM's post, but Sombhai's life remains unchanged as he tends to the elderly and organises blood donation and healthcare camps.

Unlike the more common trend of relatives gaining in affluence and influence, Sombhai objects to being called the "prime minister's brother" and feels comfortable with the lack of attention. Despite repeated requests, Sombhai refuses an interview, saying, "It kills the purpose of not using the position of my younger brother."

(The PM's first cousin Ashokbhai Modi with his wife Vimlaben and their daughter.)

He adds, "There are several people running old age homes like me but you chose to interview me simply because I am Narendra Modi's brother. It encourages dynasty, and may be, relatives and other acquaintances will try to influence people and misuse the power."

Sombhai suggests a visit to Vadnagar town, which has witnessed changes recently with the construction of a new railway station, the one where Modi used to sell tea at an outlet run by his father Damodardas Modi.

Sombhai is not an exception. The Modi clan, descendants of Moolchand Mangilal Modi, Narendra Modi's grandfather, are quite widely spread out. Most lead relatively unremarkable lives. In the time Modi became CM in 2001 and PM in 2014, his extended family remains much the same.

Modi's first cousin Ashokbhai cooks meals at a sevashram in Vadnagar. Ashokbhai cooks 'khichdi' and his wife Vimlaben Modi washes utensils. The couple earns Rs 4,000-5,000 a month to take care of three daughters and a son. In the festival season, he sells kites, firecrackers and puts up stalls at nearby fairs. "I wish Narendrabhai attends my daughters' wedding," says Ashokbhai, who is considerably younger to the PM.

With assembly polls approaching, most family members are cautious, avoiding media glare. One of them says, "Why do we need to even prove that we have no political dreams. We want to live like 125 crore Indians and gain in life through hard work."

Modi's younger sister Vasantiben and her husband Hansmukhbhai Modi, who retired from LIC, live in a row house at Vishnagar, some 90 km from Ahmedabad.

The Modi family's modest means plays a key role in BJP's aggressive attacks on rivals for promoting dynasts as leaders. Rahul Gandhi is the prime target as was Akhilesh Yadav in the UP elections. BJP's slogan of "politics of performance" is buttressed by the lack of change in the Modi family's fortunes.

Modi's youngest brother Pankajbhai, an officer with the state information department, is the most well known, thanks to mother Heeraben staying with him in his three-room house in Ahmedabad. Modi visits on occasions, including his birthday to take his mother's blessings.

Another older brother, Amrutbhai, retired from a private company as a fitter in 2005. He settled in Ghatlodia Colony in Ahmedabad. His family's austerity has helped Modi avoid being tagged for nepotism though some family members rue that the PM should attend a family dinner. That does not seem very likely though.

[sattipandu]

so evarikii em cheyyatledhu anamaata modi ani piscop navvuthunnadu 

[Android_Halwa]

yeah, polavaram news chusina iyala....emi chestaledu anta kada chekka bodi vuncle

[Bhai]

1 hour ago, sattipandu said:

so evarikii em cheyyatledhu anamaata modi ani piscop navvuthunnadu 

[uttermost]

chinnappudu tea ammanu, railway sweeper ga pani chesanu ani buss kottadu ga.

anthaku minchi manchi em cheyyagalthadu vaalla family ki.

[LordOfMud]

[Amrita]

Kalam also didnt help family with influence though he supported with his salary. Of course kalam is a great person.

[uttermost]

Modi used his family in the worst possible way to get into power. He's like that asshole son, that I won't like to have.

[batman]

18 minutes ago, uttermost said:

Modi used his family in the worst possible way to get into power. He's like that asshole son, that I won't like to have.

do you even have an iota of idea(brain which dont have) what it takes to get to power/win election? what way did he use his family?

i dont know abt your son but you talk very much like a person born out of aszhole and not a womb

[uttermost]

1 minute ago, batman said:

do you even have an iota of idea(brain which dont have) what it takes to get to power/win election? what way did he use his family?

i dont know abt your son but you talk very much like a person born out of aszhole and not a womb

Modi supporters. lol.

Earlier they used to abuse the opposition leader for abuses against their leader. Now they have graduated to abusing you.

[uttermost]

3 minutes ago, batman said:

do you even have an iota of idea(brain which dont have) what it takes to get to power/win election? what way did he use his family?

i dont know abt your son but you talk very much like a person born out of aszhole and not a womb

I ran away from home twice at 13 and 15 for about a week, and worked in an Andhra hotel, slept on railway platforms.

should I write my memoir as a rags to riches story, when my father gave me whatever money I asked for, after he pleaded me to come back home?

is that an insult to my family or not? similarly, Modi by claiming that he's a tea seller, or his earlier photo about being a sweeper, has insulted his family. Is it that hard to follow this logic?

[uttermost]

9 minutes ago, batman said:

do you even have an iota of idea(brain which dont have) what it takes to get to power/win election? what way did he use his family?

i dont know abt your son but you talk very much like a person born out of aszhole and not a womb

are you the dumbfcuk that claims that Modi sacrificed so much for 'power'?

like people were really egging him on as 'The one', like in the movie The Matrix. lol.

[batman]

5 minutes ago, uttermost said:

Modi supporters. lol.

Earlier they used to abuse the opposition leader for abuses against their leader. Now they have graduated to abusing you.

where did i abuse?? stop being delusional cry baby  check i haven't used any words that you did not....anyways its not abuse...its more like showing you a mirror. if that has riled you so much that means you got the point

[jpismahatma]

Calling @potti potato aka @VizagR0cks

[uttermost]

Just now, batman said:

where did i abuse?? stop being delusional cry baby  check i haven't used any words that you did not....anyways its not abuse...its more like showing you a mirror. if that has riled you so much that means you got the point

I used it against a political leader, moron. keep up. lol.