5 little-known stories that reveal the human side of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

File: Modi seeks blessings from his mother Heeraben at her residence in Gandhinagar in 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75 on September 17. As the world fondly remembers Modi and recounts his legacy as the Prime Minister of India, there are many stories of him as a human being that have touched countless hearts. These moments of service, simplicity and symbolism shaped the man we know today. Here are some of them:

1. Relief work after the Machchhu Dam tragedy (1979)

Long before Narendra Modi entered national politics, he was at the forefront of relief work during the 1979 Machchhu Dam tragedy in Gujarat's Morbi, where nearly 25,000 people lost their lives.

At the time, Modi mobilised an “army of RSS volunteers” for immediate relief. Cremation of corpses, reconstruction of villages and supply of essentials were organised without any discrimination. The inclusivity of his efforts were commendable.

Despite later accusations of communal bias, Modi ensured Muslim families too were cared for during Eid. He even set up a special body — Pur Pidhit Sahayta Samiti — to raise funds and resources. Arrangements were made for them as well. And it was ensured that they could celebrate the festival properly.

2. Visit to mother after 2014 election win

On May 16, 2014, as Modi led the BJP to a historic victory in the general election, he made a quiet but powerful gesture. Instead of basking in the limelight, he drove straight to Gandhinagar to seek blessings from his mother, Heeraben.

What surprised the foreign media covering the event was the modest setting. His mother was living with her younger son in a small government quarter on the ground floor. The house could not even accommodate 10 cameras. There was a small bed and Modi was sitting in front of her and talking to her.

That moment reflected the Prime Minister’s deep-rooted simplicity. As he has often said, “He could compromise 100% for the nation and 50% for the party, personally I could not compromise even 1%.”

3. Litchis for a retired schoolteacher

In 2018, there was a deeply personal encounter that highlighted Modi’s human side. My mother, a retired schoolteacher suffering from dementia, was invited to meet the Prime Minister.

At 10 o’clock sharp, PM Modi arrived with an attendant. The attendant had a box in his hand, which was then placed on a small table in front of my mother. Modi said, ‘I have brought this for you.’ Inside the box were litchis — fresh from Dehradun.

The Prime Minister not only offered her the fruit with affection but also engaged her in long conversations about her early teaching days. Before leaving, he folded his hands and said, “Mother, please bless me so that we can do something good for the country.” He even filled the children’s pockets with chocolates. It is due to such gestures that Narendra Modi is loved by so many people.

4. His first day as chief minister (2001)

When Modi took oath as Gujarat’s Chief Minister on 7 October 2001, his very first statement set the tone for his governance.

Immediately after taking the oath, his statement was very commendable. He said that I have not come here to play a test match. I have come here to play one day.

It was not mere symbolism. He introduced Karmyogi training camps, even roping in IIM Ahmedabad to train ministers — a first in Indian politics. As I observed then, this was a welcome change in the history of Gujarat, when a Chief Minister went about in a missionary way to improve not only his own performance but also that of his government.

5. Quiet patriotism (1960s)

Patriotism was ingrained in Modi’s life long before he assumed office. As a teenager during the 1971 war with Pakistan, he would quietly go to railway stations to help soldiers.

During the 1965 India-Pakistan war, he went to the Mehsana railway station to serve tea, breakfast and perform other small services for soldiers heading toward the conflict zone.

That youthful experience shaped his lifelong commitment to the armed forces. Today, his tradition of celebrating Diwali with soldiers at the nation’s borders is an extension of those formative years. This is a larger message that signals solidarity with the soldiers, who have come from every corner of the country to protect the borders of India.

(Brajesh Kumar Singh is a veteran journalist who has covered Indian politics for over 30 years. He is currently serving as Group Editor at Network18)