Page 55 - NIS English 01-15 July 2022

PM's Blog Nation

elections began, she has voted in every
election, from Panchayat to Parliament. A
few days ago, she had also gone out to vote
in the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation
elections.
She often tells me that nothing can
happen to me as I have blessings from both
the public and the Almighty. She reminds me
that leading a healthy lifestyle and ensuring
personal well-being are necessary if I want
to continue to serve the people.
Earlier, Mother would strictly follow the
Chaturmaas rituals. She also knows my own
personal habits during Navratri. Now, she
has started telling me that I should ease
these strict personal rules as I have followed
them for quite a long time.
I have never heard Mother complain about
anything in life. Neither does she complain
about anyone, nor does she keep any
expectations from anyone.
Even today, there are no assets in
Mother’s name. I have never seen her wear
any gold ornaments, and she has no interest
either. Like earlier, she continues to lead an
extremely simple lifestyle in her small room.
Mother has immense faith in the Divine,
but at the same time, she remained afar
from superstitions and inculcated the same
qualities in us. She has traditionally been a
Kabirpanthi and continues to follow those
customs in her daily prayers. She spends
a lot of time doing japa with her mala of
beads. Engrossed in daily worship and japa, Whenever I speak to
she often ends up even forgoing sleep.
Sometimes, my family members hide the her on the phone, she
prayer beads so that she falls asleep. says “Never do anything
Despite her advanced age, Mother has a
good memory. She remembers decades-old wrong or anything bad
incidents vividly. Whenever some relatives
visit her, she immediately recalls their with anyone and keep
grandparents’ names and identifies them working for the poor.”
accordingly.
She keeps herself abreast of developments

New India Samachar July 1-15, 2022 53