The Mother Who Shaped Narendra Modi – Prof. Jasim Mohammad

Numerous great leaders have had numerous great accomplishments. Many books have chronicled their achievements, speeches, hardships, and victories. However, quite often, there is an often unknown hero of these leaders who has received little or no credit for their contribution; namely, their mothers.

So when we think about Narendra Modi as the prime minister of our nation, we will typically talk about his political career and vision for India and also his leadership qualities. However, there is a mother that has contributed greatly to this heroic journey — Maa Heeraben Modi — who is an ordinary woman that doesn’t want any credit or recognition for all she’s done.

Maa Heeraben was not born into privilege. She did not have the education that most people would say is required to make it in life. She never held any position of power. She has never published any books, spoken at public functions, or participated in televised debates. However, she valued something more important than any of these accomplishments — wisdom from her experiences, discipline developed through difficulty, and love for her family.

Maa Heeraben Modi is, in many ways, the story of millions of mothers in India. She lived simply in a small home where every rupee came from hard work and sacrifice. They struggled financially and often faced great challenges every day; but she had taught her children that character is more important than money; respect is earned through character not by being rich.

Maa Heeraben saw being a mother as more than just doing a job; she viewed it as a mission she had to carry out throughout her entire life. She got up before the sun rose in the morning and worked tirelessly till the end of the day providing her children with food, and with moral values to guide them through their lives. Some of these morals were: honesty, work ethic, respect for others, and not being conceited. Together, these values were the foundation upon which Narendra Modi would build his life’s work and personae as he became a public figure.

One of the characteristics of Maa Heeraben that has become most noticeable was her ability to be happy without many things to her name. Today, we tend to think that happiness comes from material things. However, Maa Heeraben’s life was about living life to the fullest regardless of one’s material possessions. Her contentment came from knowing she had inner strength and this strength inspired everyone around her.

PM Narendra Modi has spoken countless times about the difficulties he and his family experienced while growing up, but when he does speak about those times, it is not from a place of resentment but instead, gratitude. Much of that gratitude is reserved for his mother who took his family’s difficulties and made them a lesson of perseverance. She instilled her strength into her children through her teachings so that when they had to face difficulties, they would tackle them with courage and resolve rather than be broken by them.

The greatness of Maa Heeraben arose from her ordinariness. She exemplified the innumerable women that create households knowing they will never receive recognition for their efforts but simply for being mothers. Every single day she performed acts of selflessness and sacrifice that may have appeared minute, but were critical to the future of her family. She sacrificed her own desires for the benefit of her children’s lives. She worried more about what their futures would hold than what hers would be. These types of sacrifices rarely receive media coverage; however, they create the future of families, and thus, create the future of nations.

After Narendra Modi emerged as one of India’s most highly regarded leaders, Maa Heeraben had not changed one iota due to his fame. She still lived the way she lived prior to his becoming a powerful figure. She had not pursued power as many women might; rather she lived simply and adhered to the same discipline and routines she followed to bring him to this position in life. The essence of simplicity was one of the most powerful lessons that she taught to society.

Maa Heeraben and Narendra Modi had a relationship based on love, trust, and respect. Whenever he accomplished something of great importance in his political career, he would always go to his mother to seek her blessing. There were many millions of people in India who were influenced by these visits because it had something in common with all of them; this was a representation of the relationship between a mother and her children, no matter how much time had passed, regardless of who the mother and the child were; they remained connected as a mother and child.

Maa Heeraben’s significance lies not solely in being the mother of India’s Prime Minister but also in the values she exemplified. She personified honesty when shortcuts were acceptable, humility when self-promotion was the norm, and self-sacrifice when self-interest was the order of the day. Her life served as a reminder that character is the foundation of greatness.

Maa Heeraben represented (and continues to represent) the essence of motherhood in India. Mothers from every village, city and town identify with the struggles, sacrifices, and aspirations for their children that she experienced in her life. Her life also signifies the important yet silent contribution of mothers whose work is often overlooked by society and the nation.

A mother’s effect does not typically happen right away, but accumulates over time and ultimately represents the overall character of a child. The confidence she gives a child, the values she teaches and the discipline she provides all contribute to the way a child will grow up. Through the life experiences of Narendra Modi while he was alive and being raised by his mother, he learned lessons that have impacted his character as a leader and public servant and continue to inspire him as he moves forward helping others.

The entire nation of India grieves the loss of her mother recently, as PM Modi referred to her as a representation of both humility and strength during her death in December 2022. The family feels incomplete since the death of his mother but also have each been inspired by Him and her teachings, thus creating an incredible legacy of service for generations to follow and live by.

The year of 2026 is the 103rd anniversary of Maa Heeraben’s birth; however, we must remember that history isn’t built solely around those who are known for their abilities or vocal presence; history is being created every day by individuals who quietly raise their families in their own home. Maa Heeraben Modi exemplifies this type of individual, as she left behind a legacy to inspire and help others without seeking accolades or fame for herself.

MAA Heeraben’s story ultimately illustrates an important point: great accomplishments often occur due to the love, sacrifice, and guidance of a simple woman behind her son. Unlike many women of power and position, her life was a testament to values — and probably for this reason, she continues to influence millions of people today. She will always be remembered as the simple MAA of an extraordinary man.

(Author is Professor and Chairman of Centre for NaMo Studies. Email: profjasimmd@gmail.com )