Eulogising Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s commitment to the nation even amid bereavement, defence minister Rajnath Singh said that the PM had instructed his cabinet colleagues not to cancel any pre-scheduled official programmes on account of the demise of his mother Hiraben Modi on Friday.
Rajnath Singh on Friday inaugurated the 90th Sivagiri pilgrimage at Varkala near Thiruvananthapuram. After inaugurating the pilgrimage, he condoled the death of Modi’s mother.
After Rajnath’s address, the meeting observed a minute’s silence and prayed for the departed soul.
Later, speaking to media persons, the defence minister said he had initially thought of skipping the programme and rushing to Delhi after hearing the news of the demise of the PM’s mother.
“The PM said no one should cancel their pre-scheduled programmes and to return only after attending them,” Rajnath said
PM Modi’s mother, Hiraben passed away in a private hospital in Gandhinagar on Friday. After performing the last rites of his mother, Modi returned to performing his official duties.
The PM virtually attended two back-to-back meetings — flagging off the new Vande Bharat Express between Howrah and New Jalpaiguri and chairing the meeting of the National Ganga Council — through video conferencing.