Ahmedabad: Speculation is on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will consume anything except 'nimbu paani' (lemon juice) during his US visit later this week as it coincides with Navratri. For decades now, Modi has been fasting during Navratri.
Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi break his decades-old practice of fasting during Navratri as his visit to the US coincides with his nine-day fasts? Those who know the Prime Minister personally believe he will continue this tradition.
His brother Prahlad Modi also doesn't feel so. Prahlad Modi says that having known the Prime Minister closely, he will not change this practice even this year.
Prahlad Modi said, "During the Navratri, he consumers only lemon juice. He will not change that. From my experience and knowing his nature, he will not change this habit."
The 65-year old Mahendra Darji and Prime Minister Modi are childhood pals. They lived next door in Vadnagar and went to school together. Both took part in drama together too. Darji says no matter what the occasion is, Modi will never break tradition by consuming food during Navratri.
Mahendra Darji said, "It can never happen. He will never compromise with his Navratri fasts. He has been doing this continuously during navratri for over 35 years now. His book 'Saakshi Bhaav' is also based on reverence to Maa Bhagwati."
Other acquaintances like Jayshree Pandya, who has been tying rakhi on Modi's wrist during Rakhsha Bandhan for the past 12 years, and Rakesh Bhavsar too believe he will continue the practice of fasting during Navratri.
Rakesh Bhavsar said, "During Navratri he gets up at 5 o'clock in the morning and does his fasts punctually. He firmly believes in it."
So, the White House may offer a multi course dinner to Narendra Modi during his maiden visit as the Prime Minister of India. But, he is unlikely to break his Navratri fast and savour the delicacies at the White House, which is known as the power centre of the world.
Anyway, Modi is a strict vegetarian and a teetotaller. The White House will have to wait till the next visit to offer him dhokhla!
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