Gujarat: Girl’s tears for blind father leaves PM Modi overwhelmed

BHARUCH/SURAT: It was a lump-in-the-throat moment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi when a visually impaired man’s daughter broke down while telling him that she had decided to become a doctor after seeing her father’s ordeal.
Interacting with Modi via video link at ‘Utkarsh Mahotsav’ in Bharuch to celebrate 100% coverage of beneficiaries under four government schemes on Thursday, Ayub Ibrahim Patel, a resident of Vagra village, narrated the academic success of his eldest daughter Aliya, who scored 80% in Class XII, the results of which were declared on Thursday.
When Modi asked her why she wanted to pursue the medical profession, Aliya said it was after seeing her father’s difficulty and pain. But she was so overwhelmed with emotions that she broke down inconsolably.
As Aliya wept and Ayub tried to console her, there was a long pause as Modi also got emotional and tears welled up in the eyes of many present there.
Gathering himself, he told her in a choked voice: “The compassion for your father is your strength.”
The PM also assured Ayub of all help in educating his three daughters. “I congratulate you for making proper use of government assistance. Fulfill your daughters’ aspirations and if there are any hurdles, please reach out to me,” Modi told him.
Ayub’s second daughter Aakhya studies in Class VIII and gets government scholarship while the youngest one Ayesha got admission in Class I under RTE where government will be funding her education upto Class VII.
All study in VCT Girls High School run by Vali Charitable Trust. The sole income of the family is from a shop that has been rented out. Ayub offers honorary services in the Bharuch chapter of a national institute for the visually impaired.
Ayub suffered vision loss 15 years ago due to side-effects of some medicine when he was in Saudi Arabia from 1994 to 1998. When Modi inquired about doctors’ opinion, Ayub said they had lost hope as he also developed glaucoma.
There were some lighter moments too when a widow named Aruna started giggling while telling the PM that she had a tea and samosa cart in Valia taluka. “You thought I would come and have a samosa there?,” Modi said, leaving the audience in splits and reminiscing about his days when he sold tea.
Aruna also informed him that she had been getting Rs 1,250 monthly assistance under a government scheme which has been a huge relief after her husband’s death.