Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned about his childhood friend Abbas Ramsada in a blog post, he has piqued the curiosity of citizens. In his blog post, PM Modi said Abbas Ramsada had lived for over three years at his Vadnagar home in the early 70s and became like a family member. On Monday, PM Modi’s younger brother Prahlad Modi divulged more details on Abbas and his life.
Prahlad Modi said Abbas was presently staying with his son in Sydney, Australia. Abbas was a classmate and friend of Pankaj Modi, the youngest of the Modi siblings, PTI reported.
“Abbas became an integral part of the Modi family,” Prahlad Modi, president of the Gujarat Fair Price Shop Owners Association, told PTI.
Prahlad Modi further said that Abbas was a native of Kesimpa village near Vadnagar town in Mehsana district and was a classmate of Pankaj Modi at Shree BN High School in Vadnagar.
“When Pankaj learnt that Abbas might have to leave his studies midway due to the untimely death in his family, Pankaj urged my parents to do something for his friend. Without any hesitation, my father brought him to our house to ensure that he finishes his education. He stayed with us till the completion of his matriculation,” PTI quoted Prahlad Modi as saying.
Prahlad Modi said Abbas, who lived with the Modi family for almost four years, was allowed to freely follow his religious practice and offer namaz at their home.
“Our family always believed in religious harmony. He was like our younger brother. Abbas used to play garba with us during Navratri too. He later went on to become a government servant and retired as a manager with the Gujarat State Civil Supplies Corporation a few years back. He is now living with one of his sons in Sydney, Australia,” said Prahlad Modi.