Vadnagar: Ancient town that shaped Modi's early years

Vadnagar, a town with a population of around 40,000, is one of Gujarat's oldest settlements, with evidence of continuous habitation for over 2,500 years. In recent years, archaeological excavations have revealed remains from the Mauryan and Buddhist periods. The town hosts the Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum, a civil hospital, schools and colleges.

- Maulik Pathak

It is also the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the narrow lanes of Ghanchi Pol at Lala Levani Sheri, where Modi spent his early years, memories of the PM remain alive. Sakriba Patel, 97, who lives next to what was once the Modi family home, recalled Modi's late mother, Hiraben.

The original house no longer exists, leaving a vacant plot. "Hiraba used to help her husband. Many times, she would leave the little Narendra with me. He was very playful. He must have been hardly five then," she said.

The Union government's Prerna School initiative has restored the building where Modi received his primary education. Under this programme, students from across India visit the school to engage in experiential learning and connect with the PM's early life and the town's heritage. A blood donation drive, puja at the Hatkeshwar temple, an eye donation camp, and a sukhadi cutting have been planned to celebrate Modi's birthday by the local Bharatiya Janata Party unit. Sukhadi, a traditional sweet made with wheat flour, ghee and jaggery, will be distributed among locals in place of a birthday cake.