Nagpur: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi alighted from his plane at Nagpur airport on Monday en route to neighbouring Telangana on a chopper, a surprise awaited him in the queue of local BJP leaders, who welcomed him. When Modi walked past, acknowledging local hosts with a smile and folded hands, a voice interrupted him, local media reported.
According to media reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an unexpected gift from local BJP leader Deaven Dasture, marking a memorable interaction amidst political discussions.
Today’s Rate
Tuesday 12 Nov. 2024
Dasture presented Modi with a silver coin embossed with Lord Ram’s image and the Ayodhya temple, a gesture that highlighted the intertwining of faith and politics in India’s contemporary landscape. This incident not only underscored Modi’s appeal among party members but also spotlighted the cultural symbols that resonate within Indian politics.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his way through the welcoming crowd of BJP officials at Nagpur Airport, an ordinary protocol turned into a poignant encounter. Deaven Dasture, seizing the moment, offered Modi a silver coin adorned with religious imagery, encapsulating the deep-seated reverence for Lord Ram within the party’s ethos.
The PM looked closely at the gift and did something which Dasture said he won’t forget. “Modi ji took the gift bearing Lord Ram’s image, closed his eyes and touched it on his forehead. He smiled back and as I bowed to thank him, Modi ji did the same,” said Dasture, who is the former President of BJP, South Nagpur. There were around 20 local BJP party officials present at the airport as part of the welcome team.
Modi’s acceptance and reverent handling of the gift echoed the broader narrative of his government’s commitment to Hindu cultural ideals, reinforcing his image as a leader who respects and upholds these traditions. This exchange was not merely transactional but deeply symbolic, reinforcing a shared identity and values among the party’s followers and leaders alike.
The incident at Nagpur airport, while seemingly a personal interaction, carried significant political undertones. Coming against the backdrop of discussions regarding party nominations and electoral strategies, Modi’s warm reception of the gift underscored his populist appeal and knack for symbolic politics.
This moment of cultural affirmation swiftly captured the public’s imagination, with regional news channels and social media amplifying the narrative. For the local BJP leadership, the event was a reaffirmation of Modi’s accessibility and his role as a custodian of Hindu cultural heritage.
The interaction between Modi and Dasture at Nagpur Airport, while brief, speaks volumes about the current political climate in India. It highlights how cultural symbols such as the Ayodhya temple have become intertwined with the political discourse, serving as a testament to the BJP’s strategy of aligning religious identity with its political agenda.
Furthermore, it reflects the personal charisma of Modi, whose actions continue to endear him to his party’s rank and file, reinforcing his leadership and the ideological direction of the BJP.
