Key Points:
PM Modi’s childhood friends, Daulat Khan Pathan, shared what it was like growing up with him on his 76th birthday.
Pathan told news agency IANS about how the Modi community and the Pathan community used to be neighbours back in the day.
The families of Pathan and Modi were in financial distress during those days.
THOUSANDS OF WISHES poured in for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday, which was on September 17, 2026. Some reminisced about tales from his early years, while others wished him a healthy life and expressed their gratitude for his leadership. PM Modi’s decade-long political journey was indeed a matter of discussion. From being the Chief Minister of Gujarat to serving as the Prime Minister for three terms, light was shed on his personal and professional life.
But did you know what PM Modi was like when he was in school? PM Modi was born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, in 1950 and belonged to a Hindu family. As r reports, he was born into a poor family and was the third among six children. One of Modi’s childhood friends, Doulat Khan Pathan, shared what it was like growing up with him on his 76th birthday. Here is a lesser-known story of the Indian PM.
Daulat Khan Pathan told news agency IANS about how the Modi community and the Pathan community used to be neighbours back in the day. From crossing each other’s paths frequently, Pathan and Modi became the best of friends. Referring to his childhood friend as “PM Sahab,” Pathan shared that they both attended Prerana School in Vadnagar until the seventh standard.
The families of Pathan and Modi were in financial distress during those days. Pathan’s family solely relied on his father’s pension after he passed away, while Modi’s family was dependent on their father’s earnings. Narendra Modi’s father, Damodardas Moolchand Modi, owned a tea shop, where he would also go to help.
Pathan shared that their communities lived in harmony. They would play together and even live like one family. “There were no issues or conflicts—we lived in harmony and always helped one another,” recalled Pathan. He further shared that, while growing up, they only owned two sets of clothes and would wear them alternately. One of the most significant stories Pathan remembered was when the duo wanted to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1961.
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Pathan shared that, back in the day, one rupee was required to register with the RSS, and both Modi and Pathan pulled out all the stops to gather the money. According to Pathan, they both tried to persuade their mothers to give them the money. While PM Modi went to Pathan’s house to talk to his mother, Pathan went to persuade PM Modi’s mother, Heeraben, for the registration money.
After that, Pathan said that his money was returned due to his Muslim background. He further shared that PM Modi was adamant about leaving the RSS if Pathan was not there. It was Pathan who urged PM Modi to remain in the RSS.
They met in 2009 when PM Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and told NDTV that the duo reminisced about their childhood memories during their meeting. Pathan remembered how PM Modi joked about giving him “half of Gujarat” after his retirement. Pathan never really joined politics, but years later, their friendship still continues to be strong.
[VS]
(Edited By Harsh Pandey)
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