Narendra Modi speaks to Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Kanubhai, offers help

May 15, 2016 02:24 am | Updated May 16, 2016 01:12 pm IST - NEW DELHI

SHARED MEMORIES: Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma looks on as Kanubhai Gandhi, grandson of Gandhiji, talks to PM Narendra Modi on the phone in New Delhi on Sunday. Photo: PTI

SHARED MEMORIES: Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma looks on as Kanubhai Gandhi, grandson of Gandhiji, talks to PM Narendra Modi on the phone in New Delhi on Sunday. Photo: PTI

Taking note of a >report in The Hindu , Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Kanubhai Ramdas Gandhi, who has been living with his wife at an old-age home in outer Delhi.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma, who had been asked by Mr. Modi to visit Mr. Kanubhai at the Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram – Sheows, enquired about his needs and assured all possible help.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister’s Office stated: “PM @narendramodi has taken note of reports about Kanubhai Gandhi. He asked Minister @dr_maheshsharma to meet Kanubhai.”

At the home, Mr. Sharma asked 87-year-old Kanubhai to speak to the Prime Minister.

Spoke in Gujarati

“PM @narendramodi and Kanubhai had a long conversation. They spoke in Gujarati and had a very pleasant discussion,” the PMO informed in a second tweet.

Excited by his interaction with Mr. Modi, Mr. Kanubhai — the son of the Mahatma’s third son Ramdas Gandhi — said: “He understood everything in Gujarati. I am an old fan of Mr. Modi. Whatever little help that I had done long ago, he said he remembers that. When we had last met, Sonia Gandhi was against both of us [PM & him].”

Asked how he felt with the visit of Mr. Sharma, he said, “I was happy then, I’m happy now as well. He [Mahesh Sharma] came here to meet me, we had a good talk.”

“I asked if they wanted anything or any other place to stay, but he did not answer clearly. He was very happy to speak with the PM. Both [the PM and Kanubhai] had a cheerful conversation where they refreshed some memories from the past,” said Mr. Sharma.

On May 14, The Hindu was the first to report that the couple — after spending over four decades in the United States — were living in an old-age home in the capital.

They arrived in Delhi on May 8 after staying in various ashrams in Gujarat for a year-and-a-half.

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