For Patel, Modi’s journey is rooted in simplicity and struggle. Both their families worked at the Vadnagar railway station — his father ran a shop while Modi’s father owned a tea stall. Patel paints a vivid picture of those times.
“Only two trains used to arrive at the station, one in the morning and another in the evening. This was when we were in school. Holding a kettle in his hand, Modi would go from one compartment to another to sell tea to train passengers,” said Patel.
Those experiences of meeting strangers, observing the world beyond Vadnagar, and helping his family shaped Modi’s resilience, says Patel.