Modi airdashes to Gujarat to pay tribute to Pramukh Swami

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited Botad in Gujarat to pay his last tribute to Pramukh Swami, his 'mentor', who died here on Sunday.

Pramukh Swami belonged to Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swami sect and was 95 at the time of death. He enjoyed a huge following across the world.

The Prime Minister was received by Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and other senior Indian Administrative and Police Service officials at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad. He left for Botad later.

Modi airdashed to Gujarat by a special plane after addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. Immediately from Ahmedabad, he left for Sarangpur in Botad by a helicopter where Pramukh Swami's body was kept for his followers to pay their last homage.

Modi spent about an hour in Sarangpur before returning to Delhi. He described Pramukh Swami as his 'mentor'. Modi frequently visited Pramukh Swami, when he was still the Chief Minister of the state.

All the major state highways leading to Sarangpur and Una in Gujarat witnessed huge rush on Monday, as thousands of devotees jumped into hundreds of buses and vehicles and made their way to the Saurashtra region for Swami.

On other state highways, hundreds made their way to Una to participate in a massive Dalit rally held at the conclusion of the Dalit padyatra, which began on August 5.

--IANS

desai/in/vt