PM's mother backs note ban, visits bank to exchange old notes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 97-year-old mother Hiraba today visited a bank at her village near Gandhinagar, and exchanged her old notes as she lent her support to the demonetisation move, saying "whatever has happened is for good".
Accompanied by relatives, Hiraba came to a branch of Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) at Raisan village this morning, and got notes worth Rs 4,500 exchanged.
She visited the bank with Rs 500 notes, got the mandatory form filled, put her thumb impression on the form and exchanged her money.
After receiving a new note of Rs 2,000, she displayed it in front of media persons, who virtually mobbed her as they sought her reaction on the demonetisation move, which has led to millions standing in queues infront of banks and ATMs to exchange old currency notes or withdraw cash.

"Whatever has happened is for good," she said, lending support to the move by his son to demonetise high value notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.
Hiraba lives with Modi's younger brother Pankaj in Raisan on the outskirts of Gandhinagar.

An official of OBC said the Prime Minister's mother came to the bank like any other citizen, waited outside in the line for senior citizens and went inside when her turn came.
"She does not have an account with our bank, but as per the government's announcement, a citizen can go to any bank branch and get notes exchanged. Hence, we exchanged her notes," he said.

The PM had visited his mother on September 17 to take her blessings on his 66th birthday.
Hiraba is known to lead a simple life and travels in public transport. Last time, when she visited Gandhinagar Civil Hospital for a regular medical check-up, she was seen going in an autorickshaw.
Modi had on November 8 in a surprise move announced scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes to curb black money menace.