Indus Valley Times

By Mahendra Darjee

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday relished Kheer, also called Khir (milk rice), while initiating ‘Gruha Prabvsha’ (entry into newly built houses) of PM Awas beneficiaries at Shabara Sahi area of Gadakana village in Oisha Bhubaneswar on the occasion of his 74th birthday.

The ‘Kheer’ was prepared by Antaryami Naik’s daughter-in-law Sadhabi Naik in an earthen pot. As per the Odia custom, ‘Kheer’ is prepared during ‘Gruha Prabesha.’ Sadhabi served the ‘Kheer’ prepared by her to PM Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and both of them relished the sweet delicacy.

Sadhabi and her family members were on cloud nine after PM Modi enjoyed ‘Kheer’ at their home.

“All of our family members were ecstatic after PM Modi ate ‘Kheer’ prepared by me at our home. We requested him to eat ‘Khiri’ as it was his birthday. He accepted our request gladly and praised us by saying that the ‘Kheer’ was very delicious,” said an elated Sadhabi.

“He also played with my children and allowed us to take photographs with him. He asked us whether we are happy  after getting a new pucca house under PM Awas Yojna or not and we expressed our pleasure,” she added.

Later, PM Modi also mentioned the incident in his speech at Janata Maidan during inauguration of Subhadra Yojana.

“Before coming here, I went to the home of a tribal family to attend their ‘Gruha Prabesh’ event. My sister in that family gave me ‘Khiri’ to eat. And when I was eating that Khiri, it was obvious that I missed my mother,” said PM Modi.

“When my mother was alive, I always used to visit her on my birthday to seek her blessings. My mother used to feed me ‘Gud’ (jaggery) by hand. She is not there anymore but my Adivasi mother fed me ‘Kheeri’ and gave me birthday blessings,” he added.

What impressed the villagers and crores of audience as they watched PM Modi worshipping Lord Jagannath at Naik’s home like an ordinary man.

Later, he interacted with other PM Awas beneficiaries.