Page 83 - Gujar Mal Modi

CHAPTER

NINE THE LAST DAYS

After 1972 Mr. Modi became more and more interested in social Welfare activi-
ties and religious pursuits. He was a pious man who never touched alcohol nor

did he frequent clubs even during his trip abroad. A man of austere habits, he
also had a well-regulated daily routine. He regularly went to the Laxmi Narayan

temple at Modinagar in the morning and listened to religious discourses late in
the night. He kept fasts and havans were a routine activity in his house. Sadhus,

Saints, Mullahs and Church priests always surrounded him, for they found in him
a ready and willing helper or donor to their reli gious projects like renovation of

ruined temples, mosques, guru dwaras and churches, for he believed that all reli-
gions were essen tially one. As mentioned earlier, while in London, he celebrated

his birth day in a church in London and during his stay at Ajmer the next year
he had visited the famous Dargah to pray on his birthday. In fact, he believed in

the synthesis of all religions. His visits to Haridwar and the ashramas of the well-
known Sadhus in the Himalayas became more frequent.

The source of his strength and inspiration was his wife, Daya wati. Gentle and
compassionate, she was devoted to her husband and he on his part was her life.

In his absence she did not get a moment’s ease. She regarded him as the bestow-
er of bliss and one who dispelled her distress and sorrows. She spent most of her

time looking after him and the family, and after his death she became absorbed
in social welfare activities or sat.sang, Humble and affectionate, Dayawati Modi

literally worshipped and adored her husband. They both seemed to understand
each other perfectly and Mr. Modi’s devotion to her was also complete. He re-

garded her as Laxmi, for since she had come to his family, business had pros-
pered. He was a doting husband and was most conscious of his duty to her. He

was always seen with her not only in his evening walks at Krishna Ashram, but
also at every social function at Modinagar and elsewhere. If, he could not attend

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