Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. She has recorded songs in over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages and foreign languages. She is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honours, notably, Padma Bhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna and Legion of Honour. She is currently based in Mumbai.

My father was an ardent follower of Swami Vivekananda. Even today there is a big portrait of Swami Ji in our Puja Room in my residence. The entire Mangeshkar family are devout followers of Swami Vivekananda.  

Narendra Bhai is also a devoted follower of Swami Vivekananda teachings. Hence this is the common link between our belief and the belief of Narendra Bhai Modi. Narendra Bhai is a very humble , well grounded and a simple man, which is evident from the fact that he calls himself “Pradhan Sevak“ and not “Pradhan Mantri“! His behaviour and attitude is more of one who loves his Country above self and not so much of that of a politician.  

Last year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan I sent him a Rakhee with this message “You are the true protector of all us Sisters.” Narendra Modi ji is One of the most loved and respected Prime Minister amongst the masses. He sent me his thanks on receiving the Rakhee and I keep receiving message from him on Twitter.  

Narendra Bhai is a great admirer of Veer Savarkar and there is a very special place for Veer Savarkar in our hearts and minds of everyone in the Mangeshkar family. I also respect Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji and I also believe that Narendra Bhai has also indoctrinated his thoughts in his own life.  

In a short time the progress made by our Nation is beyond our expectations. “He does what he says and he shows what he does.” This is the Narendra Bhai Modi whom I know!  

I met Narendra Bhai for the first time when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat many years ago. Our family had established a Hospital in Pune. We had requested Narendra Bhai for his presence to inaugurate the Hospital. It is his generosity that he accepted the invitation wholeheartedly and came to Pune to inaugurate our Hospital. From those very days there was a lot of discussions on the fact that Narendra Bhai should become the future Prime Minister of India. Our family was very busy with the inauguration of the hospital and we took a decision not to be influenced by any kind of political discussion so during the inauguration none of the family members did not cover any political references in our speeches. Then came my turn to speak and I broke my own resolve and announced that the next Prime Minister should be Shri Narendra Modi Ji! My entire family were astonished at me reference and that I had broken my own resolution but I was so emotionally overwhelmed at that moment that I said what I had to say!  

Today the respect and love that the whole world is showering on India is a reflection of the global reach and efforts that Narendra Bhai has made in taking the message of India to whole world. 

Today Narendra Bhai is going to be 70 years old but looking at him it surely does not look like it. He has miles to go and I pray to the Almighty to grant him a very long life and to give him the courage to succeed in all his aspirations for India.