Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 30 October wrote a personal condolence letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan following the passing of his mother, Kashi Bai (76), expressing that 'a mother's departure leaves an emptiness in the heart that no one can fill.' The letter came hours after Kashi Bai died during treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal.

What PM Modi Wrote

In his letter, Prime Minister Modi described a mother's affection as 'the greatest strength in life' and her blessings as 'the most precious inheritance.' He acknowledged Chouhan's long journey in public service, noting that family values and the guidance of elders had been central to shaping his character.

'Though his mother was no longer physically present, her memories and the values she had instilled would continue to guide him,' Modi wrote, according to reports. The Prime Minister also prayed for strength and courage for the bereaved family to bear the loss.

Last Rites and Tributes at Jait

Kashi Bai's mortal remains were first kept at Chouhan's residence in Saket Nagar, Bhopal, where a large number of people gathered to pay their last respects. Her body was subsequently taken to her native village Jait in Sehore district, where the last rites were performed on Friday evening in accordance with Vedic rituals.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Hemant Khandelwal attended the funeral and offered floral tributes. Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, state ministers, members of Parliament and the legislative assembly, senior administrative officials, party workers, and local residents were also present to offer condolences.

Chouhan Plants a Sapling in His Mother's Memory

In a deeply personal gesture after the cremation, Chouhan planted a sapling at Jait in memory of Kashi Bai. He expressed hope that the sapling would grow into a tree, providing shade and shelter to birds, insects, and other living creatures.

'Just as a mother's affection remains with us like a cool shade throughout life, I pray that her blessings continue to remain with us. Along with these trees, my mother's memories will also remain evergreen,' Chouhan said. Several Union ministers, chief ministers of other states, and political leaders across party lines also conveyed their grief over the demise.

About Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Shivraj Singh Chouhan is a senior BJP leader who served as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister for more than 17 years — one of the longest tenures in the state's history. He joined the Union Cabinet in 2024 as the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The cross-party outpouring at the funeral reflects the broad political stature he has built over decades of public life.