She teaches at a primary school in rural Gujarat and lives in a quarter bereft of a running water supply. Judging by her appearance, simple clothes and a face reflecting years of struggle, she does not fit the bill of being Gujarat strongman Narendar Modi’s wife. She talks about her life and work but bring up the topic of her husband and she goes mum, breaking her silence only to say that she can not say anything about him and fears the consequences of discussing him, before asking to be to be left alone.
While Jashoda Ben Modi’s neighbours in Rajosana address her as ‘Narender Modi’s wife’ she’s left all hopes of living the dream.