biography

" My husband welcomed me as a Lakshmi and understood my plight. He told me, you are not only my wife but also my inspiration."

Dayawati Modi was born in Kasganj — a small village in Uttar Pradesh. Daughter of Chheda Lal, Dayawati lost her mother at the age of three. She self educated herself, acquiring knowledge of the Vedas, and the Gita was the book to which she looked for guidance.

Smt. Dayawati Modi, wife of Late Rai Bahadur Gujarmal Modi (Padma Bhushan), who was a leading industrialist of the country and founder of Modi Group of Industries, Modi Nagar, Modipuram and Modipur in the State of Uttar Pradesh.


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Commerative Awards

Dayawati Modi Stree Shakti Samman is an award in the memory of an extraordinary woman. The award is established by women, for women and is about women. The award is presented annually to a woman who has dared to dream and has the capability to translate that dream into reality. Smt. Dayawati Modi was a champion of women’s causes and was driven by the motto "work is worship".
Late Smt. Modi is a legend today.

Stree Shakti Science Samman for the Women Scientist of the Year. The objective of the award is to honour a woman scientist who has provided an original contribution to Science in India, with research of high quality which is relevant and beneficial to society.

Dayawati Modi Award for Art, Culture & Education is given every year for outstanding contribution in these fields.

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awards & recognitions

She received many awards and felicitations such as: 'SHIROMANI AWARD' from the then President of India, Giani Zail Singh, 'KALA SANGAM AWARD' from Shri Vasant Sathe, 'BHARAT SEVA RATNA' by World Religious Parliament in November 1986, 'MERITORIOUS SERVICES AWARD' by the Institute of Economics Studies, New Delhi from Ajit Panja, Minister of Information & Broadcasting in 1987 and the 'MATRASHREE AWARD' by All U.P. Press Reporter Association in 1988.

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spiritual journey

She was influenced by Anandmayi Maa the lady saint from Bengal.

Anandmayi Maa inspired her to built a temple in Modi Nagar.



Understanding the need for constructive counselling, she would meet the women of Modinagar every Monday at the Lakshminarayan temple, which the family had built in the year 1963.


Maaji served renowned saints with unflinching dedication: Shri Mahesh Yogi, Maharaj Krishna Ashram Ji, Swami Vihshnu Ashram Ji, Jagad Guru Divya Nand ji.

She often visited religious places.



loving mother

"Our mother, our Guru who left behind values that will last for lifetimes."

The couple had eleven children:

  • Raj Kumari Agarwal
  • Late Bimala Bajoria
  • Rajesh Gupta
  • Late Krishan Kumar Modi
  • Urmila Kanoria
  • Vinay Kumar Modi
  • Pramila Saraf
  • Satish Kumar Modi
  • Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Modi
  • Umesh Kumar Modi
  • Rekha Mody

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