Surat, March 9 – During his visit to Surat on March 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a grand public event at Neelgiri Circle in Limbayat. Amidst the gathering, a remarkable painting by differently-abled artist Manoj Bhingare caught the Prime Minister’s attention. The painting, which depicted PM Modi alongside the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya, was uniquely created using only his feet, as Bhingare has no arms.
As per reports, while Modi was proceeding towards the event stage in an open jeep after completing a roadshow, many attendees attempted to present him with gifts. Among them, Bhingare showcased his stunning artwork, which instantly captured Modi’s interest. Upon noticing the painting, the Prime Minister halted his convoy, took a closer look, and signed the artwork. Upon learning that the artist had crafted the painting solely with his feet, Modi was deeply moved and personally met Bhingare, commending his exceptional talent.
The painting soon became the center of attention, with many praising Bhingare’s extraordinary skill and determination. Following the Prime Minister’s appreciation, the Surat BJP office honored the artist, awarding him a ₹1 lakh grant. The financial assistance is intended to support Bhingare in purchasing advanced art equipment and improving his craft, thereby enabling him to continue his artistic journey.
Expressing his gratitude, Bhingare stated that he felt fortunate to have received personal recognition from Prime Minister Modi. He added that the BJP office had invited him for a felicitation ceremony, where he was presented with a ₹1 lakh cheque. He plans to use the funds to acquire new tools for painting and further refine his skills. Looking ahead, Bhingare also shared his aspiration to establish a global "Foot and Mouth Painting Association" to support and uplift artists like himself.
