Celebrity artist Bijay Biswaal (52), who hogged the limelight, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his mention in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, a radio programme hosted by Modi himself, has called it a day from Indian Railways, to take art and painting to the grassroots.

The breathtaking art of Biswaal has touched many hearts including none other than Modi, who after falling in love with it, made Biswaal’s mention on July 26, 2015, in ‘Man Ki Baat’.

Biswaal opted for VRS on March 31 after serving railways for 26 years. “I was really finding it difficult to cope with pursuing my passion and field job as a chief ticket inspector (CTI). Getting unpredictable leaves for my engagements in and outside the country was an issue. Though I could have worked for a couple of years, I opted for VRS,” says Biswaal.

“Now the sky is the limit.

Maybe after 60 years when I would have retired, I may not have been able to concentrate what I have been doing now,” he adds.

The globally acclaimed artist says he was upbeat after getting blessings from none other than Modi whom he met at Railway Vikas Shibir in Surajkund near Delhi on November 20 last year. He had displayed his select paintings there and was directly invited by railway minister Suresh Prabhu.

“I did not wash my hands that day after the handshake with Modiji, who recalled making my mention in ‘Man Ki Baat’ and had remarked ‘aage badho’ (go ahead),” recalls Biswaal.

Like his ‘live’ painting of rain-soaked Korba railway station going viral over social media in 2015, his message about VRS, posted on March 28, too went the same way with his fans posting it further in various groups.