Prime Minister Modi dials 99-year old Ratnabapa in Junagadh, Gujarat

Junagadh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi even in his busy schedule doesn’t miss an opportunity to appreciate the people whose work may inspire others. PM Modi today phone called Junagadh based former Gujarat MLA Ratnabhai Manjibhai Thumar who contributed Rs. 51,000 to State’s fund for fight against Coronavirus.

It’s worth to mention here that when Ratnabhai entered the district collector office of Junagadh to offer his contribution, a peon offered him sanitizer at the entrance and asked ‘what is your age dada ji?’ Ratnabhai in his reply said, ’99 running.’ When peon further asked Ratnabhai whether he had come to collector office to seek any help from the administration, Ratnabhai proudly replied that he had not come here to take help, but offer help by giving his life long saving of Rs. 51,000 to State relief fund.

‘Do you remember me?’ PM Modi asked.

Ratnabhai replied, ‘Yes I remember you, but we are not able to do anything, you do good of nation. Entire world should be united and attack on this problem.’

PM said, ‘We remember you a lot’.

PM asked Ratnabhai, ‘Do you remember old days, when I used to come to your place?’

Ratnabhai’s aide also spoke to PM Modi on Ratnabhai’s behalf, as Ratnabhai has hearing trouble.

PM said he saw Ratnabapa contributed fund and decided to speak to him. PM also inquired about well bring of family members of Ratnabhai.

Ratnabhai was MLA of Gujarat Assembly during 1975 to 1980. He lives a simple life. He had not taken salary when he was MLA. He has not taken pension too from the State. He would travel in government bus as an ordinary passenger when he was MLA. When there was a nationwide shortage of food in India and then Prime Minister late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri gave a call to leave daily one-time meal, Ratnabapa stopped having daily one-time meal and even today at 99 he follows same practice.

India is fortunate to have sons like Ratnabapa, and also fortunate to have Prime Minister who doesn’t miss an opportunity to appreciate and connect to those who inspire others by their action.

DeshGujarat