Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi on a lighter note, gave a new Gujarati name to World Health Organization (WHO)’s Director General in his presence during the speech at Mahatma Mandir today.

The Prime Minister was addressing the Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit here. He gave ‘Tulsibhai’ name to WHO DG Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.

The PM in his Hindi speech said:

‘WHO Director General has been very good friend of mine. Whenever he would meet me, he would tell me that whatever he is, he was taught by Indian teachers. Indian teachers had major role in educating him and he is proud to connect to India.’

‘Today morning when he met me, he said ‘I have become pakka Gujarati now and give me a Gujarati name.’

‘He also reminded me on the stage just now that whether I have decided his name or not.’

‘So I, today on Mahatma Gandhi’s pavitra bhoomi, naming my this param friend as Tulsibhai.’

‘Tulsi is a plant which is forgotten by curent generation, but for many generations, there was a tradition to plant it at home and perform its puja. Tulsi is important part of India’s spiritual traditions.

‘In fact we hold Tulsi Vivah after Diwali. So this Tulsi is connected with Ayurved. And when it’s Gujarati, then Bhai suffix has to be there.’

‘Your affection to Gujarat…. you try to speak Gujarati… so on this auspicious land of Mahatma Mandir I have extra pleasure to call you Tulsibhai.’

WHO DG Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus who had also tried to speak Gujarati during his address yesterday in Jamnagar function seemed happy with his new name with smile on his face. DeshGujarat

From the land of Mahatma Gandhi, a Gujarati name has been given to my friend, @DrTedros. pic.twitter.com/jxWqZ9Ng6O

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 20, 2022