New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today welcomed his good friend Tulsibhai, aka Dr. Tedros, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to India and admired Dr. Tedros preparing for the upcoming Navratri festival of Gujarat, the largest dance festival of the world.

Sharing a video clip from the Ministry of Ayush, Prime Minister Modi wrote, ‘My good friend Tulsi Bhai is clearly well prepared for Navratri! Welcome to India, Dr. Tedros!’ In the video, the WHO Director-General can be seen dancing with Dandiya as he arrives in Gujarat. Tedros is here to participate in the first global summit on Traditional Medicine, scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar on August 17th and 18th.

My good friend Tulsi Bhai is clearly well prepared for Navratri! Welcome to India, @DrTedros! https://t.co/NSOSe32ElW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 16, 2023

WHO DG Dr. Tedros in Gujarat on PM Modi fondly calling him Tulsibhai

Tulsibhai, I like the name because it’s a medicinal plant. By the way, I just planted Tulsibhai here in the wellness center….. So, I’m happy to be called Tulsibhai, given the prominence of the plant: WHO DG Dr. Tedros in Gujarat on PM Modi fondly calling him Tulsibhai pic.twitter.com/GPPLfgJWTR

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) August 16, 2023

During last year’s Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit 2022 in Gandhinagar, the Prime Minister affectionately bestowed the title “Tulsi Bhai” upon Director-General Tedros. This symbolic gesture acknowledged Tedros’ pivotal role in bringing the WHO’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicines (GCTM) to Gujarat.

A warm welcome to the WHO Director-General, @DrTedros, also known as Tulsi Bhai, the endearing name conferred upon him by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi.
And swagatam, esteemed delegates to the historic #WHOGlobalSummitOnTM#TM4GlobalHealth #WHOGCTM

(1/2) pic.twitter.com/twIjKE9Tnn

— Ministry of Ayush (@moayush) August 16, 2023

Watch | World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits Health & Wellness Centre (Primary Health Centre) at Moti Adraj village in Gandhinagar district of Gujarat. As PM Modi fondly calls him Tulsibhai, Dr. Tedros planted a Tulsi plant here. pic.twitter.com/tshAsu6hiW

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) August 16, 2023

During the event last year at Mahatma Mandir, PM Modi while talking about the WHO chief said, ‘On this holy land of Mahatma Gandhi, I name my best friend ‘Tulsibhai’ in Gujarati. Tulsi, a plant that the present generation might be forgetting, has been traditionally worshipped for generations. It is placed in front of every house in India. Tulsi is an essential part of India’s spiritual heritage. This Tulsi is related to Ayurveda, and since it is a Gujarati name, adding ‘bhai’ becomes indispensable. Your attachment to Gujarat is very deep, and you have consistently attempted to use Gujarati words. You have expressed your reverence towards the gurus who have taught you. It is indeed a great pleasure for me to call you ‘Tulsibhai’ from the holy land of this Mahatma Mandir.’

Delighted to be in #India for the @WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit, the Ministerial Meeting on Ending TB in @WHOSEARO and the G20 Health Ministers Meeting. Namaste India! pic.twitter.com/908fzLAGjR

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 16, 2023

Director-General Tedros also shared a video clip of himself dancing with Dandiya and wrote, ‘I am delighted to be in India for the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit, the Ministerial Meeting on Ending TB in WHO South East Asia, and the G20 Health Ministers Meeting. Namaste India!'” DeshGujarat