[Watch] WHO Head Tedros Gets A New Name Given By PM Modi

Gandhinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given visiting World Health Organization (WHO) director-general and his ‘good friend’ Tedros Ghebreyesus a ‘Gujarati’ name – ‘Tulsi bhai’.

Speaking after inaugurating the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit at Gandhinagar in the presence of Tedros, the Indian PM said: “Tedros is a good friend of mine. He always told me Indian teachers taught me and I am here because of them. Today he told me – ‘I have become a pucca Gujarati. Have you decided a name for me?’ So I will call him Tulsi bhai as a Gujarati.”

Modi went on to explain the significance of the name.

“Tulsi is a plant that modern generations are forgetting. Generations have worshipped Tulsi. You can also use the Tulsi plant in marriage. So now you are with us,” Modi said, much to Tedros’ amusement.

Watch the video shared by BJP’s Sunil Deodhar in Twitter:

Besides Tedros, Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Union ministers Mansukh Mandavia, AYUSH minister Sarbananda Sonowal, minister of state for woman and child development Munjapara Mahendrabhai and chief minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel were present on the occasion.

The three-day summit will feature plenary sessions, roundtables, workshops and symposiums. About 90 eminent speakers and 100 exhibitors will be part of the summit.