A mutual charm offensive was on display between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and World Health Organization chief Tedros Ghebreyesus at an international event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat state.
It all began when Ghebreyesus spoke a few words in Gujarati language while starting his speech that pleased Modi at the launch of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat on Tuesday (April 19, 2022). Modi had also said that the WHO DG told him that he “felt like a Gujarati”.
Today, at the inauguration of the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit, it was Modi’s turn to reciprocate when he recalled Ghebreyesus’ love for India, regard for his Indian teachers and affection for Gujarat, and gave him a Gujarati Name “Tulsi Bhai”.
Modi explained to the audience the “auspicious and exalted” status of Tulsi leaf in Indian tradition.
Ghebreyesus lauded the Indian PM for his support to the launch of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar and said the centre is designed to be an engine of innovation to drive the agenda of evidence, data and sustainability and optimization of use of traditional medicine.
