Photograph of Modi bowing down to ASHA worker goes viral on social media

BHUBANESWAR: The photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowing down to ASHA worker Jamunamani Singh, who hogged limelight following Modi’s ‘Maan Ki Baat’, has gone viral on social media.
Thousands of social media users have shared the photo on Facebook praising the noble gesture of the Prime Minister.

Jamunamani, the ASHA worker Sialghati village in Nilagiri of Balasore district, had gone to attend the inauguration of the new campus of National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) at Jatni on Sunday where she was felicitated for her social work.

But she was taken for a surprise when Modi bowed down to her as she tried to seek his blessings. Governor SC Jamir, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were also present. This gesture of Modi drew him applause and much appreciation from the crowd.

Jamunamani has been fighting against malaria and water-borne diseases like diarrhoea by spreading awareness for the last five years in the villages of Tenda and Sialghati, her native. Her resolve not to allow a single malaria-related death found an echo in Modi’s words on the radio.

“I have no words to express my happiness. Despite being the Prime Minister, Modi told me ‘aap desh mein mujhse zyada popular hai’ (you are more popular than me in the country), she told reporters.
Praising Modi for his few kind words, Jamunamani said receiving honour from such a great statesman is like getting a new birth.
“It may not happen for all, but I feel privileged for being felicitated by PM Modi. He has made me famous and inspired to continue my social service,” she said.

Besides this gesture, Modi also tried to talk to her in Odia. “He asked me ‘kemiti achha’ (how are you), ‘sabu bhala ta’ (is everything alright)?,” she said.

On November 29, Modi had praised Jamunamani for her untiring fight against fatal malaria in her locality in the monthly radio programme – Maan Ki Baat. “Jamunamani has resolved not to allow single malaria-related death in the village. I honour all Asha workers through Jamuna Mani,” he had said.