PM calls up ex-MLA who donated savings to fight coronavirus
In his conversation that lasted for just over threeminutes, the PM recalled that he had once visited Thummar inBilkha town in Junagadh district in Gujarat.
"I have called you for that (donation). You are doinggood work at this age. Take care of your health," the PM toldThummar, as per a release issued by the state government.
Modi asked Thummar whether the latter remembers him,to which he replied in affirmative, it stated.
The prime minister enquired about health of Thummarwho cannot hear properly and was helped by a relative.
"Thummar advised Modi to fight the battle againstcoronavirus with all his might," the relative said.
The relative said that the nonagenarian had mentionedmany times that Modi had once met him at his residence inBilkha town along with former Gujarat CM Shankarsinh Vaghela.
The relative said that he told the PM that Thummar hadexpressed his desire to donate his savings at a time when thenation is fighting the battle against coronaviurs.
Subsequently, Thummar visited the office of Junagadhdistrict collector on April 17 and handed over a cheque of Rs51,000 to the state government.
"I decided to donate my savings to the government as Icannot do anything physically to help the nation due to myage," Thummar had told reporters.
He had served as the MLA of Mendarda-Maniyaconstituency in Junagadh constituency during 1975-1980.
He had reportedly not taken salary entitled to him asan MLA at that time. Thummar reportedly doesn't take thepension he is entitled to as a former legislator.
It is said that Thummar vowed not to eat food once onMondays on the appeal made by the then PM Lal Bahudar Shashtriin view of shoprtage of grains. It is said that Thummar stillfollows that routine. PDNSK NSK