Phulbani: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highly praised two common old women of Odisha and took their blessings during his visit to Phulbani. He also became emotional after meeting them.
The two women are 73-year-old Tula Behera and Padma Shri awardee tribal poet Purnamasi Jani. Modi met the two gentle women at the stage where he addressed an election rally.
Seeking Tula’s blessings, PM touched her feet and depicted Tula’s story of how she has donated Rs 1 lakh which she earned through begging throughout her entire life, for the renovation of the old Jagannath temple in Phulbani in Kandhamal district.
‘A mother came and greeted me. When I found out about her, she was begging Mata Tula Behera. She has donated Rs 1 lakh, which she earned through begging, to Jagannath temple. I am very happy to meet Tula Behera today,” the Prime Minister said.
Interestingly, when PM Modi asked about anything she needed, Tula said in her reply: “I don’t need anything. All I need is Lord Jagannath’s blessing.” This statement has won the heart of Modi and he became emotional.
It is pertinent to mention that Tula has been begging near Jagannath temple in Phulbani town for the past 40 years. The day Tula realised that her savings had reached Rs 1.20 lakh, she decided to donate Rs 1 lakh to the Jagannath temple for its renovation.
Hailing from Chauliaganj in Cuttack, Tula used to work as a daily wager at Chauliaganj. She had married the love of her life Prafulla, also a labourer. The couple moved to Phulbani where Prafulla developed some health issues. After Prafulla’s death, Tula adopted a destitute as her daughter and both continued to beg near the temples. Through the years, they managed to save money from their income in a bank.
The Prime Minister also Padmashree Purnamasi Jani, commonly known as Tadisorubai aged about 85 years (a tribal lady saint) hails from Charipada village in Kandhamal district.
Though she is completely illiterate, Jani has composed hundreds of divine poems so far and is being delivered ‘Prabachan’ uninterruptedly and flawlessly for hours together, aiming to promote and foster “Sanatan culture”, in the region.
Shri Modi bowed down his head before the pious lady. He felicitated both the ladies terming them as ‘Aap Mahan Ho’ and requested them to bless him for his future mission.