Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 14th edition of his monthly radio programme Mann ki Baat on Sunday praised an ASHA worker from Baleswar district for her fight against malaria in her locality.

“We have a network of ASHA workers in our country. Neither I nor you would have hardly heard or talked about ASHA workers. We had conferred Padma Bhushan to Bill and Melinda Gates last year for their contribution to social work through their foundation. The duo heaps praise on the ASHA workers for their hard work and dedication towards their work. One such ASHA worker serves in a small Odisha village called Tendagaon, a malaria-infested region. Jamuna Mani Singh has resolved not to allow a single malaria-related death in the village. I honour all Asha workers through Jamuna Mani,” said Modi.

“Jamuna Mani Singh with her full dedication and extraordinary efforts prepared the people in her village to fight malaria. She spread awareness about precautions and helped the entire village during tough times,” the PM said.

Recently, the Odisha Government had felicitated Jamuna at a special function, Modi recalled.

Jamuna Mani was selected as an ASHA worker in 2008 and got posted in 2010. She has married Debendra Singh of the same village and they have a seven-year-old son.

“My father is my ideal, and I followed his advice to keep the hope and trust of people as an ASHA worker intact. Although this area is a tribal one and people believe in witchcraft, black magic, etc., I convince them to take Government-supplied medicine. They have faith on me,” said Jamuna.