NEW DELHI — A video of an Indian minister mopping the floors of a hospital wherein he is undergoing treatment with his wife and son has gone viral.

The power and electricity department minister of India’s northeastern state of Mizoram, R. Lalzirliana, said his action was not to embarrass medical staff or authorities but to set an example for others.

Lalzirliana, who is 71 and heads a regional ruling party in the state, said sweeping and mopping the floors are not new to him as he used to do such chores at his homes and other places.

“Sweeping, mopping the floors or performing household chores are not new for me,” he told a news agency on Saturday. “I do it at home and other places when it is required.” Just being a minister did not mean he could not do just work.

When the minister was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, he found the ward “messy.” He called for a person to sweep it clean, but since there was no hospital employee available, he took a broom and swept it.

And in the hospital, he refused VIP treatment and preferred the general ward. “We are fine here,” he said. “The medical staff and nurses are taking good care of us.” The minister also urged the nurses and the medical staff to be polite with the patients and to take good care of them. — Agencies