Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said about 60% of the youth in the age group of 15 to 18 years got vaccinated against COVID-19 within three to four weeks which would help them continue with their studies, and that within 20 days "one crore people have taken the precaution dose as well."
Till now, close to 4.50 crore children had been inoculated, Modi said.
The first edition of Modi's radio talk of the year was deferred for 30 minutes and commenced at 11.30 am as Modi paid obeisance to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary (Martyrs’ Day).
"Now the cases of Corona infection have also started decreasing, this is a very positive sign. People should be safe, the pace of economic activities of the country should be maintained,” said Modi.
Modi said in the ' Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the country is re-establishing its national symbols through new efforts.
"We saw that the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ near India Gate and the Jyoti lit at the ‘National War Memorial’ in the vicinity, were merged. There were tears in the eyes of many countrymen and martyr families on this emotional occasion he said.
"At the ‘National War Memorial’, the names of all the bravehearts of the country who have been martyred since Independence have been inscribed. Some former soldiers of the army have written to me saying that – “The ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ lit at the memorial is a symbol of the immortality of the martyrs”, he said.
The Prime Minister asked people to "certainly visit" the ‘National War Memorial and take their family and children too. "Here you will feel a different energy and inspiration", he said. He said in the midst of these events of Amrit Mahotsav, many important national awards were also given away in the country. One of them is the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Baal Puraskaar.
"We all must highlight about these children in our homes. Our children will also get inspiration from this and the enthusiasm to bring glory to the country will be awakened in them", he said.
The Prime Minister said recent Padma awards have also just been announced include many, thus far, unknown faces.
"These are the unsung heroes of our country, who have done extraordinary deeds in ordinary circumstances. For example, Basanti Devi of Uttarakhand, who has been honored with Padma Shri, lived her whole life in the midst of struggles", said Modi.
The PM said staying in a Ashram there, Basanti Devi "fought to save the river and made an extraordinary contribution to the environment. She has also done a lot of work for the empowerment of women.
Similarly, 77-year-old Lorembam Beino Devi of Manipur has been conserving the Liba textile art of Manipur for decades.
Arjun Singh of Madhya Pradesh has received Padma award for imparting recognition to the art of Baiga tribal dance.
Paying tributes to Indians' "love for nature and compassion for every living being" which Modi said "is our culture as well as innate nature."
"A glimpse of these Sanskaras of ours was seen recently when a tigress left the world in Pench Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh. People used to call this tigress collared tigress. The Forest Department named it T-15. The death of this tigress made people so emotional as if someone of their own had left the world. People performed her last rites, bid her farewell with full respect and affection", he said.
He also appreciated the "resolve of the people of Assam to save the rhinoceros."
Talking about the diverse shades of Indian culture, Modi told listeners about the Indian culture "making its mark in Argentina."
"In 2018, during my visit to Argentina, I participated in a yoga program — ‘Yoga for Peace’. There is an organization in Argentina – Hastinapur Foundation. You will be surprised to hear… whither Argentina… and Hastinapur Foundation there too! This foundation is involved in the propagation of Indian Vedic traditions in Argentina", said Prime Minister.
Saying Hastinapur Foundation was founded 40 years ago by a lady, Professor Aida Albrecht, now 90 was since age of 18 introduced to "the power of Indian culture" and studied Bhagwat Gita and Indian and Indian religion.
