Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India’s war against coronavirus was people-driven and urged the country not to lower its guard against the deadly pandemic.
Addressing the country through his monthly radio talk — Mann Ki Baat — Modi said Covid-19 crisis has changed how things are viewed and wished that pandemic crisis would end by Eid festival.
The PM also appreciated the health, sanitation workers and police personnel for their dedicated service. “Covid-19 has changed how we view things. I am so happy to see the immense appreciation for the working of sanitation workers, our police forces. The appreciation for doctors, nurses, healthcare workers is exceptional,” said Modi.
Pointing out that India’s war against coronavirus was people-driven, the PM said today’s Mann Ki Baat took place when the country was in the midst of a ‘Yuddh.’
Every Indian is a soldier in this fight. Our hardworking farmers ensure no one is hungry. People are rising to the occasion to help each other. People are contributing to PM-CARES, he said.
“When people will talk about this period, they will talk about our people-driven initiatives. Our ‘tali, thaali and diya’ initiatives have kept spirits high. Be it our businesses, office culture, education, medical sector. Everyone is adapting to new changes in a post-coronavirus world. There is a strong desire to innovate in various areas,” he said.
The PM said the top most priority of the Government was to help the poor and vulnerable people like migrant labours. Praising the work of health and sanitation workers, Modi said all should keep basic hygiene norms and should not spit in public places.
He also asked the people not to be complacent in dealing with the situation and always maintain the social distance norms and wearing of masks when going out in public.
“Among the welcome changes in the post-coronavirus era is the awareness on the need to wear masks. A mask is something we will have to keep wearing in the times to come. It does not mean the person wearing a mask is unwell, it is just a wise precaution. Do what you can to improve immunity. Keep in mind that our traditional systems offer great methods to do so. Let us make these systems popular and share them in a language in which the world understands, he said.
“Among the welcome changes in the post-coronavirus era is the awareness on the need to wear masks. A mask is something we will have to keep wearing in the times to come. It does not mean the person wearing a mask is unwell, it is just a wise precaution,” said Modi.
He appreciated people adhering to lockdown norms during Ramzan and hoped that crisis would be over by Eid festival. “While celebrating Ramzan last year, no one would have thought that there would be so many difficulties during Ramzan this time. Let us pray that the world may be freed from the coronavirus by the time of Eid,” said Modi.