Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday, urging citizens to continue with precautionary measures for Covid-19 in the upcoming festive season. “In the past few days, we have seen photos and videos of people not wearing masks. Some people have clearly stopped taking precautions. This is not good for the country’s fight against coronavirus,” he said.
Do not be callous and do not assume that the coronavirus is gone, the Prime Minister reminded. To convey his message, PM Modi also quoted verses by Kabirdas, “Pakki kheti dekh ke, gareeb kiya kisaan, ajahun jhola bohot hai, ghar aave tab jaan.” He also quoted from the Ramcharitmanas: “Ripur ruj paavak paap prabhu ahi gani na choti kari.” PM Modi also reiterated that not wearing masks or maintaining social distancing will only put the lives of everyone, including children and the elderly, in immense danger.
With bazaars across the country bustling with the advent of the festivities, the risk of people lowering their guard is high. However, PM Modi reminded, “With the effort of all Indians, the situation has improved and India is in a stable position right now. We don›t have to let it deteriorate.”
The Prime Minister noted that the recovery rate in the country has improved and the fatality rate is low. “For every 10 lakh citizens, about 5500 were infected with the coronavirus (and) the death rate in India is 83 for every 10 lakh citizens,” he said. He added that India has “covered a long distance” in its fight against the pandemic, rising from a situation where it had limited resources to fight Covid-19 to the current circumstances where it has created ‘‘90 lakh beds for patients, over 12,000 testing centres and more than 2,000 labs”, the cumulative testing from which is about to cross the 10 crore-mark. Modi also cited examples of countries like the United States and the UK, that were better equipped to fight the virus but saw worse fatality rates and recovery rates, as compared to India.
PM Modi assured citizens that the government is working around the clock to ensure that the vaccine, which several countries including India are developing on a war footing, reaches everybody. “Our scientists are working to develop the vaccine, and the government is working with great effort to ensure that the vaccine, when developed, reaches every Indian,” he said. He also appreciated the efforts of the doctors, nurses and health workers who are selflessly serving the nation, following the mantra of ‘Seva Parmo Dharma’.
Lastly, he urged citizens to maintain the suggested 6 feet distance (or “do gaj ki doori”), wash their hands with soap periodically and wear face masks, and to not become complacent until the vaccine is done.