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What PM Modi had to say about the lockdown? Highlights of Modi's address to the nation!

By alagu, 20 April, 2021
Narendra Modi, COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, Coronavirus

As India combats the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has culminated to be severe than the preceding one, the country prepares to brace up yet another ordeal in addressing a fresh crisis across all the corridors from peaking cases, dearth of medical infrastructure, lockdowns and curfews, and the plight of vulnerable people. India has been reporting an unprecedented rise in the number of infections, warranting the government to strengthen the containment policies. 

With embracing the disturbing fact that India is the second worst-affected country in the world by the pandemic, the country is facing a distressing time, and amid such development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday, which has become his first public address since the emergence of the second wave. His address has come after the episodes of talks and discussions with the Chief Ministers of the states, health officials, experts, and vaccine manufacturers over the COVID-19 situation and the preparedness on tackling the spread and its severity. 

The announcement about the Prime Minister's address was suddenly made which stirred the speculations on whether he is going to impose the nationwide lockdown like last year to curb the spread. His address has become the talk of the town and it was announced that he will be addressing the nation at 8.45 pm and with larger expectations, the people prepared to listen to his speech on what he has got to say. He began his speech at the scheduled time and touched upon the vaccination, migrant workers, frontline workers, and lockdown. 

He said that the country should work towards avoiding a lockdown. In a twenty-minute long speech, the Prime Minister said, "India is again fighting a big battle against COVID-19. The situation was in control a few weeks ago and a new wave has come upon us like a storm. I understand the pain that we are facing. I want to express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. As a member of a family, I want to thank doctors, medical staff, paramedical staff, sanitary workers, ambulance drivers, security personnel. You have risked your lives in this fight."

The Prime Minister had admitted that there is a demand for oxygen. He said, "Center, states, private sectors are all trying to make sure that the needy get oxygen. Many steps are being taken to ramp up oxygen supply - supplying one lakh new cylinders and oxygen express." Being reminiscent of the unprecedented migrant crisis last year, the Prime Minister appealed to the migrant workers not to leave their current place and urged the state governments to ensure that the migrant workers living in their respective territories have adequate arrangements. 

Narendra Modi said to the countrymen to keep the lockdown as the last weapon to fight the pandemic. He said, "Friends, in today's situation, we have to save India from a lockdown. Lockdown should be the last measure and we have to prevent lockdowns. Micro containment zones should be focused on." He lauded the efforts taken by India till now in containing the pandemic. 

He stated, "The pharma sector has ramped up medical production. There is much more production of medicines and this too is being increased. The situation that was there last year is different. At that time, we did not have COVID-19 specific medical infrastructure. We did not have enough labs, no PPE production, we did not have information on curing the disease, but we have improved on this and today our doctors have gained expertise and are saving a maximum number of lives, we now have PPE kits, labs, and are increasing testing capacity."

He further said, "India has till now fought COVID-19 with patience and courage. This credit is to you citizens". The Prime Minister added that the virus can be contained if people are determined to contain and he has asked everyone to avoid going out unnecessarily. He also called everyone to stand with the frontline workers and touched upon the vaccination drive. He highlighted, "India with two 'made in India' vaccines started the world's largest vaccination program. Till now, more than 12 crore vaccine doses have been administered. From 1st May, those above the age of 18 years can be vaccinated"

 

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