Need to be more vigilant as economy opens up: PM Modi in 'Mann ki Baat'

As Indian economy opens up under a phased exit from over a two-month lockdown from Monday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to be even more careful about Covid-19 and advised them to continue adopting safety practices like wearing masks, social distancing and regular washing of hands in the days to come.

In the 65th edition of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi highlighted that a major chunk of economy is active now and there should be no laxity in maintaining six feet distance (Do Gaj Doori), wearing masks and staying indoors as much as possible. 

“We need to be more vigilant now. The road to victory over Covid-19 is long. The world has not experienced anything like this ever before”, he said. 

The latest edition of Mann ki Baat came a day after the Modi 2.0 Government completed its first year in office and the Union Home Ministry announcing ‘Unlock 1.0 guidelines’ that will be followed for the next month (June) as economic activities look set to resume in a phased manner.

Poor most affected

Modi highlighted that Covid-19 didn’t spread so rapidly in India as in other countries and the fatality rate has been notably low. He pointed out that India’s achievement in containing the spread of Covid-19 was quite commendable when compared with other countries, especially when India’s  population is much larger than other countries.

“There is no section in our country that is unaffected by the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the worst affected are the poor and the labourers. Their pain, their agony and their ordeal can’t be expressed in words”, Modi noted.

Modi highlighted that India’s fight against Covid-19 has been people driven and the country’s ‘Seva Shakti’ is visible in this battle.

Railways personnel

Stating that Indians collective fight curtailed Covid-19 spread, Modi had special praises for the Railway employees, describing them as Corona warriors for their tireless efforts. He also lauded the innovation efforts — from rural India to the urban centres— during the current troubled times and highlighted that progress depends on innovation.

Modi also stressed the need to develop East India, stating that this was critical to India’s growth. He highlighted that East India had to recently face Amphan super cyclone and, people of West Bengal and Odisha had to deal with this situation.

“Only by developing Eastern India, balanced economic development of the country can be possible. Ever since the country offered me the opportunity to serve, we have accorded priority to the development of the region”, Modi said.

Modi also urged Indians to plant more trees with the World Environment day coming up on June 5. 

Rain water

He underscored the need for Indians to conserve rain water.  

The Prime Minister also touched upon the success and utility of Ayushmann Bharat Yojana, noting that over a crore people are now beneficiaries of the scheme. He mentioned the importance of Yoga and noted that ‘from Hollywood to Haridwar’, people are focusing more on yoga in these times of Coronavirus.

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