On the morning of April 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and declared the restriction currently in place has been extended till May 3 as a measure to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
PM Modi in his speech on April 14, 2020
Modi began his speech by appreciating the efforts of the countrymen who resembled “disciplined soldiers” and for adhering to the lockdown rules strictly.
“I know the kinds of difficulties the people of India have been tolerating for days to protect the country. You have faced difficulties with food, work, but you are still resolved to fight,” expressed the Prime Minister.
He further dedicated the lockdown and the goal to fight against the pandemic to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary.
The Prime Minister brought up how India acted very early to contain the virus in the country and did not wait for the problems to get uncontrollable.
“Screenings started even before India reported any COVID-19 cases.”
Further, India has acted promptly by taking preventions and the decision of early lockdown.
“…with fast action and early lockdown, India has done much better than the bigger nations. The figures from these developed nations show that we are doing much better.”
“…about 1-1.5 months ago, some other countries were at the same level as us. But today, they have 25-30% more cases than us. Thousands are dying there. If a holistic, integrated approach had not been taken here and acted speedily, I don’t even want to imagine where India would have been.”
However, even with such efforts, the increase in the number of positive cases has alarmed health experts and governments. And after multiple discussions, the lockdown is being extended nationwide further.
Despite the lockdown extensions and more strict implementations henceforth, relaxations will be given to daily wagers who have suffered severe repercussions due to COVID-19’s lockdown in the country.
“…keeping in mind the livelihoods of our poor brothers and sisters, provisions of limited relaxations in identified places from April 20 has been made. Daily wagers and those who depend on daily earning are my family.”
Modi further proclaimed that till April 20, all districts, localities and states would be closely monitored as to how strictly they are implementing the rules.
“… in case of any positive development in any particular area or district, we can give a conditional concession from April 20. In case of any violation, development of any new hotspots, those concessions will be rolled back in those areas.”
A new detailed guideline will be issued tomorrow, i.e. on April 15.
PM further reassured that the country has enough stock of medicines and ration to sustain. Any hurdles in the supply chain are continually being addressed.
“… we’re also rapidly moving forward in the field of health infrastructure.”
Steps recommended by Modi to fight coronavirus
While conducting his speech, PM Narendra Modi gave Indians seven recommendations to fight COVID-19 which are as follows:
- Take care of the safety of elderly people
- Follow social distancing and lockdown intently
- Use homemade masks and work on immunity
- Follow guidelines issued by the AYUSH ministry like drinking hot water
- Download the Aarogya Setu mobile app
- Help low-income families as per your best capabilities
- Have compassion towards the workers in the organisation; do not fire anyone and respect the Coronavirus “warriors” such as doctors and police personnel.
The Prime Minister also encouraged budding scientists to come forward and help in the discovery of Coronavirus vaccine.
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