Independence Day: PM Modi Lauds People For Coming Together To Fight COVID-19

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (August 15) lauded citizens for coming together in the fight against COVID-19, and said India has administered a record 200 crore vaccine doses in a time-bound manner, a feat that would not have been possible for another nation. During his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort, PM Modi said there was an increase in common consciousness of love for the nation of late.

COVID-19 has been an example of this common consciousness where citizens came together. From supporting doctors to propelling research to taking vaccines to the remotest parts, we stood together. The country’s citizens stood shoulder to shoulder with ‘corona warriors’ with gestures such as clanging thalis, clapping and lighting diyas, PM Modi said in his speech.

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He asserted that people from every nook and corner of the country also participated in the ‘Janta Curfew’ and this was indicative of a feeling of consciousness.

Lauding citizens for leading the way in taking vaccines, he added,

During the Covid period, when there was confusion prevailing in the world on whether to take vaccines or not or whether the vaccines were useful or not, even the poor people of my country’s villages surprised the world with the administration of 200 crore vaccine doses. This is consciousness, this is potential, which has given new strength to the country today.

The prime minister stressed that when the world was in a dilemma, India crossed the target of 200 crore vaccinations in a time-bound manner and broke all previous records.

We broke all previous records by administering 200 crore vaccine doses in a time-bound manner. Can any other nation do this, he asked.

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The prime minister’s speech also highlighted India’s legacy of holistic healthcare and yoga that is proving to be beneficial for the entire world.

When there is a discussion on holistic healthcare globally, everyone looks at India’s yoga and Ayurveda and holistic style. This is our legacy that we are providing the world with. The world is being influenced by it today, he said.

Experience tells us that we can achieve our goals once we are determined, Modi said, adding be it the goal of renewable energy, the intention of building new medical colleges in the country or creating a workforce of doctors, the pace in every field has increased manifold.

And that’s why I say that the coming 25 years should be of huge resolutions, this should be our life and this should be our pledge, he said.

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.