PM Modi Wishes For A Healthy Planet, Urges People To Maintain ‘Do Gaj Ki Doori’ As His Birthday Gift

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who celebrated his 70th birthday on September 17 took to social media to thank the people for their birthday wishes for him. He urged everyone to continue wearing masks and follow social distancing norms in a bid to contain coronavirus. In a late-night tweet on Thursday, the Prime Minister wrote saying here’s what he wants as his birthday wish and said, “Since many have asked, what is it that I want for my birthday, here is what I seek right now: Keep wearing a mask and wear it properly; Follow social distancing. Remember ‘Do Gaj Ki Doori’; Avoid crowded spaces; Improve your immunity. Let us make our planet healthy.”

View Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Message

His latest appeal comes at a time when India is experiencing a massive surge in coronavirus cases. Currently, India is only the second country in the world, after the United States, to record more than 50 lakh cases. On Friday (September 18), India added 96,424 coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, taking its tally past the 52-lakh mark, as per the data by the Health Ministry. The number of cases in the country now stands at 52,14,678 including 10,17,754 active cases. In the 24-hour period, India also reported 1,174 deaths linked to the virus, taking the total number of fatalities to 87,372.

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Before his birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a smiler appeal to people and said not to take coronavirus lightly and follow the rule of wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing till scientists develop a vaccine. While addressing the national launch of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and several other initiatives in Bihar via video conference, he had said,

I have certain expectations from each one of you. That is to follow the rule of wearing a mask and adopt Do Gaj ki Doori (a distance of two yards).

Further urging people to remain safe and healthy during these unprecedented times, PM Modi added,

Be safe and remain healthy. Take care of senior citizens in the family. These things are important. Do not take coronavirus lightly. Till scientists develop a vaccine for COVID-19 the only way forward is through social distancing. It is the best way to save ourselves from coronavirus. This is the only solution for now.

Also Read: Don’t Take Coronavirus Lightly: PM Modi Urges People To Wear Mask, Bollywood Celebrities Join In To Spread The Message

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. 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 highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. 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 become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.