Fight against Corona reflects resilience and collective efforts of people, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to be more and careful in the midst of the COVID pandemic even as a major segment of the economy has been opened up. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio today the Prime Minister said, train services have resumed including the Shramik Special trains and special trains.

Prime Minister stated that the fight against corona is a reflection of resilience and collective efforts of the people. He pointed out how the country faced unique challenges with a vast population, and yet Corona did not spread as fast as in the other parts of the world.

He noted that the mortality rate of Corona is a lot less in the country. The Prime Minister hailed the spirit of service shown by the people and called it the biggest strength. He said, Sewa Paramo Dharmah –  service is a joy in itself – is a way of life in India.

The Prime Minister shared how the instances of innovation at this moment of crisis have touched his heart. Sharing his pain at the sufferings and hardships of people due the pandemic, the Prime Minister said, Coronavirus has afflicted all sections of society but the underprivileged labourers and workers have been the most affected.

He said, the entire country understands and feels what they are going through and everyone from the centre, states, to local governance bodies are toiling round the clock. He praised the people who are relentlessly engaged in safely transporting lakhs of labourers in trains and buses, caring for their food, and arranging for their quarantine in every district.

The Prime Minister said, government has taken several steps in this direction. He added that recent decisions taken by the Centre have opened up vast possibilities of village employment, self employment and small scale industry. He expressed confidence the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign will take the country to greater heights in this decade.

Prime Minister Modi stated that the number of beneficiaries of ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme has crossed over one crore. He said, if the poor had to pay for the treatment, more than Rs 14,000 crore would have been required to be paid out of their own pockets.