Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that providing medical grade oxygen to different states during the second wave of COVID-19 was a challenge but the Indian Air Force, the railways and scores of tanker drivers worked overtime to ensure that it was delivered to those in need on time.
In his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio address, he also touched upon his government's seventh anniversary on Sunday and said the nation has followed the mantra of "sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas" in this period. There have been many moments of national pride, he said.
Apart from many successes, there were some stern tests as well, he said, referring to the pandemic. The nation fought its first wave with courage, and this too will be defeated, he asserted.
Speaking of various natural disasters, the prime minister said more lives were saved compared to the past. He underlined that the Centre and the states are working together to mitigate the sufferings of the people.
PM Modi spoke with a liquid oxygen tanker driver, a woman railway driver and an air force officer involved in transportation of oxygen and related equipment to drive home the point on how these people are working overtime to ensure oxygen reaches those in need.
In normal times daily production of liquid medical oxygen was 900 MT, which has now risen over 10 times to nearly 9,500 MT, the prime minister noted. He said despite the pandemic, the farmers ensured record production of crop and the government also made record procurement.
Here are the key highlights from PM Modi's address:
"In just last 10 days, the country has fought two big cyclones Tauktae and cyclone Yaas on the east coast. The country and the people of the country fought them with full force and ensured minimum casualties," PM Modi said.
"In this difficult and extraordinary situation of calamity, the people of all cyclone-affected states have shown courage. For that, I would like to respectfully commend all the citizens."
"The central, state governments and local administrations are all working together in the face of this disaster. I express my condolences to all those who have lost their close ones."
"In fact, the battle against Covid is so big that our country, like the railways, is working through water, land, sky, sky, all three routes. "
"Many of our scientists, experts and technicians of the industry are working on a war footing. The curiosity to know and understand the work of all these people is in the minds of all the citizens."
"During the second wave of Covid-19, a major challenge was to supply medical oxygen to remote areas. To counter challenges that the country faced, drivers of Cryogenic oxygen tankers helped by working on war footing and saved lives of lakhs of people."
"Oxygen, oxygen concentrators and cryogenic tankers are being brought into the country from abroad. Therefore, Indian Navy, Air Force, Army and DRDO and our institutions are also involved in this mission."
"On one hand, the work is being done to transport the empty tankers to the oxygen plants by Air Force planes, and on the other hand the construction of new oxygen plants is also being completed."
"During the second wave of Covid-19, a major challenge was to supply medical oxygen to remote areas. To counter challenges that the country faced, drivers of Cryogenic oxygen tankers helped by working on war footing and saved lives of lakhs of people."
"The production of liquid oxygen has increased by 10 times. Our corona warriors are delivering them to every corner of the country. When the pandemic started, there were few tests everyday, but now there are around 20 lakh tests being conducted every day."
"You can guess, on normal days, we were producing 900 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen in a day. Now it has grown by more than 10 times and we are producing about 9500 metric tonnes per day. "
"A tribute to the hardworking farmers of India, who have played a key role in feeding the nation during these times of Covid-19. The farmers have produced record production even in the middle of a pandemic. At many places, farmers have got more price than the MSP for mustard. It is only because of the record food-production that our country is able to provide support to every citizen. Free ration is being provided to 80 crore poor people. The farmers of our country are doing wonders in many areas by taking advantage of the new arrangements."
The government has completed 7 years on this day. In these seven years, the success has been that of the country. We have celebrated achievements together with the country. When we see India giving befitting reply to conspiracies from other nations, the confidence of the countrymen increase."
"Today, on the day of Mann Ki Baat, also marks seven years of our government. Over the years, the country has run on the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas'. We all have worked in the service of the country with a dedicated spirit."
"We are all proud when we see that India does not function according to the thinking, or under the pressure, of other countries. The country runs on its own resolution. When India does not compromise on issues of national security, when the strength of our forces increases, we feel that we are on the right track."
