Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the nation on COVID-19 related issues.
In the main highlight of his speech, PM Modi spoke of the new Rs 20 lakh crore economic package for a self-reliant India. "This is 10 per cent of India's GDP. From tomorrow, everyday FM will address the reforms and it will boost the Make in India initiative," PM Modi added.
PM Modi also took a leaf out of Mahatma Gandhi's book and requested India to buy local products. "Local ke liye vocal hona hai," he said.
Admitting that the coronavirus will be an integral part of our lives for the while, PM also stressed on lockdown 4.0. "On taking advice from the states, we will give you a full low down before May 18," he said.
While stressing on the importance of fighting the virus, PM Modi spoke of the idea of a self-independent India. "When India speaks of self-reliance, it does not advocate for a self-centered system. In India's self-reliance there is a concern for the whole world's happiness, cooperation and peace," he added.
Talking about how one virus has affected the lives of the people, PM Modi said, "It's been four months since we began dealing with the coronavirus. Over 2 lakh people have lost their lives due to the disease across the world. India, too, has suffered because of the virus. We have never seen nor have we heard of such a thing in our existence."
However, he said we should not give up, saying the fight is not over. "We have to maintain our resolve against this coronavirus," he said, adding that India was making over 2 lakh PPE kits and masks every day. "When the crisis started then not even a single PPE kit was manufactured in India, only a few N95 masks were available. Today 2 Lakh PPE kits and 2 Lakh N95 masks are manufactured in India daily," he said.
He cited the example of the Kutch earthquake to highlight his point. "I've witnessed the Kutch earthquake from my eyes. Everything was destroyed. In those circumstances, no one could thing that things would change. But gradually, Kutch grew and thrived again," he said.
Modi spoke of the five pillars: the first one was the economy that rose like a 'quantum jump', the second was the infrastructure, the third our tech-driven nation; the fourth was the 'vibrant' demography; and the fifth 'is demand. PM Modi, while speaking on India's strong demand, India's supply chain needs to be equally strong. "For this, all stakeholders need to be together," he said.
While speaking of India's relations with other countries, PM Modi, "India's medicines are welcomed by countries worldwide globally with hope. Steps such as these has made India a popular and loved country all over the world. It's only natural that every Indian is proud of his country and roots," he said, adding that International Solar Alliance and International Yoga Day have been India's gift to the world.
In a world that is fighting life & death, India's medicines today bring a new hope. With these steps, when India is being praised everywhere in the world, every Indian feels proud, PM Modi added.
Modi's speech comes a day after he had an interaction with all the chief ministers across the nation on the road ahead for India to battle this pandemic.
