Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 31 May, addressed the nation through his radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' ahead of the fifth phase of the lockdown, and said that the pain of the poor and labourers cannot be expressed in words.
“There is no section in our country that is unaffected by the difficulties caused by the disease (COVID-19). However, the worst affected are the poor and the labourers. Their pain, their agony, and their ordeal can't be expressed in words,” he said.
Hailing frontline workers, PM Modi lauded India’s fight against COVID-19 and stressed on the importance of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
“When I spoke to you on Mann Ki Baat last time, passenger trains, buses, air services were shut, but this time curbs have been lifted. Shramik Special trains, other special trains and flights have resumed with adequate precautionary measures,” he said.
“A major chunk of economy is active now. There should be no laxity in maintaining six-feet distance, wearing masks and staying indoors as much as possible. We need to be more vigilant now. Due to everyone’s support, the efforts to contain COVID-19 has been ramped up,” he added.
PM Modi also lauded the citizens for finding new and innovative ways to move forward during the pandemic
“One more thing that has touched my heart is innovation at this moment of crisis. A multitude of countrymen from villages and cities, from small scale traders to startups and labs, are devising even new ways of fighting against coronavirus with novel innovations,” he said.
PM Modi said that the virus did not spread in India as rapidly as other countries despite the population being high.
“When we look at other countries, we realise how big the achievement of Indians is. Our population is much more than other countries, challenges are different, still COVID-19 didn’t spread so rapidly as in other countries and fatality rate is also notably lower,” he said.
The Centre on Saturday took an exit step from the 68-day nationwide lockdown, declaring that the restrictions will be limited to only containment zones up to 30 June and that the prohibited activities will be opened in a phased manner in areas outside these zones.
Applicable from Monday, 1 June, the fresh order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spoke of the expanded fresh guidelines a day ahead of the end of lockdown 4.0.
“In exercise of powers under section 6 (2) (i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) it has directed the undersigned to issue an order to extend the lockdown in containment zones up to 30 June, and reopen prohibited activities in a phased manner in areas outside containment zones,” the order says.
Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 10 (2)(l) of the Disaster Management Act 2005, it is directed that the guidelines will remain in force up to 30 June.
‘Entire Country Is Standing With Bengal & Odisha’
The Prime Minister appreciated the courage shown by people of West Bengal and Odisha as Cyclone Amphan wreaked havoc in the region.
“Last week, I went to West Bengal and Odisha to take stock of situation after super cyclone Amphan hit the states. The cyclone destroyed many houses, trees, and farmers suffered huge losses. The courage and will with which these people have faced the cyclone is commendable.”Prime Minister Narendra Modi
PM On Locust Attacks
As swarms of locusts attack parts of western and central India, Prime Minister Modi in Mann Ki Baat said that new innovations will be adopted to deal with the crisis in the agricultural sector. “While the eastern part of India is facing natural calamity caused by a cyclone, many parts of the country are under locust attack. These attacks have reminded us how much damage this small insect can cause,” Modi said.
“Be it the Centre, state government, agriculture department or local administration, everybody is using modern resources to help farmers. By adopting new innovations, I am confident we will be able to deal with this crisis in the agriculture sector.”Prime Minister Narendra Modi
(With inputs from IANS.)
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