On March 25, 2020, India went into a complete lockdown because of coronavirus. The fear of the virus this past year has stopped many of us from stepping out of our houses. Life came to a halt like no one had imagined before, not just in India but around the world.
297 days later, on January 16, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the COVID vaccination drive in India. As the lockdown was lifting gradually from various places, shops reopened, employees went back to office and schools and colleges too considered reopening. But the fear of the virus loomed large, always.?
With the beginning of the vaccination drive today, people are hopeful that the pre-COVID normalcy might just be achievable sooner rather than later.? ?
Social media is buzzing with images and videos of people in various states of India getting their first vaccine doses.?Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi became the first person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine jab, as India began the world's largest immunization drive against the pandemic.
The COVID-19 vaccination drive also began at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar and the first volunteer there said, "I am happy. I volunteered to get the first jab to encourage others so that others can also benefit from the vaccine."?
The launch took place via video conferencing and over 3,000 sites across all States and Union territories connected during the launch.?
With the beginning of the vaccination drive, people seem to be filled with fresh hope and excitement. This is how some people have been reacting online:
Congratulations India, for we started the vaccination process which will benefit Crores people o world .
Thank you PM @narendramodi ji. ????#LargestVaccineDrive
While the countrymen have been advised to continue following protective measures - like putting on a mask, keeping hands sanitised all the times and maintaining social distancing - even after getting the vaccine, the beginning of the vaccination drive against coronavirus is certainly brings hope for a COVID-free world.