Large Parts of Economy Now Open, Time to be More Careful, Says PM Modi In His Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Sunday as part of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'. In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted that the people of India should now be even more careful in their fight against the coronavirus menace as the economy is gradually being reopened.

screengrab

He insisted that India's population is more than most other countries but still the threat has been tackled well so far. "We have endured suffering, but everyone is resolved to handle it," said.

"The last time I spoke to you through ¡®Mann Ki Baat', passenger train services, busses, and flights had come to a standstill. This time around much has resumed-Shramik special trains are operational; other special trains, too, have begun. With utmost precautions, flights have resumed; industry, too, is returning to normalcy; thus, opening up a major segment of the economy. In such a scenario, we need to be even more alert and careful. Whether it¡¯s the mandatory two yards distancing, wearing face masks, or staying at home to the best extent possible, there should be no laxity on our part in complete adherence," he said.

Twitter

The Prime Minister said the battle against Corona is being fiercely waged in the country through collective efforts. When we glance at the world, we can actually experience the magnitude of the achievements of the people of India. Our population itself is many times that of most countries. The challenges facing the country too are of a different kind, yet Corona did not spread as fast as it did in other countries of the world.

PM Modi also hailed the work being done on developing a COVID-19 vaccine. Work being done in our labs on the coronavirus vaccine is being keenly observed by the world and we are hopeful too." he said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the plight of those suffered during the lockdown. There is no stratum in our country unaffected by the difficulties caused by the affliction-the most gravely affected by the crisis are the underprivileged labourers and workers. Their agony, their pain, their ordeal cannot be expressed in words. Who amongst us cannot understand and feel what they and their families are going through.

He also said that there is a growing interest about Yoga and Ayurveda around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AFP

"During the ongoing Corona crisis, I spoke to many world leaders. I have observed that during deliberations between world leaders; a lot of interest is evinced in Yog and Ayurved. Many leaders asked me if Yog and Ayurved could be of help in this calamitous period of Corona. Friends, 'International Yoga Day' is arriving soon. As 'Yoga' is getting integrated with people's lives, the awareness about their health, is also continuously on the rise among them. During the present Corona pandemic it is being observed from Hollywood to Haridwar that, while staying at home, people are paying serious attention to 'Yoga'.

People everywhere want to know more about 'Yoga' and along with it 'Ayurveda' and adopt it as a way of life. Many people, who have never practiced yoga, have either joined online yoga classes or are also learning yoga through online videos. In yoga, there are many types of Pranayama that strengthen the respiratory system; the beneficial effects of which we have been witnessing for long. These are time tested techniques, which have their own distinct significance.