Even In The Toughest Of Times We Should Not Lose Patience: PM Modi Addresses Nation Amid Second Covid Wave

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (20 April) addressed the nation amid rising Covid-19 cases in the country.

"The country is today fighting a big battle against Covid. The situation was normal until the last few weeks but the second wave has crashed upon us. I feel and understand your pain and express condolences for all those who lost their loved ones", said Prime Minister Modi.

The challenge is big but we need to combat it with grit and determination. He thanked the doctors, paramedical staff, sanitation workers, ambulance drivers and police persons for saving people while putting their own lives at risk.

"Even in the toughest of times we should not lose patience, we should take the right decisions and struggle in the right direction to achieve victory over any adverse situation", said Prime Minister Modi while saying that decisions taken recently will help assuage the situation.

The centre, states and the private sector is striving to ensure that there is no shortage of medical oxygen for patients, said the Prime Minister while citing measures like oxygen trains and new oxygen plants.

The Prime Minister added all sort of help is being sought from the pharmaceutical sector to ramp up medicine production and work is ongoing to enhance availability of beds.

Prime Minister Modi said that India today has the cheapest vaccine in the world, which was a result of a fast-tracked development approach which was adopted soon after Covid cases were reported in the country.

Prime Minister Modi informed that frontline and health care workers along with a large section of senior citizens have already been vaccinated against Covid-19.

He also elaborated on India's liberalised vaccine distribution regime which will kick in from 1 May.

The Prime Minister added that not only is the government focused on saving lives, it is also striving to mitigate the adverse economic impact due to the pandemic. He also appealed people to stay where they are and not migrate to other parts of the country.

Prime Minister Modi said that Indian doctors have attained expertise in treating Covid-19 patients and the health infrastructure too has been improved to aid the battle.

He expressed confidence that the country will be successful in defeating the second wave due to the efforts of the people, especially those who are tirelessly toiling to help other. He appealed to the youths to form local committees to ensure Covid discipline which will ensure no need remains to impose containment measures.

While addressing kids, he said that they should create such an environment that family members do not needless leave their houses. He also requested media platforms to run campaigns to ensure there's no environment of fear among people.

"We have to save ourselves from lockdowns, state should only use lockdown as a final option", said Prime Minister Modi while urging states to focus on micro-containment zones.

Prime Minister Modi also assured the nation that no stones will remain un-turned to improve the situation and concluded his speech by urging people to take care of their health.