India remained vigilant round the clock against COVID-19, took right decisions at right time: PM Modi
First Published: 16th January, 2021 16:19 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country remained vigilant round the clock against the coronavirus and asserted that the Central government took the right decisions at the right
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country remained vigilant round the clock against the coronavirus and asserted that the Central government took the right decisions at the right time.
Speaking at the launch of the nationwide vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus via video conferencing, PM Modi said that a high-level committee had already been constituted days before the first case of coronavirus was reported in the country.
“India remained vigilant round the clock and took the right decisions at the right time. On January 30, 2020, the first case of coronavirus was reported in India. Two weeks before this, India had already constituted a high-level committee. That day in 2020, we began surveillance. India issued its first advisory on January 17, 2020. India was among the first nations that began screening of travellers at airports,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said that the announcement of the nationwide lockdown in March 2020 was not an easy decision.
“A lockdown was also announced and it was not an easy decision. To keep such a big population at home is impossible, we knew it. We had analysed the effect of lockdown on the lives and livelihood of people. But the country moved ahead with ‘Jaan hai toh jahaan hai’ and gave priority to saving lives of the countrymen,” he said.
“I also interacted with citizens several times. The arrangement of free food to the poor was made and a supply of essential items including food, gas, and medical supply was ensured. We have set examples for the world at various levels…India’s economy hit by lockdown is also progressing and moving ahead,” he added.
The Prime Minister underlined that India is among the few nations which despite hardships, provided medicines and medical help to over 150 countries around the world.
“Whether it is paracetamol, hydroxychloroquine, or testing equipment, India has made every possible effort to save people of other countries,” he added.
A total of 3006 session sites across all states and union territories was virtually connected during the launch. Around 100 beneficiaries will be vaccinated at each session site on the inaugural day, the union health ministry has said.
The drugs regulatory body of India has currently approved two vaccines. Pune-based Serum Institute of India has developed the Covishield vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University while the Covaxin has been developed by Hyderabad’s Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Medical Council of research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology.
India reported 15,158 new COVID-19 cases, 16,977 discharges and 175 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry’s data on Saturday. The cumulative caseload in the country reached 1,05,42,841 including 2,11,033 active infections and 1,01,79715 recoveries. The death toll has climbed to 1,52,093. (ANI)
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Arunachal Pradesh: CEO reports 100% arm license deposit and stringent security measures
17th April 2024Live One killed, 3 injured in a road accident at Bardang in Sikkim’s Rangpo
17th April 2024Live 20,000 personnel deployed in Nagaland ahead of Lok Sabha polls: DGP Nagaland
17th April 2024Live Polling personnel reach their destinations safely in Kangpokpi
17th April 2024WE RECOMMEND
“You are not innocent”: SC tells Ramdev, he says will remain conscious in future
Co-founder of Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., Ramdev, tendered unconditional apology "for the mistakes", adding that "What we did at the time was not correct. We will be conscious about it in the future."
16th April 2024Need skills to go far beyond Earth’s orbit: ISRO chief Somanath at Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee
The ISRO chief also issued a declaration saying that India aims to create debris free space missions by 2030.
16th April 2024Five killed, several injured as bus falls from flyover in Odisha’s Jajpur
Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Shibasish Moharana said that out of 38 injured, one was seriously injured.
16th April 2024Firing outside Salman Khan’s residence: Mumbai Crime Branch arrests two accused from Gujarat
The Mumbai Police have confirmed that the two accused were caught in Gujarat's Bhuj late on Monday night.
16th April 2024Ram Navami: “Maine nahi banaya Ram ne banwaya”, says Arun Yogiraj as he shares Ram Lalla idol-making journey
On not being able to touch his craft now, Yogiraj said, "I knew that when Lord Ram Lalla would go inside the temple, we will not be able to touch Him."
15th April 2024