Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought the nation’s forgiveness for imposing a monumental lockdown on the country, but said “we have to win … and we will definitely win the battle” against the unprecedented menace of coronavirus that has claimed 25 lives in India so far.
Addressing the country during his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme, Modi sought “forgiveness” from country, especially the poor.
Thousands of migrants, mostly daily wage labourers, across India are headed to their villages in UP and Bihar as the country announced a nation-wide curfew to prevent the spread of coronavirus.On Saturday, chaos, confusion and a stampede-like situation prevailed at the Delhi-Ghaziabad border as thousands of migrant workers fought amongst themselves to get seats on the limited number of buses the Uttar Pradesh administration operated on Saturday to ferry them to the hinterlands.
Modi said coronavirus was bent on killing people therefore entire humanity must unite and resolve to eliminate it. The disease must be dealt with at the very beginning and all of India is doing that, he said.
Modi said people not following quarantine measures world over were now repenting and urged people to be mindful.
He asked Indians to show “courage and resolve”, follow “Lakshman Rekha” for several days more.
“We should take inspiration from all front-line soldiers in the fight against coronavirus, especially nurses, doctors, paramedics,” he added.
The Prime Minister also talked to Agra’s Ashok Kapoor, who along with his entire family, including young son, was infected by coronavirus.
Kapoor, a shoes manufacturer, told the PM that his two sons and a family member caught the virus in Italy and infected others upon returning. PM told Kapoor to spread awareness about anti-coronavirus measures in Agra, use social media for the purpose.
Modi also spoke to doctors from different parts of the country.
Dr. Nitish Gupta from Delhi said that many hospitalised people are scared after seeing news of massive deaths in other countries and needed counselling.
Dr. Borse from Pune told the PM that all the patients in his hospital were recovering well.
Modi said that Doctors’ sacrifices reminded him of an ancient Hindu sage who said one who “serves patients without financial motive was a real doctor”.
He said “daily life heros” such as sanitation and utility workers were ensuring that our daily lives continue smoothly. The PM also praised bank employees, grocers, e-commerce delivery personnel and IT people who were making India work during lockdown.
We have to maintain social distance, not emotional and human distance, the PM said, and urged people not to victimise those in quarantine.
Social distancing doesn’t mean stopping of social interaction, says PM, and urged Indians to reconnect with friends.
Modi urged people to take up old hobbies such as gardening, music during lockdown to deal with isolation.
The fight against coronavirus is unprecedented, therefore we had to take unprecedented decisions, he said.
