Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Oct.22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that 100 crore vaccines against the coronavirus disease are a symbol of the new India, not just a statistic. While many talked about ‘taali, thaali’ (early campaigns in the fight against the virus), the PM said the recent achievement demonstrated the country was unified in the fight.
The PM stated our country has triumphed in its Covid campaign, and 130 crore citizens are behind it, in a speech to the nation a day after the cumulative vaccine doses against coronavirus passed the record figure of 100 crore. “It’s because of their achievement. I congratulate everyone,” he added.
“While we are being lauded by countries across the world, most will miss where we started- where we were dependent on others,” he said.
The PM said at the time, lots of questions were raised – would we be able to afford, would we be able to vaccinate quickly to beat pandemic? “This moment today has answered all these doubts,” he added.
“As a pharma hub, our status has been reinforced. Today is a live example of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka prayas”.
He went on to say that India began a free vaccine campaign to emphasise the country’s lack of a “VIP culture.”
He claimed that while vaccination hesitancy was a problem in many industrialised countries, it was not a problem in India, as evidenced by the administration of 100 crore doses. “People questioned ‘taali, thaali,’ but that was a step to show that the country was unified, it stood together, and even administered one crore vaccines in one day,” Modi added, slamming his critics over the initial campaigns of pounding utensils to push frontline workers.
He claimed that India’s vaccine programme is science-based and follows a scientific approach throughout.
“We see optimism all around us. Not only are Indian enterprises attracting fresh investment, but they are also creating job possibilities for the young.”
“There was a time when the phrase’made in this nation’ was all the rage. “Made in India’s power is now felt by all citizens.”
“I implore all citizens to make’made in India’ and ‘voice for local’ as big a movement as’swachch abhiyaan.’ We feel a sense of belief and confidence this Diwali, unlike the last.”
“However strong the ‘kawach’ (shield) is, the war is not over. Just like we are used to wearing shoes, please make wearing masks a habit,” the PM added.
