New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that people in the country need to be more alert and careful now as a major segment of the economy is opening up gradually with precautions amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“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,” he said during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address.
Although some restrictions will be eased, all social distancing rules like maintaining ‘Do Gaj ki doori’ (two yards distance), wearing masks, remaining at home as much as possible, must be followed in a disciplined manner so as to avoid any further spread of the virus, the PM said.
“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.
He said that 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. The mortality rate of corona too is a lot less in our country,” he said.
“All of us deeply regret the loss that we had to undergo. But whatever we have been able to save is a result of the collective resolve of the country. In a country as big as ours, everyone is determined to put up a fight; the entire campaign is people-driven,” he added.
On cyclone Amphan, PM said that when the country was busy in dealing with the Covid pandemic, Eastern India was facing the cyclonic calamity. He said the cyclonic storm inflicted heavy damage in West Bengal and Odisha but the country stands with the two states at such a tough time. The PM also lauded the people in the two states for showing remarkable courage.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the locust attacks in several states across the country and said that help will be extended to all those affected by the menace. He said that the Centre as well as state governments are engaged at different levels to help farmers lessen the loss accruing due to this crisis by using modern techniques.
The PM further said that the theme for this year’s ‘World Environment Day’ (June 5) is ‘Bio Diversity’, and asserted that this theme is especially pertinent in the current circumstances.
He also urged the people to live in harmony with nature, while talking about positive changes in the natural environment and drop in pollution levels since the lockdown. “For ensuring that the rivers remain clean, animals and birds have the right to live freely and the sky remains pollution free, we must derive inspiration to live life in harmony with nature,” he said.
The PM also urged the people to save and conserve water in this rainy season, saying that traditional conservation methods used in villages are very simple remedies in this direction, and can be employed to tap the precious resource.
Besides that, PM said that there is a link between respiratory problems and Covid-19, and urged people to do Yoga for a healthy lifestyle. “Yoga is good for community, immunity and unity”, PM said.
The PM’s radio address comes on a day when the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown comes to an end. The MHA issued ‘Unlock 1’ guidelines yesterday, allowing a phased reopening of most of the activities across the country. However, the lockdown has been restricted to containment zones till June 30.
The night curfew has also been reduced to 9 PM to 5 AM now, which was earlier 7 PM to 7 AM.
