'I can feel the pain of the nation, we must not lose hope'

Describing the COVID-19 virus as an “adrishya” (invisible) and “bahurupiya” (quickly-changing) “dushman” (enemy) that was challenging the entire world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he empathised with those suffering because of the pandemic.

“We have a ‘adrishya dushman’ which is also a ‘bahurupiya’. The pain my countrymen have experienced I am also experiencing the same. Being the ‘pradhan sewak’ of the country, I am ‘sahbhagi’ of your pain,” he said in his online address at an event to disburse the 8th instalment to the beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.

“Because of this coronavirus, we have lost people close to us. The pain that citizens have suffered, that many experienced, I am feeling it equally,” he said

“The pandemic, the worst in 100 years, is testing the world at every step. There is an invisible enemy before us, “ he added

The PM said the government was fighting COVID-19 with all its might and ensuring that every department was working day and night to ease the pain of the nation.

“The Central Government and all the State Governments together, are making continuous efforts to enable more and more countrymen to get vaccinated at a rapid pace.

“So far, around 18 crore vaccine doses have been given across the country. Free vaccination is being done in government hospitals across the country,” he said

The Prime Minister urged everyone to register for the vaccine when their turn comes and ensure covid appropriate behaviour at all times. He added that this vaccine is an important means of protection against corona and will reduce the risk of serious illness.

Modi said the armed forces were working to ensure oxygen supply in these tough times. Railways were also running oxygen express trains. The pharma sector of the country was manufacturing and delivering medicines on a large scale. He requested the state governments to ensure strict laws to counter black marketing of medicines and medical supplies.

The Prime Minister remarked that India is not a nation that loses hope in tough times and hoped that this challenge would be overcome with strength and dedication. He warned about the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas as well and urged the village panchayats to ensure proper awareness and sanitation in their respective areas. 

Courtesy: The Tribune: 14th May, 2021