New Delhi: Prime minister Narendra Modi commenced his speech at 8pm on Tuesday talking about the COVID 19 situation in the world. He said that the world is fighting with the disease for over four months now. More than three lakh people have lost their lives to the virus he said, expressing his sympathy and condolence towards the deaths. Modi said that India has been an example in regards to its progress in the past century and the country needs to become self-sufficient after the pandemic. He explained how the country didn’t use to manufacture PPE kits in India with only a few N95 masks available and now, we manufacture 2 lakh PPE kits and N96 masks each day. He spoke about corona virus and its character as no one had ever heard about or seen such a crisis, adding, that this was something no human imagined, unparalleled. He encouraged everyone by saying that humans will not be accepting any sort of defeat from this virus. We not only have to keep ourselves safe but also move forward, battling it.
“When India speaks of self-reliance, it does not advocate for a self-centered system. In India’s self-reliance there is a concern for the whole world’s happiness, cooperation and peace,” the PM addressed. He further said that India stands on 5 pillars which are economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography, demand. He believes that our vibrant democracy is our strength and that demand and supply chain plays a vital role. Our strength lies in our demand and supply chain system and the same need to be used to its full capabilities.
Modi announced a new monetary economic package, ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ for the poor and middle class Indians who are suffering the most due to this virus. This package, that will kickstart the Independent India Mission, will be of 20 lakh crores. It is equal to 10% of India’s GDP, he said. It will give equal importance to land, labour, liquidity and law sector. The PM said that the package mainly concerns the farmers who work in every state and season for their fellow citizens and the middleclass Indians who honestly pay their taxes for the development of India. He said that the Finance Minister will be providing the all the details pertaining to the package from Wednesday.
He focused on making India self-reliant to conquer any future crisis like coronavirus. We need to prepare India for becoming self-confident and independent. The situation has shaken the economies of some of the biggest countries and we need to work towards such scenarios not affecting our country again. He expressed gratitude over people of all classes showing patience and tolerance amid the pandemic and the daily workers who’ve faced and sacrificed the most. He said that while everyone felt their absence, it’s our duty to make them stronger financially.
He spoke about how no global markets could cater to our needs and only the local brands saved us. Modi said that local businesses are not just a source of our needs but also our responsibility. We can ensure the global reach of our local brands only when we start taking pride and advertise them. He explained how global businesses were too some local brands before getting the audience they needed. He also encouraged everyone to be ‘Vocal about our Local’. He reminded about how his small advice to buy khaadi and handloom to all Indians has increased the market demand of them. According to the scientists, coronavirus is going to stay amid us for a long time, he said, but we need not revolve or confine our lives around it. We need to keep wearing masks and taking proper precautions but not give up on our dreams due to it.
Modi announced lockdown 4.0 which is going to be entirely different than the other 3 lockdown phases with new set of rules and regulations, information regarding which will be given before 18th May with the advice from all states of the country. He further said that India is capable enough to become self-reliant and that 21st century has to be made the century of India. PM perorated saying, we can do it and we will do it, and concluded by sharing his well-wishes to all.
