New Delhi|HL
On the 75th Independence Day Prime Minister Narendra Modi said from the ramparts of Red fort that our country India takes pride in having the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination programme and more than 54 crore people have already taken the vaccine doses.
Modi praised the efforts and hard work by health workers including scientists, doctors, paramedical and other staff to fight against the pandemic COVID19.
He lauded those involved in vaccine manufacturing in the country, saying India did not have to depend on others for vaccines due to their efforts.
The pandemic comes with new challenges for our country but we succeeded to combat the same with the enthusiastic efforts of all.
During the time India has developed vaccines with the strength and extraordinary effort by our scientists and today we do not have to depend on any other country for COVID-19 vaccine,” Modi said.
“The people of India exercised restraint and fought the pandemic with a lot of patience. We had many challenges. But in every field, we countrymen have worked at an extraordinary pace.
“It is the result of the strength of our scientists, our entrepreneurs that today we do not have to depend on any other country for COVID-19 vaccine,” Modi said.
The prime minister stated that online platforms like CoWIN and the system of giving digital vaccination certificates are attracting the attention of the world.
“We have to ensure we meet our goal of building Aatmanirbhar Bharat when we celebrate 100 years of India’s Independence,” PM Modi said.
The prime minister said though it is true that compared to other countries fewer people got infected by COVID-19 in India and also a high proportion of people could be saved from succumbing to the viral disease, it is not a matter of self-congratulation.
“It is not something to be proud of! We cannot rest on these laurels. To say that there was no challenge will become a restrictive thought in the path of our own development,” he said.
“Our arrangements are less as compared to the rich countries of the world, we do not have what the world has, what the rich countries have… and we also have a large population and our lifestyle is also different.
“Despite all our efforts, we could not save so many people in this fight against COVID-19. So many children have been orphaned. This unbearable pain will always remain with us,” he said.
“During the coronavirus global pandemic, our doctors, our nurses, our paramedical staff, sanitation staff, scientists engaged in making vaccines and citizens who devoted their time to public service, they all deserve to be worshipped,” he added.
Source-Agencies
