Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the UN headquarters on September 27, 2019, in New York City. Drew Angerer / Getty Images
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on Indians to be careful and take precautions such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distance in public as the country prepares to reduce its locking nationally starting Monday.
Modi, giving his monthly radio address, praised India’s determination towards Covid-19, especially given its large population. India is the second most populous country in the world after China.
The country has suffered, but everyone is determined to continue to deal with it, Modi said.
He also praised charity groups, including NGOs and voluntary organizations, saying commitment to serving people in need was part of the Indian ethos and that the country had demonstrated this, especially amid a pandemic.
Modi also discussed migrant crisis that the country had faced amid national lockdown, said there was no part of the country that had not been touched by the current situation. Migrants, the poor, and laborers are the worst affected.
Victory over the coronavirus pandemic will also depend on innovation, Modi said. The road to victory over coronavirus is very long and the world has never experienced anything like this before, he added.
He also mentioned other recent crises which had an impact on the nation, including Typhoon Amphan and grasshopper herds, and pledge all possible assistance to those affected.
India’s Interior Ministry has issued a three-phase plan to lift the current lock restrictions, starting Monday.
