Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is fighting the new wave of Covid with "great success" and asserted that the people's trust on indigenous vaccines was "our strength".
In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast, Modi said, "Now the cases of corona infection have also started decreasing, this is a very positive sign." It is a matter of pride that till now about four-and-a-half crore children have been administered the first dose of coronavirus vaccine, he said.
"This means that about 60 per cent of youth in the age group of 15 to 18 years have got their vaccines within three to four weeks. This will not only protect our youth but will also help them to continue with their studies," he said. Another good thing is that within 20 days, one crore people have taken the precaution dose as well, Modi said. "This trust of our people on the indigenous vaccines is our great strength," the prime minister said. He asserted that India is fighting the new wave of coronavirus with "great success".
"People should be safe, the pace of economic activities of the country should be maintained -- this is the wish of every person in the country," Modi said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi congratulated fellow citizens for this "momentous feat" of full vaccination of 75 per cent of all adults and said he is proud of all those who are making the inoculation drive a success.
Tagging a tweet by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in which he stated that India has achieved its goal of vaccinating 75 per cent adult population against Covid, the prime minister said, "75% of all adults are fully vaccinated. Congratulations to our fellow citizens for this momentous feat."
"Proud of all those who are making our vaccination drive a success," he tweeted.
Corruption is like a termite: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said corruption is like a "termite" which makes the country hollow and all the people of the country have to work together to rid the nation of it as soon as possible.
In his Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi said more than one crore children have sent him "their Mann Ki Baat" via postcards which have come from many parts of the country and even from abroad.
These postcards give a glimpse of the broad and comprehensive outlook of the new generation for our country's future, Modi said.
Talking about a postcard from a girl in Uttar Pradesh who had said she wants to see an India free of corruption by 2047, Modi said, "You have talked about corruption-free india. Corruption is like a termite which makes the country hollow. Why wait for 2047 to get rid of it? This is a work all the people of the country, today's youth, have to do together, it has to be done as soon as possible."
"And, therefore, it becomes very important that we give priority to our duties. Where there is a sense of duty, where the duty is supreme, corruption cannot exist," he said.
In his radio broadcast, the prime minister also talked about the merging of the 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' near India Gate and the flame at the nearby National War Memorial.
"We have seen that 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' near India Gate and the flame at the nearby National War Memorial have been merged into one. On this emotional moment, many countrymen and the family of martyrs had tears in their eyes," Modi said.
He urged people to visit the War Memorial.
The Prime Minister in his address also mentioned the recent conferment of the Padma awards and urged citizens to read more about the awardees. "We have also honoured unsung heroes with Padma Awards. These ordinary citizens with exceptional stories are an inspiration to all. I urge citizens to read more about them."
He also said that India has the tradition of looking at education transcending books and universities. "Universities established by Madan Mohan Malviya, Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, are giving direction to the nation and younger generation," he said.
He said that the Indian culture is not unique for Indians but a heritage and a source of inspiration for the whole world that people want to learn.
