Revisiting PM Modi's speeches during Covid -19
Money9 takes a look at what Modi said on dealing with coronavirus during his earlier addresses to the nation
With rising covid cases and worsening situation in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation at 8:45 PM on Tuesday. The address focused on the second wave of the spread of coronavirus and the challenge of fighting the covid pandemic together. He emphasized that the center’s efforts are to save each and every person’s life and ensure the supply of oxygen is enough in all the states. The speech came after Modi, chaired several review meetings over the past few days, on the prevailing crisis with doctors, pharma giants, senior governmental officials, etc. His today’s speech marks as the first one for the second wave of covid-19 and is delivered after a year of his first covid-19 address to the nation on March 19, 2020.
Here is a look at the timeline of his addresses made with respect to covid-19 and the intent of those speeches.
March 19, 2020– PM Modi announced the Janata curfew for March 22, to prepare people for a longer lockdown. Modi requested all to stay indoors from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm on the ‘Janata Curfew’ day.
March 24, 2020– Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to prevent further spread of Covid-19. The PM also said that the Centre and the state governments have set aside Rs 15,000 crore for health infrastructure.
April 3, 2020- PM Modi appealed to people to switch off all lights of their houses at 9 PM, to mark the coronavirus fight.
April 14, 2020– PM announced the extension of the 21-day coronavirus lockdown for 19 more days, till May 3.
May 12, 2020– Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a further extension with Unlock 4, being different. PM Modi advocated for ‘vocal for the local’ and urged the people to buy and promote local products and brands. A package worth Rs 20 lakh crore to deal with the economic crisis due to the COVID-19, was also announced.
June 30, 2020– PM Modi praised the nation’s efforts in containing the virus, by comparing it with other countries. He also announced an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to provide free ration for over 80 crore people below the poverty line.
October 20, 2020– Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people that the Center is making all efforts to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine, reaches every Indian. In this speech, he also advised people to be careful and maintain all the safety protocols, He said the threat of virus still exists if there are no stringent lockdown like restrictions.