Migrants, Unlock, Yoga and all that PM Modi addressed in Mann Ki Baat
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi re-cautioned people to not loosen their guards against the coronavirus and stick with the measures like social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands as several sections have been reopened to revive economic condition.
Referring to India’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the PM said with its diverse challenges and population, the country has been able to contain the spread of infection and the death toll is comparatively lower.
On Sunday, India recorded new 8,000 cases to take the total toll of cases to 1,82,143 and death toll stands at 5,164. Union health ministry data showed there were 8,380 fresh Covid-19 cases, up from Saturday’s 7,964, and 193 fatalities in the last 24 hours.
“Covid-19 is very much there and we cannot be complacent… The road ahead is a long one. We are fighting a pandemic about which little was previously known,” he said.
Migrant Crisis
While PM Modi acknowledged that major section of the society has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the pain of poor cannot be imagined. He lauded the efforts made by individuals and organizations in helping the needy ones with food and shelter during the crisis situation.
“…However, the worst affected are the poor and the labourers. Their pain, their agony, and their ordeal can’t be expressed in words,” he said.
While the government has been massively criticized over the way migrants were left with no option but to walk till their homes, PM praised Indian Railways for running special trains to take the stranded ones back home.
“The Centre, states, local bodies are all working day and night. The way our railway forces are making efforts round-the-clock they are in a way front line corona warriors transporting safely millions of migrant labourers to their homes; arranging for their food, managing quarantine centres in every district and arrangements for testing and treatment for everyone. All these efforts are going on continuously and at a large scale,” he said.
Aatma Nirbhar Bharat
PM Modi once again talked about self-reliance and said many problems being faced now would not have arisen if the villages and towns were self-reliant.
“At some places work in skill mapping of the labourers is taking place, at some places start-ups are being encouraged, migration commission has been commissioned somewhere and the Centre will also help open up opportunities for employment self-employment and small scale industries in villages. These decisions are aimed at resolving the crisis and building a self-reliant India,” he said.
Yoga
He mentioned the hidden benefits of Yoga and Ayurveda to boost immunity and health of people.
“During this corona crisis I had a chance to speak to many world leaders I want to share one secret today, they expressed great interest in Yoga and Ayurveda. Some leaders enquired how these can help in these times of Corona,” he said.
“We have to explore yoga for community, immunity and unity,” the PM said.
Environment
With the World Environment Day coming up on June 5, the PM said it is imperative to pay attention to the biodiversity and conservation of water.
“In some parts of eastern India, we witnessed the destruction caused by cyclone… I was in Odisha and West Bengal last week to take stock of the situation. The way people of West Bengal and Odisha showed courage in dealing with the situation is commendable. In this hour of crisis the country standing by the side of people of these two states” he said.
He said the lockdown has given an opportunity to understand the rich biodiversity around us.
“Clean environment is directly linked to our life and the future of our children and therefore we have to be concerned about it individually, I request you to plant some trees on this environment day,” he said.
