Prime minister on 100 cr doses landmark: New and improved India’ that can set difficult targets, achieve them

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India’s success in
administering over 100 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses in nine months has
given a befitting reply to those who questioned its capabilities, and
asserted that this highlights a “new India” which can set difficult
targets and achieve them.

In his address to the nation a day after India crossed the landmark,
Modi dwelt at length about its significance and also projected a picture
of optimism and hope about India’s growth after a spell of
pandemic-induced setback, saying experts and world agencies are very
positive about its economy.

Indian companies and start-ups are receiving record investment and
generating employment, he said.

Often attacked by opposition parties and critics for his government’s
handling of the pandemic, Modi got back at them and asserted that the
administration of 100 crore doses is a new chapter in history and
reflects India’s capabilities.

Some people had asked how the ‘taali-thaali’ initiative and the lighting
of ‘diyas’ at the start of the pandemic would help eradicate the virus,
he noted and said that these measures were a reflection of people’s
participation and unity.

India’s vaccination programme is a most robust example of “sabka saath,
sabka vishwas aur sabka prayas”, he added.

It is a matter of pride for all that the country’s vaccination programme
was “science-born, science-driven and science-based” in which there no
place for any “VIP culture”, he said.

Modi also talked about the apprehensions and doubts raised earlier on
India’s capacity to fight the pandemic.

Pointing out that several questions were raised, such as will the people
of India get the vaccines or not and will India be able to vaccinate
enough people to stop the pandemic from spreading, he said the 100 crore
vaccine dose milestone is the answer to every question.

Modi said 100 crore doses was not just about a number but a symbol of
the country’s capability and a picture of “new India”.

“… It is the writing of a new chapter, a country that knows how to set
difficult targets and achieve them. It is a picture of that new India
that has the strength to strive for achieving its goals,” the prime
minister said.

One impact of this milestone would be that the world would consider
India safer from coronavirus and its position as a pharma hub would
grow, he said.

At the beginning of the Covid pandemic, fears were expressed that it
would be very difficult to fight the disease in a democracy like India.
It was also asked how would there be the restraint and discipline
required to combat the pandemic “but for us democracy means ‘Sabka
Saath’,” Modi said.

Taking everyone along, the country had started the campaign of ‘Sabko
Vaccine, Muft Vaccine’, he noted.

The country, he said, had only one mantra — that if the disease does
not discriminate, then there cannot be any discrimination in the
vaccination.

“That’s why it was ensured that there is no VIP culture in the
vaccination drive,” he said.

“No matter how big a post one holds, no matter how rich he or she is,
they will get vaccination just as a common person will,” Modi said.

The prime minister said there is confidence in the country today. From
various strata of society to the economy, at every level and everywhere,
there is “optimism, optimism and optimism”, he said while also
emphasising that people should not drop their guard during the festive
season and continue with Covid-appropriate behaviour such as masks.

Experts as well as national and international agencies are very positive
about India’s economy with Indian companies not only getting record
investments but employment generation also taking place, Modi said.

With record investment in start-ups, record numbers of unicorns are also
being created, he said.

He prime minister urged people to keep following Covid protocol during
the festival season and not drop their guard.

“No matter how good the shield is, how modern it is, there may be a
guarantee of protection from the shield, but weapons are not laid down
till the battle is on,” the prime minister said, urging people to
continue wearing masks and follow Covid appropriate behaviour.

There is no reason to get careless, he said, adding that people must
celebrate festivals taking all precautions.

Modi said the government had made public participation the first line of
defence in the country’s fight against the pandemic.

Just like the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ is a mass movement, buying things
made in India, buying things made by Indians, being ‘Vocal for Local’,
has to be put into practice in the same way, he said.

The pandemic had causes apprehensions in the mind of people during the
last Diwali but people have confidence now due to 100 crorse doses as
the festival approaches, he said.