Important to treat coronavirus completely and remain cautious: PM Modi

Quoting a Sanskrit shloka, the Prime Minister also stressed that debt and illness, if taken lightly, grow again at the first opportunity, assuming dangerous proportions. From April 20, the government has already announced a number of relaxations in lockdown conditions in sync with the government's priority on life as well as livelihood (Jaan bhi Jahan bhi) as enunciated by the Prime Minister, who had first focussed on saving lives (Jaan Hai to Jahan Hai). While some chief ministers favour a further extension, the main Opposition party Congress has slammed the government for announcing on lockdowns while having no containment strategy. Amid mounting criticism over its handling of problems of migrants, many of whom chose to walk thousands of miles on foot to reach their homes during lockdown, the government has indicated a tweaking in strategy, allowing states to move migrants to homes, starting from within state movement first. Modi in his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, however, stressed that in in the truest sense of the term, in India, it is the people who are fighting the coronavirus. “Cast a glance anywhere, you’ll notice that India’s fight is people driven…at a time when the whole world is trying to extricate itself from the clutches of this pandemic. In future, when it will be dwelt upon in hindsight, when ways and means will be reflected upon, I do believe that India’s people driven fight will also be touched upon,” he said calling it a ’Mahayagya’. The Prime Minister also hailed his government’s recent decision to bring an ordinance to ensure strict punishment to those harassing or injuring or indulging in violence against 'corona warriors'. Modi said today when he speaks to heads of state of various countries on phone, they make sure to express gratitude to the people of India. Modi said a sea change in attitude towards wearing masks will be seen soon and it will now become a symbol of cultured society while another awareness is that people now understand the damage that can be caused by spitting in public places.