New Delhi: There could be issues about the manner and content dwelt upon in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief and the seventh address to the nation since Lockdown was first enforced in March this year.
However, the Prime Minister’s intent was apolitical. Even a well known pro-Congress commentator Rasheed Kidwai said, in his address on October 20 — marking the commencement of the festive season in India – PM Modi’ sounded like a ‘sage’.
The PM’s message to the nation was crystal clear, “Do not weaken the big fight against Corona”.
“This is not the time to be careless; this is not the time to be complacent and assume that there is no danger from coronavirus any longer. Roaming outside home without a mask, you are endangering those around you,” he said.
He was more than emphatic – “Lockdown might have gone, but the Virus has not gone”.
One missive from a netizen in the social media tried to raise a question: “I am just wondering, did people expect big news, or a big gesture… ..Lighting candles and diyas or playing conch shells … was the PM’s speech anti-climax in content?”
Some of these queries are relevant as reports and observations from experts vis-a-vis pollution concerns in Delhi and northern states signal ominous spectre.
“Pollutants can also cause a persistent inflammatory response and increase the risk of infection by viruses that target the respiratory tract,” says a report in the BBC website.
Epidemiologists have cautioned that toxic air can harm and even defeat India’s fight against the unseen virus. Of course, there have been no studies yet to examine the effect of air pollution on Covid-19 infection.
Compared to WHO’s safety limits for PM2.5 levels, Delhi has around 180-300 micrograms per cubic metre – 12 times higher than the global health body’s acceptable norms.
As India battles Covid19, the fight is also must against air pollution level as certain controversial practices like stubble burning remains a challenge.
According to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, “Next two and half months will be crucial in India’s combat against coronavirus”.
“This is the festival season, and thus it will be the responsibility of every citizen not to let our guard down and ensure that the spread of the infection is curbed”.
In Kerala, there is an admission from the communists’ regime that the recent Onam festival had contributed to aggravating the Covid19 situation.
Hence in more ways than one, the prime minister’s address on October 20 only goes further to echo the sentiment of what has been cautioned by experts and even his Health Minister.
“The Prime Minister was extremely measured…almost sage-like, look at his choice of words. There is an election in Bihar, but there was nothing overtly political…,” says author Rasheed Kidwai adding, Mr Modi is trying to pitch himself as a person “who understands everything”. Of course, he also says, “I wish the Prime Minister had spoken more on vaccines…”.
Nevertheless, there has been certain criticism from expected quarters – Sitaram Yechury of CPI-M and Randeep Surejewala of Congress.
Prior to the address, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tried to question the government’s China policy and wanted to know whether Modi would say something on that issue.
For his part, Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the Prime Minister’s televised address and said: “The safety and healthy life of Indians has been the top priority of the Modi government. In this battle against Corona, the Modi government considered it to be the ultimate duty to save the lives of the countrymen. I request everyone that the Prime Minister appeal- ‘No laxity until there is a medicine’ should be the mantra of your life”.
Endorsing them, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted in Hindi saying, “All countrymen must accept the Prime Minister’s request as this is not the time to be callous and complacent. It would be a big mistake to assume that Corona is gone or there is no danger from the virus”. “So take care of hygiene, make a distance of two yards and wear a mask. This is for the benefit of all, ” Rajnath added.
