New Delhi: The 100 crore vaccination target is no small achievement. It is a more satisfying achievement actually because of more reasons than one.
"Aaj ekis October, 2021… Itihas mein darj ho gaya (Today's achievement has ensured a permanent place for October 21, 2021 in the pages of history)," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
Firstly, the gigantic size of the country. At times, opposition-ruled states did not take the Vaccination drive on a mission mode for the initial months. Then the political scepticism resulted in vaccination hesitation among a large section of people too.
But, what counts in the ultimate analysis is the results, which came to Hardway bringing in smiles on the face of millions of health workers, the stakeholders in pharma companies and of course, other stakeholders in the government and country's health system.
"Congratulations, PM Narendra Modi, the scientists, health workers & people of India, on your efforts to protect the vulnerable populations from COVID19 and achieve vaccine equity targets," tweeted Tedros A. Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), giving a global pat on the back of those Indians who worked for this momentous occasion.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur sum up the national mood aptly when he says, "I congratulate everyone for achieving 100 crore vaccination mark. We achieved it despite an atmosphere of apprehensions."
On Thursday, Union Health Minister Mansukhbhai Mandaviya launched a song and audio-visual film to celebrate the major milestone of achieving the 100 crores Covid-19 vaccination mark.
J P Nadda, BJP national chief, too was glad. "India has achieved 100 crore COVID19 vaccinations in less than 10 months. This shows our government's commitment towards the health safety of every person in the country. I extend heartfelt thanks to PM Modi and express gratitude towards healthcare & frontline workers," said Nadda, who was also Union Health Minister in Modi 1.0 for some time.
"Bharat Biotech is proud to have contributed to this historic landmark. This is a unified effort of the Govt, vaccine manufacturers, healthcare workers and all the vaccinated citizens, making it a true success story of Atmanirbharta," said Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman MD.
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant too was enthusiastic about the achievement.
"Seeing scale and size we've achieved it in less time. It's a result of our collective effort. Out of 100 crore vaccination doses, 30-35 crore are double doses-more than the population of countries like Indonesia, US; shows India as a vaccination capital."
Announcements were made in airports, railway stations and elsewhere.
Overcoming the hurdles:
The achievement finally shows any determined effort is bound to bring in a satisfactory outcome.
"Rahul Gandhi ji asks where is the vaccine for our children. That vaccine is in the garbage in Rajasthan and profits are being made on that vaccine in Punjab," thus spoke Union Minister and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri not long ago.
"….. This is the culture of Congress," Puri had directed his ire against the Congress party for abusing vaccines, including dumping them in Rajasthan and, on the other hand, questioning the centre and BJP leadership about the efficacy of the system.
Citing the data of Covid-19 vaccination in Punjab, Puri had said the figures showed that the Congress dispensation in the northern state indulged in profiteering by overcharging for the vaccines.
One dose of Covishield vaccine, which costs ₹309, has been sold at ₹1,560 through private hospitals, Puri alleged.
Before that, there were leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav, a former UP CM and Samajwadi chief. He had called the vaccines' Bhajpa (BJP) vaccines', saying he would not take the shot. Very few top Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have been seen photographed with vaccine jabs. Mamata Banerjee-ruled West Bengal had a vaccine scam, and even a Trinamool MP was supposedly 'trapped' to take a fake jab.
The police arrested Debanjan Deb on June 23 for allegedly posing as an IAS officer and organising a COVID-19 vaccination camp,
But in the CWC meet lately, Sonia Gandhi claimed most Congress leaders have been 'vaccinated'.
Irony? – It's a small word!
