Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the nation at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the last day of the 21-day lockdown, amid indications that the shutdown could be extended.
At least seven States — Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana — have already announced extension of the lockdown till April 30.
This is Mr. Modi’s third address to the nation in the last one month in view of COVID-19 pandemic. On March 19, the Prime Minister proposed a day-long Janata Curfew on March 22, saying no citizen, barring those in essential services, should get out of house. He had urged the nation to applaud at 5 pm that day the selfless work of essential services personnel.
On March 24, Mr. Modi again addressed the nation — this time he announced a 21-day lockdown, which ends today. On April 3, he sent out a video message to urge all citizens to switch off all lights for nine minutes and light up lamps or torch or cellphone flashlights.
Here are the live updates:
India’s combat with the Coronavirus pandemic is going ahead with full force, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He credits the People of India for the “discipline and sacrifice” of the people because of which we were able to withstand the full force of the pandemic.
“I know there have been many difficulties of people stuck away from home but you have persisted in this fights. I bow to you,” he says.
Your efforts exemplify what is meant by the phrase “We the People of India” in our Constitution, Mr. Modi says invoking B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary.
“This is true homage to the framer of the Constitution Babhasaheb Ambedkar. I on behalf of all bow to him on his birth anniversary, as we take on the lessons of his life of prevailing despite hardship,” he says.
He also reminds it is the New Year for several people. “In many states today also marks the beginning of the new year,” he says. The way people are maintaining discipline and celebrating these festivals with simplicity is something to be inspired by and appreciated, he adds.
Today, the situation with regard to this pandemic is familiar to all, Mr. Modi says highlighting the nation’s efforts to combat the pandemic. He recalls how India started screening people returning from abroad even before the disease was detected in the country.
We declared lockdown when there were as many as 550 cases, he says. “We did not procrastinate but tried to address crisis as and when they did.”
It may not be correct to compare our efforts with other nations, but India is better positioned than many developed nations, he says. In several countries, the fatality rate and the number of cases is much higher than India, Mr. Modi says.
We managed to contain the epidemic by effectively following social distancing and lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says. Yes, we have paid a big price due to lockdown, but this nothing in front of the lives of the Indian citizens, Mr. Modi says.
Despite all these efforts, coronavirus is spreading at an astonishing rate, Mr. Modi notes.
We had lengthy discussion with states and experts. While several states have already extended the lockdown, the nationwide lockdown will be extended till May 3, Mr. Modi says.
“Till May 3rd we must remain under lockdown and observe the same discipline,” Mr. Modi says.
My request to all countrymen is that we must prevent the spread of Coronavirus to any place, Mr. Modi says. The number of hotspots should not be allowed to increase at any cost, the Prime Minister says.
“We must now dilineate hotspots and observe diseases surveillance. The creation of new hotspots will be challenging to our efforts. In the next week therefore, the fight against Corona will be stricter,” Mr. Modi says.
Till April 20 every district, thana and state will be minutely observed and a continuous assessment made on the efforts made and success of efforts, he explains.