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PM Modi announces Rs 20 lakh crore relief, lockdown 4.0 as India's coronavirus tally crosses 70,000
PM Modi said the special economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore is equivalent to almost 10 per cent of India's GDP and it will provide a much-needed boost for making India self-reliant.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a consolidated economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore to help make India self-reliant in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and pitched for promoting local businesses. The PM flagged that the deadly virus may be part of our lives for a long time, as the nationwide tally crossed 70,000.
The death toll also neared 2,300, while over 22,000 people have recovered from the disease so far.
In his address to the nation on Covid-19 crisis, PM Modi also said the fourth phase of the lockdown, beginning May 18, would be totally different with new rules and guidelines that would be announced later after taking into account feedback from all chief ministers.
Meanwhile, West Bengal has already extended the lockdown while giving some relaxations in red, orange and green zones within the state.
On the 49th day of the nationwide lockdown, passenger trains finally left their stations to ferry people across the country. Eight trains, apart from Shramik Specials, reunited thousands of people with their loved ones after a long gap. While, flights and naval ships operating under Vande Bharat Mission brought back over 500 people from the US, the Philippines and Maldives.
PM Modi speech today: Highlights
Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister insisted on making India self-reliant in every way. "Making India self-reliant is the only way to make the 21st century belong to India. India's self-reliance addresses concerns about the world's happiness and peace...We have to turn crisis into opportunity," asserted PM Modi.
The PM added that guidelines related to the fourth phase of lockdown will be announced before May 18. He, however, hinted that lockdown 4.0 will be "totally new, totally different".
PM Modi also urged the countrymen to buy local products and be vocal about it. Giving 'local ke liye vocal banna hai' mantra, the Prime Minister noted that all the global brands were once local only.
Calling the COVID-19 as an unprecedented crisis, the PM asserted that India will neither get tired nor give up in the fight against coronavirus. "A pandemic like this is unprecedented and unimaginable. But we can't stop, lose or get defeated. We must follow all rules, stay safe and move forward," said the PM, adding: "Our resolve has to be bigger than the crisis."
“Humanity will not accept defeat from the pandemic,” the PM said. "The humankind will not deter. We will have to further firm up our resolve, protect ourselves and march forward," he added.
The magnificent building of a self-reliant India will stand on five pillars - economy, infrastructure, governing systems, vibrant democracy and supply chain.
When the crisis started, India did not manufacture even a single PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and only a few N95 masks were available. "Today, two lakh PPE kits and two lakh N95 masks are manufactured in India daily." The country has the ability, sources and world's best talent and can make the best products, said the PM.
The Prime Minister noted that Indian medicines have come out as a ray of hope during these challenging times. "Due to this step, India is being praised across the world and the Indians feel proud. The world has started believing that India can perform much better."
Referring to COVID-19, the PM stated that one virus has turned the world upside down. "All the countries across the world are struggling to save lives," added the PM.
Saying that since experts opine that coronavirus will stay for a longer period, the PM said it is important to fulfil aims.
The PM also expressed his condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19.