PM: Self-discipline, collective strength key to beating Covid

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised the role of “collective strength” to defeat the coronavirus and its new Omicron variant. In the last episode of his Mann Ki Baat in 2021 and ahead of the New Year, the PM said while scientists are studying the new variant, the “efforts of citizens” and “self-awareness and self-discipline” are very important in the battle against the virus.
“Our experience of the past two years is that our own effort as a citizen is very important to defeat this global pandemic. Our scientists are continuously studying this new Omicron variant. They are getting new data every day, their suggestions are being worked upon. In such a situation, self-awareness, self-discipline is in itself the country’s strength in fighting against this variant of Corona (virus),” the PM asserted.
“It is this very collective strength of ours that will defeat Corona; with this very sense of responsibility we have to enter into 2022,” he added. The PM also dwelled upon the important role of citizens and community through the pandemic. “It is because of everyone’s effort that India could fight the biggest pandemic in a 100 years.
“We stood by each other like a family in every difficult moment. To help someone in one’s locality or city... Everyone tried to do more than what one could have done,” the PM said.
Modi went on to highlight that crossing the 140-million vaccine doses mark is an achievement of each and every Indian. This, he said, shows the “trust of every Indian in the system; shows trust in science and in scientists; and is also a testament to the willpower of we Indians who are fulfilling our responsibilities towards the society”.

“If we compare the vaccination figures of the world today with those of India, it feels that the country has handled such an unprecedented task... how big a goal has been achieved...,” he added. However, the PM sounded a note of caution asserting that “we also have to keep in mind that a new variant of Corona has already knocked at the door”. He went on to emphasise that besides the scientific interventions, responsible behaviour and and collective strength are critical in the fight ahead.
On Saturday, the PM in an address to the nation also spoke of the emergence of the Omicron variant, its implications. He urged people not to panic while asking them to observe Covid protocols like masks and hand sanitisation.