India began the ‘Tika Utsav’ (vaccination festival) on Sunday days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for mass vaccination against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) during his meeting with chief ministers of all states as the nation reels under the second wave of infections.
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In a tweet this morning, PM Modi said, "We are going to begin 'Tika Utsav' today nationwide. I urge countrymen to abide by four things - assist those who need help getting inoculated, help people in COVID treatment, wear masks and motivate others and if someone tests positive, create a micro-containment zone in the area."
People from across states were seen queuing outside vaccination centres to get their shots. One Kishan from Chennai told news agency ANI, "Definitely, it is a good festival that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced, I am grateful to him and I took my first dose of vaccine today.”
Several states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar appealed to eligible people to get themselves vaccinated during the duration of the 'Tika Utsav'.
{{/usCountry}}Several states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar appealed to eligible people to get themselves vaccinated during the duration of the 'Tika Utsav'.
{{/usCountry}}Here’s a look at pictures from the first day of the four-day ‘vaccination festival’