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No infrastructure could withstand the crisis of 2nd wave of Covid: President
In his Independence Day eve address, President Ram Nath Kovind congratulated India's covid warriors and Olympic stars.
In his address to the nation on the eve of India's 75th Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind said when the country is still battling with the coronavirus pandemic and urged everyone to get vaccinated. Expressing grief over the loss of lives during the second wave of the pandemic, the President said it pains him, but the solace is that more lives were saved than lost thanks to the relentless efforts of the healthcare staff and the government. “When India got freedom 75 years ago, many sceptical people thought democracy won't survive in India. little did they know that India has remained the nurturing ground for democracy since time immemorial and continues to remain so,” the President said marking the beginning of the celebration of the 75th Independence Day.
This year's Independence day is significant as India is beginning the celebration of the 75 years of its freedom, the President said paying homage to all freedom fighters and remembering the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi. The President said that Gandhi taught us that it is better to move in the right direction, taking small steps, instead of taking giant strides in the wrong direction.
Celebrating India's unprecedented feat in the Olympics, the President said, "Our sportspersons have brought laurels with their stellar performances. Our daughters have achieved world-class achievement in playgrounds fighting many adversities. I urge all parents to raise their daughters like this."
“The intensity of the pandemic has come down. But we are yet to come out of the devastative effects of the pandemic… I am deeply sad that many people lost their lives during the second wave of the pandemic, but we have been able to save more lives,” the President said, acknowledging the contribution of the healthcare staff, the vaccine scientists.
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Lauding the government's steps taken to cushion the impact of Covid in the economy, the President said adequate measures have been taken for small and middle-scale businesses. The leadership rose to the challenge and no infrastructure, even if that of advanced economies, could withstand the crisis the second wave posed, the President said.
The speech was broadcast on All India Radio and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan-- first in Hindi and then in English. All India Radio will broadcast the speech in regional languages at 9.30pm on its respective regional networks.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the nation on the eve of Independence day. "On this momentous occasion, let us also remember that the progress and wellbeing of our nation impinge on delivering the benefits of development and ensuring dignity of life to each and every individual in our country. This is the foundational belief behind our civilizational value of ‘share and care’. We must work together to achieve the noble constitutional ideal of securing for all our citizens - justice, liberty, equality and fraternity," the vice president said in his message.
PM Modi's Independence Day speech: When and where to watch
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said August 14, from now on, will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. "Partition’s pains can never be forgotten. Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence. In memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people, 14th August will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day," PM Modi said.
PM Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Sunday after hoisting the National Flag. The Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, which PM Modi had launched from Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad in March 2021 will continue till August 15, 2023.
