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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation on Tuesday evening. PTI photo
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his fifth address to the nation on Tuesday, exhorted people to work to make India self-reliant and also announced a special economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crore in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Prime Minister’s televised address focussed on three aspects – making India self-reliant, strengthening the economy and lockdown 4.0, that is set to start from May 18.
“Making India self-reliant is the only way to ensure that the 21st century belongs to India,” Prime Minister said in his address to the nation.
Self-reliance
He said India’s self-reliance would be founded on the following five pillars – economy, infrastructure, systems, demography and demand.
1. Economy – He said we do not have to make incremental change but have to build an economy that takes quantum jumps.
2. Infrastructure – He said infrastructure should be modern India’s identity.
3. Systems – PM Modi said systems should be based on 21st century dream of technology-driven self-reliance.
4. Demography – India is the world’s biggest democracy and vibrant demography is our strength and a source of energy, PM said.
5. Demand – PM Modi underlined that India needs to use the demand and supply circle to optimum level.
Prime Minister Modi said India had changed a calamity into an opportunity. I informed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, India did not manufacture a single PPE (Personal Protective Equipment kit) and negligible numbers of N95 masks.
“However, now we manufacture 2 lakh PPEs and N95 masks each every day.”
He said this is what is called “Esho pantah” in our ancient scriptures, which means “this is the only way to a self-reliant Bharat”.
Economy
PM Modi announced a special economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore to make India “atmanirbhar” (self-reliant).
He said the economic packages announced during the country’s fight against coronavirus by the RBI along with today’s announcement would add up to Rs 20 lakh crore which is 10 per cent of the country’s GDP.
The PM said that the package, details of which will be announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will also speed up India’s efforts to become self-reliant.
He said the focus of the economy would be on cottage and village industries and the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) sector. PM Modi said that the package was for those who work day and night for the country.
PM Modi said the middle class, which pays tax and contributes to the growth of the country, will also benefit from the economic package. He said the same would be good for the industrial sector.
The Prime Minister also hinted at big economic reforms in the coming days.
The PM further said the global supply chain will play a major role in making India self-reliant.
He also urged people to buy and endorse local products.
“The vendors have sacrificed. This crisis has explained to us the importance of the local market and the local supply chain. Local has fulfilled our demands. Local saved us. Local has to be made our jeewan mantra, ”he said.
“Every indian must become vocal for local. Besides using the local goods, every Indian must also publicize them, ”I added.
I’ve cited the example of khadi promotion which got a major boost as a result of publicity. “Khadi’s demand and sale created a record and khadi became a brand,” he said.
Quoting scientists and experts PM said that the coronavirus is going to stay for a long time. “They say it will become part of our life. We will wear mask, maintain a distance of two gaj (6 feet) but will not accept defeat. ”
Lockdown 4.0
The Prime Minister said the fourth phase of lockdown would be launched in a new form adding that it will be based on the suggestions given by the state governments.
“The details of lockdown 4.0 would be given before May 18. We will fight coronavirus and move ahead,” PM Modi said.
He said one should get happiness in what is under their control. “Self-reliance also empowers us besides giving us happiness… We resolve to make India self-reliant,” I added.
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