Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 26 urged Indians to continue following COVID-19 related protocol and ensure high levels of vaccination against the disease ahead of the festival season. In his monthly radio broadcast, ‘Mann ki Baat’ Mr. Modi said that while record levels of vaccination were taking place in India, effort should not flag and that no one should be left out of the ‘circle of safety’ of vaccination. The broadcast had been recorded before the Prime Minister’s trip to the United States, a fact shared by him.
“Team India is creating several records daily on this front. Several records have been created in the vaccination drive which are being discussed globally,” he said, adding, “we not only have to get the vaccine administered when it's our turn, but we also have to ensure that no one is left out of this circle of safety.”
Even after getting vaccinated, the necessary protocol had to be followed, Mr. Modi said, adding that he hoped once again that Team India would keep the flag flying high in this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He made special reference to the festival of Dusshera, and the festival season as well. “The whole country is also going to celebrate the festival of victory over untruth by Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram. But during this festival we have to remember about one more fight — that is the fight against Corona. Every Indian has an important role in this fight,” he said.
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A large part of Mr. Modi’s address was reserved for World Rivers Day, and called for collective efforts to keep rivers pollution-free. Apart from India’s traditional reverence for rivers he mentioned the Namami Gangey project for the cleaning of the Ganga and the e-auction of gifts given to him, the proceeds of which will accrue to the Namami Gangey project. He also called for making record business of Khadi products on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2, as also the continuation of the Swachch Bharat Mission, for cleanliness in public spaces.