GAVE BEFITTING REPLY TO THOSE WHO CAST AN EVIL EYE ON LADAKH, SAYS PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday that India had given a befitting reply to those who cast an evil eye on its territory in Ladakh. He stated that while the country honoured the spirit of friendship, it was also capable of giving an appropriate response to any adversary. Paying tributes to the 20 armymen killed in the violent stand-off with China’s People’s Liberation Army earlier this month, Modi also said that India’s brave soldiers had shown that they will not allow the nation’s pride to be hurt.
rime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday that India had given a befitting reply to those who cast an evil eye on its territory in Ladakh, stating that while the country honoured the spirit of friendship, it was also capable of giving an appropriate response to any adversary.
Paying tributes to the 20 army men killed in the violent stand off with China’s People’s Liberation Army earlier this month, Modi also said that India’s brave soldiers have shown that they will not allow the nation’s pride to be hurt.
The prime minister’s strong words on his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast came amid a standoff between Indian and Chinese armies in eastern Ladakh, with the opposition Congress constantly attacking the central government over the issue.
“Those who cast an evil eye on Indian soil in Ladakh have got a befitting response. India honours the spirit of friendship. It is also capable of giving an appropriate response to any adversary, without shying away,” he said in his address without naming China.
The prime minister also made a vigorous push for the use of locally made products, saying being “vocal for local” is also a way to strengthen the country and to serve it. Modi said India’s aim is to become self-reliant. “We will keep moving ahead abiding by these principles. A self-reliant India would be a tribute to our martyrs in the truest, deepest sense,” he said.
Modi also said that the country will have to focus on defeating coronavirus and bolstering the economy as it exits from the lockdown and enters the ‘unlock’ phase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday underscoring the need to keep guard against the deadly virus.
He also stressed that India has always transformed adversities into stepping stones to success and this year won’t be different.
“During this unlock period, one will have to
focus on two points — defeating coronavirus and strengthening the economy,” Modi said in his radio address.
He said as people move out during the unlock period, they have to remain more vigilant compared to the lockdown period.
His remarks come against the backdrop of rising cases of coronavirus in some parts of the country. “Always remember, if you do not wear a mask, do not observe the two-yard social distancing norms or do not take other precautions, you are putting others at risk besides yourselves, especially the elderly and children at home,” he cautioned.
Referring to the recent decisions taken by his government, Modi said during this unlock phase, “many other things are getting unlocked”, which had shackled the country for decades.