PM Modi invokes Chanakya, Tagore in address to UNGA

PM Modi addressed the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday in New York. The PM invoked acharya Chanakya, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, and Rabindranath Tagore in his speech. PM Modi quoted words of Indian strategist Chanakya, who had said, “When the right action is not taken at the right time, then it is time itself that causes the action to fail.” The prime minister emphasised, “If the UN has to keep itself relevant, it has to improve its effectiveness and increase its reliability.” Modi underlined the need to strengthen the United Nations to protect global order, global laws and global values.

“We have seen such questions being raised, related to the climate crisis and during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. The WHO the UN’s health agency, has faced criticism since the Covid-19 outbreak first surfaced in China in December 2019. WHO faced criticism over mishandling of the pandemic.

Former US President Trump slammed the WHO as a “puppet” of China and accused it of covering up the start of the outbreak and allowing the virus to spread around the entire

India has developed the world’s first DNA vaccine and added that the vaccine can be administered to anyone above the age of 12. An mRNA vaccine is in the final stages of development. Indian scientists are also developing a nasal vaccine against Covid-19.

world. “The proxy war going on in many parts of the world, terrorism and the recent crisis in Afghanistan have highlighted the seriousness of these questions,” the PM said, stating, “With regard to the origin of Covid-19 and the ease of doing business rankings, institutions of global governance have damaged the credibility they had built after decades of hard work. It is essential that we constantly strengthen the UN, in order to safeguard global order, global laws and global values.”

Ending his address. Modi quoted Rabindranath Tagore (in Bengali), “Boldly proceed on the path of good deed and may you overcome all the obstacles in the way.” He said efforts of all is needed to bring peace and prosperity in the world.