Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

Let’s not be complacent, long battle ahead: Modi

Be on guard as curbs are eased, says PM; expresses pain at migrants’ plight

- Smriti Kak Ramachandr­an letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEWDELHI: As India opens up after a 68-day lockdown, imposed to curb the spread of the coronaviru­s disease, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday the battle against the pandemic is a long one, warned against complacenc­y, and reiterated the need for citizens to adhere to social distancing norms, wear masks and wash their hands regularly.

In his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, Modi also said although every section of the society has been affected by the viral pandemic, the pain felt by the poor cannot be measured in words. The PM’s remarks come in the wake of millions of migrant workers making their way back home during the lockdown, and sustained reports of their economic deprivatio­n, hunger and even deaths.

The PM also emphasised the need for economic self-reliance, sensitivit­y to the environmen­t, expressed solidarity with those affected by Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal and Odisha, and placed importance on the power of yoga in building immunity and for good health.

The address was broadcast a day after the Modi government unveiled guidelines for what it termed as Unlock 1.0 — in contrast to consecutiv­e phases of the lockdown which was first been declared on March 25.

The government announced that in the first phase of unlocking India, places of worship, shopping malls, and hotels and restaurant­s can open from June 8; in the next phase, state government­s will consult various stakeholde­rs on the opening of educationa­l institutio­ns; and in the third phase, the government will assess and decide on the opening up of internatio­nal air travel, metro services, cinema halls and other activities.

The new guidelines also remove restrictio­ns on interand intra-state travel.

In his radio address, coming just a day after he completed the first year of his second term in power, PM Modi said India has been able to contain the spread of infection and keep the death toll relatively low, compared to other countries, but cautioned against complacenc­e.

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