PM urges people to promote 'Vocal For Local' in festive season

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the success of the COVID vaccination programme displays the capability of India. He said the nation is surging ahead with a new zeal and energy after crossing the 100 crore vaccine doses mark. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio on Sunday,  Modi said the figure of 100 crore vaccine doses might be huge but there are lakhs of inspirational stories behind it. He credited healthcare workers for making India’s Covid vaccination programme a success and crossing the milestone.

He made special mention of the Uttarakhand government and its healthcare workers for inoculating 100% of the adult population with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine despite the challenges due to difficult terrain in the hilly state. PM also cited Manipur’s example where vaccines were delivered via drone to an island and said that Telangana had held trials for vaccine delivery using drones. With the introduction of the new drone policy, the PM said, the foreign and domestic investors have invested in many drone start-ups. “We have to become a leading country in drone technology…Many companies are also setting up manufacturing units. The army, navy and the air force have also placed orders worth more than ₹500 crores with Indian drone companies.”

As the country gears up to celebrate 75 years of independence next year, the PM paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He also remembered iconic tribal leader and freedom fighter Birsa Munda, whose birth anniversary is on November 15. On the occasion of the United Nations Day on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi said India’s women played a big role in enhancing UN’s power and influence. The PM said that women representation in police forces has more than doubled between 2014 and 2020 from 1.05 lakh to 2.15 lakh. He said women were now getting trained as specialised jungle warfare commandos.

The PM, once again, urged people to promote locally manufactured items during the festive season. “If you buy local, then your festival will also be illuminated and the house of a poor brother or sister, an artisan, or a weaver will also lit up. I am sure that the campaign which we all have started together will be stronger this time during the festivals,” said Modi.