New Delhi, March 29, 2020: Addressing the 63rd edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for the forgiveness of all countrymen, and especially the poor, for the nationwide lockdown in the country in the view of the novel coronavirus.
"I seek forgiveness from all countrymen, and my conscience tells me that you will definitely forgive me as I had to take certain decisions which have put you in a lot of difficulties, especially when I look at my poor brothers and sisters, I definitely feel that that they must be thinking, what kind of Prime Minister is this who has placed us in this difficulty. I especially seek their forgiveness," Modi said.
The Prime Minister, in his first 'Mann ki Baat' since the lockdown came into force, further said that he understood that many people would be "possibly angry at me for being locked in their homes."
"I understand your troubles, but there was no other way to wage a war against corona for a country like India with 1.3 billion population. It is a battle of life and death and we have to win it and, therefore, such strong measures were absolutely necessary," Modi said.
The Prime Minister further said that "nobody likes to take such strong measures, but after looking at the situation all over the world it seems this is the only option to keep you and your family protected."
During his address to the nation on March 24, the Prime Minister had announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
'Take inspiration from frontline soldiers': PM Modi hails medical staff
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed frontline soldiers, including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, who are battling against the COVID-19 pandemic and said that all should take inspiration from them.
Thanking the "foot soldiers" fighting the battle against coronavirus from the frontlines during his Mann Ki Baat address, the Prime Minister said: "There are many soldiers who are fighting coronavirus, not from their homes but from outside their homes. These are our front line soldiers, especially our brothers and sisters on duty as nurses, doctors and paramedical staff." "We have to take inspiration from our frontline soldiers, our nurses and doctors who are battling coronavirus," he said.
Recalling touching words of Acharya Charak referring to doctors, Prime Minister said: "Today when I witness the sacrifice, perseverance and dedication of our doctors, the words by Acharya Charak are very much visible in doctor's lives today."
Quoting Charak Modi said: "The best doctor is one who serves the patient with benevolence and not for money and selfish desire."
He also stressed that battle against coronavirus is a tough one and required harsh decisions to keep India safe.
It was the first Mann Ki Baat after the 21-day nationwide lockdown was imposed in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.
Battle against COVID-19 required harsh decisions to keep India safe
The battle against coronavirus is a tough one and it required harsh decisions to keep India safe, said Modi.
"The battle against COVID-19 is a tough one and it did require such harsh decisions. It is important to keep the people of India safe. A disease must be dealt with at the very beginning as delay makes it incurable," said Prime Minister Modi. He said that as the coronavirus has put the entire world in lockdown, so "India is doing the same."
"It is a challenge before everyone, science and knowledge, poor and rich, powerful and weak. It is neither restricted to a nation nor region or particular weather. This virus is bent upon killing human beings, eliminating them. Hence all of us, the entire humanity, must unite and resolve to eliminate it," he added.
People breaking law playing with their lives, says PM Modi
Modi urged people to follow the rules of the nationwide lockdown, stating that 'people breaking the law are playing with their lives'.
"Some people think they are obeying the rules of the lockdown by helping others. However, it is not good to harbour such misconceptions. This lockdown if for your own protection, where you should ensure the safety of yourself and your family. In the coming days, you have to keep patience and practice restraint," said Modi in his first 'Mann ki Baat' post the lockdown. He further said that a few people who are breaking the law are not understanding the gravity of the situation, and if they continue to do so, it would be very difficult to recover.
"Across the world, several people have harboured this misconception, and they are regretting it now," he added.
He further said: "There is a saying - 'health is the source of all pleasures in the world'. Those who are breaking the law, are playing a risky game with their lives. There are many warriors, who are battling the coronavirus from their homes, we should take inspiration from them."