Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on Tuesday for the fifth time since the nationwide lockdown due to deadly coronavirus has been imposed. His address comes after a six-hour-long meeting with the state Chief Ministers regarding the fate of the lockdown 3.0 which is scheduled to end on May 17.

The first lockdown was imposed for 21 days on March 25 after which it extended till May 3 for another 19 days. It has been extended for another two weeks till May 17.

Both the lockdowns were announced by the Prime Minister himself through an address to the nation while for the decision of the third extension, he was unavailable.

“I am of the firm view that the measures needed in the first phase of lockdown were not needed during the second phase and similarly the measures needed in the third phase are not needed in the fourth,” the Prime Minister said, according to a statement released after the meeting with the states chief ministers.

Many states are in favour of resuming economic activity outside containment zones. According to an official statement, the chief ministers in their suggestions on reviving the economy have sought support to micro, small and medium enterprises, infrastructure projects such as power, easing of interest rates on loans and assured market access to agricultural produce.

The video conference with the chief ministers focused on ways to strengthen the COVID-19 containment strategy and stepping up of economic activities in a calibrated manner post the 54-day shutdown.

PM Modi has asked the chief ministers to share by May 15 a broad strategy on how they want to deal with lockdown regime in their states.

Information on lockdown 4.0 before May 18

“Based on the suggestions by states, information related to lockdown 4 will be given to you before May 18. We will fight Corona and we will move forward.”

Lockdown 4 will be in a new form with new rules

“Scientists say that coronavirus will be a part of our lives for a very long time. But we can’t let our lives remain confined around Corona.”

“We will wear masks and maintain social distancing but we will not let it affect us. So Lockdown 4 will be in a new form with new rules”

We must make ‘local’ the mantra of our lives

“Time has taught us that we must make ‘local’ the mantra of our lives. Global brands that are there today were once local too but when people there started supporting them they became global. That is why from today, every Indian must become vocal for our local.”

Special economic package

PM announces a special economic package.

“This will play an important role in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’. The announcements made by the govt over COVID, decisions of RBI & today’s package totals to Rs 20 Lakh Crores. This is 10% of India’s GDP,” says PM Modi.

Five pillars for a self-reliant India

PM Modi lists five pillars for a self-reliant India

1)Economy

2)Infrastructure

3)Tech-driven System

4)Vibrant Demography

5) Demand

India’s medicines today bring a new hope

“In a world that is fighting life and death, India’s medicines today bring a new hope. With these steps, when India is being praised everywhere in the world, every Indian feels proud.”

“When India speaks of self-reliance, it does not advocate for a self-centered system. In India’s self-reliance there is a concern for the whole world’s happiness, cooperation & peace.”

“We had never seen or heard about such a crisis ever before. This is definitely unimaginable for mankind. This was unprecedented,” he said.

“When the crisis started then not even a single PPE kit was manufactured in India, only a few N95 masks were available. Today 2 Lakh PPE kits and 2 Lakh N95 masks are manufactured in India daily,” PM asserted.

Today’s situation of the world teaches us the lesson of self dependence: PM Modi

It has been more than four months since the world has been in the grip of coronavirus, says PM Modi.

PM Modi Live

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