On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation at 8 pm about the next steps for India during the COVID-19 pandemic. This address comes after his meeting with State Chief Ministers where the country’s lockdown exit strategy was discussed. In his third speech, PM Modi talked about India’s ability to turn this crisis into an opportunity. After stressing upon the importance of new reforms and the need to support local economies, he announced an Economic Package of 20 lakh Crore and Lockdown 4.0.
Here are all the key highlights from PM Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on May 12, 2020:
The PM started his speech by saying that we are at war with coronavirus. The country doesn’t just have to stay safe from the virus but also forge ahead. It has been told that the 21st century will belong to India. But currently, excelling in this century isn’t just our dream but also our responsibility.
The Prime Minister recalled days when India had no PPE kits when the COVID-19 pandemic started and N95 masks were unheard of. Today India is making 2 lakh PPE and N95 masks on a daily basis. India has changed the crisis into opportunity.
He spent some time talking about India’s self-sufficiency. PM Modi believes that when the nation becomes self-reliant, it doesn’t just think of itself. The world is one big family and will benefit from India. “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) is the way forward and our progress is the world’s progress. He also made a mention of how medicines manufactured in the country will be a new hope.
Recalling the country’s technology experts’ role in aiding the world during the Y2K crisis, he said that we have the necessary resources and talent to make the best products, increase quality and strengthen the supply chain. PM Modi then talked about the 5 pillars of self-reliance – Economy (the economy is capable of not just change but a quantum jump into development), Infrastructure (an important aspect of a modern nation), Our System (a tech-driven system of the future), Demography (the biggest democracy and its vibrant demography is our strength), Demand (demand and supply cycle needs to be used and every stakeholder should be involved)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 20 lakh crore Economic Package. Government directives, RBI’s decisions and this package form 10% of India’s GDP. The PM is confident that the economy can become self-sufficient with this financial support. With “20 lakh crore 2020’s India” will become self-sufficient. The package is for the labourers, the middles class and honest taxpayers.
He then spoke of reforms that are necessary for averting a crisis and that the reforms from six years ago have helped make the country more efficient. Now, these reforms must be expanded so that India can be a major contributor to the global supply chain. He talked about the migrants and labourers benefiting from the reforms. The PM also talked about boosting local economies by purchasing local products. India should be “local ke liye vocal”.
PM Narendra Modi announced Lockdown 4.0. The fourth phase of the lockdown will have a new form and new rules. Information based on inputs from states will be announced before 18 May. The Finance Minister will announce details of the Economic Package starting Wednesday (May 13).
Currently, citizens will have to await directives for financial matter from the Financial Minister and lockdown extension dates from the State CMs. It is clear that every state will have a unique response to the COVID-19 crisis and hence, a different exit strategy.
