NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, APRIL 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the current lockdown will be extended till May 3, saying it is very necessary to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country here on Tuesday.
Address to the nation. https://t.co/26sVP2br5n
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2020
In his 21.50 minute address to the people over television, the Prime Minister said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in coming days to ensure that the virus does not spread to new areas.
Detailed guidelines on implementation of the extended lockdown will be announced on Wednesday, Modi said. Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 in places where there is no hotspot, he said.
அனைவருக்கும், குறிப்பாக என் தமிழ்ச் சகோதரர் சகோதரிகளுக்கும் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துகள். இன்பம் நிறைந்த ஆண்டாக இது அமைந்திடப் பிரார்த்திக்கிறேன்.எதிர்வரும் ஆண்டில் உங்கள் விழைவுகள் யாவும் நிறைவேறிடட்டும்.
Puthandu wishes to all. Praying for a year full of joy and wonderful health.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2020
He said India has managed to contain the spread of infection well due to its holistic approach in dealing with the crisis and sacrifices made by people of the country in the fight produced positive results.
Modi said India received huge benefits from the 21-day lockdown in checking the pandemic and added that the country has dealt with the situation better with limited resources. The lockdown that came into effect on March 25 was to expire on midnight of April 14.
എല്ലാവർക്കും ആഹ്ളാദപൂർണമായ വിഷു ആശംസകൾ! പുതുവർഷം പുതിയ പ്രതീക്ഷയും ഊർജവും പ്രദാനംചെയ്യുന്നു. എല്ലാവർക്കും ക്ഷേമവും സൗഖ്യവും ഉണ്ടാവട്ടെ.
Happy Vishu to everyone! A new year brings new hope and new energy. May the coming year bring good health and well-being in everyone’s lives.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2020
The drastic measure shone the spotlight on the miseries of lakhs of migrant workers whose journeys on foot from several urban centres to their villages hundreds of kilometres away grabbed headlines for many days last month.
Greetings to people across India on the various festivals being marked. May these festivals deepen the spirit of brotherhood in India. May they also bring joy and good health. May we get more strength to collectively fight the menace of COVID-19 in the times to come.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2020
The catastrophic effect of the lockdown on the overall economy and livelihoods of lakhs of migrant workers triggered severe concerns following which a number of Chief Ministers in their video conference with Modi on Saturday sought some kind of relaxation for a number of sectors.
The union government had announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package immediately after the lockdown was annunced last month, aimed at providing relief to those hit hard by the lockdown as well as an insurance cover for frontline healthcare professionals handling virus infected people.
Prior to this announcement few states including Tamil Nadu, Telangan, Punjab and Odisha had extended the lockdown till April 30.
Prime Minister also extended his Tamil New Year, Vishu and other festivals celebrated in various states through twitter. He preferred to extend his wishes in the mother tounge of the people.
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekarrao had strongly advocated to extend the lockdown to contain the pandemic and announced on the evening of the Chief Minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister.
Andhra Padesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote an eight point letter to the Prime Minister ahead of Modi’s address to the nation on Monday night.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami too had extended the lockown till April 30 on Monday amidst accusations of principal opposition party DMK and the Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan.
