Whole world believes India has successfully defeated COVID-19, looking at us with pride, says Narendra Modi in address to nation

A day after India achieved the ‘ big 100 ’ – administering one billion COVID-19 vaccines to its citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and hailed India’s inoculation drive, saying this achievement belongs to every individual in the country. “I congratulate every citizen for this feat.” Also read COVID-19 vaccination drive shows world the power of Team India , says Narendra Modi He congratulated all Indians for the major milestone achieved on Thursday. “This is not just a number, it is a beginning of a new chapter, a new India,” said Prime Minister Modi. He said that India’s COVID-19 programme is a benchmark. Speaking of vaccine production, he said that initially India would usually import vaccines from other countries. Also read ‘ Should've been an acknowledgement of loss ’: Opposition reacts to Modi’s address on 100 crore COVID-19 jabs “It was questioned if India will be able to survive this pandemic… will there be vaccination? Are there enough funds? BUT this 100 crore mark has answered all questions,” he stated categorically. In his address, he also called out those who had raised doubts about India’s capabilities. Missed Narendra Modi’s address to the nation? Catch it here He said proudly in his speech: “The whole world is looking at India with pride - Now world believes that India has successfully defeated COVID-19.” Modi also said that India’s vaccination programme was a prime example of the country steering away from the ‘VIP culture. “We ensured that VIP culture does not overshadow our vaccination program and everyone is treated equally.” The prime minister also raised the issue of his plan of banging thalis and lighting diyas. He said, “Many people mocked the ‘Tali thali, diya jalao’ but common man participated and fought COVID-19 unitedly.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address also stated that India’s vaccine campaign is a living example of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas’. The prime minister also hailed the role of science and scientists in our innoculation drive, saying that the vaccine programme was “science-born, science-driven and science-based. From development of vaccines to inoculation, science has been the base for all processes”. He also reiterated that India’s vaccine programme was a prime example of ‘Made in India’ and that we should continue being ‘Vocal for Local’. The prime minister also raised the issue of Made in India and said that should insist on buying every little thing in ‘Made in India’ and this would be possible only with the efforts of every Indian. In his national address, he also raised the issue of India’s economy, saying, “Experts in India and abroad are very positive about India’s economy. Today, not only record investment is coming to Indian companies but new employment opportunities are also being created for the youth.” He also said that as India preps for Diwali, we shouldn’t drop our guard and if we continued to follow COVID-19 protocols, including mask wearing “we would very soon defeat the pandemic.” Also read ‘A success of India and the success of every countryman ’: 10 best quotes from PM Modi’s address to nation He concluded by saying, “We don’t have to be careless”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier in an opinion piece for the Indian Express had written that India’s vaccination drive was a “ journey from anxiety to assurance ” and that has made the country emerge stronger, and credited its success to people’s trust in the vaccines despite various efforts to create mistrust and panic. To celebrate the 100-crore milestone, the prime minister had also changed his profile image on Twitter, which now says, ‘India – 100 Crore Covid-19 Vaccines Administered’. With inputs from agencies