PM addresses nation on combating COVID-19

Published By : Admin | March 19, 2020 | 20:01 IST
Exercise restraint by staying at home and not stepping out as much as possible during the Coronavirus pandemic: PM urges citizens
All citizens must follow 'Janta Curfew' on 22nd March, from 7 AM to 9 PM: PM Modi
Keeping in mind economic challenges arising out of Coronavirus pandemic, government has a decided to constitute COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force led by Finance Minister: PM

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nation on combating the challenge of COVID-19. On the occasion of ‘Navratra’, Prime Minister made nine requests to the people.

Prime Minister said that patience and resolve of all Indians  is vital in fighting the global pandemic which has wreaked havoc all over the world. He requested citizens to follow certain measures to ensure the containment of the fast spreading virus. He emphasized on the importance of not taking the pandemic lightly and the need to be aware and proactive towards prevention of COVID-19.

Prime Minister urged citizens to follow the mantra of “when we are healthy, the world is healthy”. He stressed on the importance of following self imposed norms like ‘social distancing’. Requesting citizens to patiently abide by the norm, he urged the need to isolate oneself and come out of the house only if imperative, while trying to work from home and avoid unnecessary travel. He also urged that senior citizens above the age of 60 should not come out of their homes for the coming few weeks. Highlighting the stress on the hospitals, he urged everyone to avoid routine check ups during this time and to extend the date of surgeries scheduled, wherever feasible.

‘Janta Curfew’

Prime Minister urged citizens to follow the concept of  ‘Janta Curfew’ on 22 March, 2020 from 7 AM to 9 PM, wherein no one apart from those involved with essential services is supposed to venture out of home. He said that the success of such a people’s movement and the experiences gained from it will prepare us for the challenges ahead. He added that our efforts on March 22, would be a symbol of our self restraint and determination to perform duty in the national interest.

Urging the state governments to take the lead, Prime Minister asked all youth organizations including NCC and NSS, civil societies to generate awareness among people about the ‘Janta Curfew’. He urged everyone to try to inform at least ten other people over phone about this self imposed curfew.

Thanking the selfless service providers

Prime Minister said that there are many brave people who are in the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic like medical staff, police, government servants, airline staff, media persons, bus/train/auto operators and those involved in providing home delivery. 

To pay respects to their huge service to the nation during such trying times, Prime Minister suggested that on March 22 at 5 PM, all citizens should acknowledge and salute their efforts by standing in the balconies and at the doors of their houses and clap or ring bells for five minutes as a show of appreciation .

He urged the local government across the country to indicate the timing through blaring out a siren at 5 PM.

Meeting the Economic Challenges

To deal with the economic challenges caused by the pandemic, Prime Minister announced the creation of ‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’ under the Union Finance Minister. The Task Force will consult stakeholders, take feedback, on the basis of which decisions will be taken to meet the challenges. The Task Force will also ensure implementation of the decisions taken to meet these challenges. 

Prime Minister also urged the business community and higher income groups to look after the economic needs of those from lower income groups, from whom they take various services, urging them not to cut their salary on the days they are unable to render the services due to inability to come to the workplace. He stressed on the importance of humanity during such times.

He also assured the countrymen that there would not be any shortage of essential items like food, milk, medicines etc. He urged people to not resort to panic buying.

Prime Minister exhorted everyone to work together and contribute fully to overcome the crisis of COVID-19. He urged the citizens not to fall prey to misinformation. Prime Minister said that  during the time of such a global pandemic, it is important to ensure that ‘humanity wins and India wins’. 

 

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శ్రీరామ జన్మభూమి ఆలయ ధ్వజారోహణ ఉత్సవం సందర్భంగా ప్రధానమంత్రి ప్రసంగం

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శ్రీరామ జన్మభూమి ఆలయ ధ్వజారోహణ ఉత్సవం సందర్భంగా ప్రధానమంత్రి ప్రసంగం
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PM to Visit Gujarat and Maharashtra on 8th September
September 07, 2026
PM to Lay Foundation Stones, Inaugurate and Dedicate to the Nation Development Projects Worth More Than ₹35,000 Crore in Vadodara
PM to Dedicate Three Key Sections of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor to the Nation, Marking Completion of the Project
PM to Lay Foundation Stone for three Railway Projects and three Highway Projects
PM to Inaugurate Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai
Theme of GFF 2026: “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum - Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance”

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat and Maharashtra on 8th September 2026. At around 12 noon, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stones, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation various development projects worth more than ₹35,000 crore in Vadodara. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

At around 5:45 PM, Prime Minister will inaugurate Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 in Mumbai and address the gathering as well.

PM in Vadodara

Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation three important sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), covering 326 route kilometres and developed at a cost of more than ₹20,700 crore. These include the New Sanand (N)- New Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale and New Saphale- New JNPT sections.

The direct connectivity of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) will facilitate faster movement of EXIM cargo, strengthen connectivity between industrial centres and ports, reduce logistics costs and help decongest Mumbai’s railway network.

With the commissioning of these sections, the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) network will stand fully operational across its entire length. The dedicated freight infrastructure will further strengthen the country’s logistics ecosystem by improving multimodal connectivity, reducing transit time and facilitating seamless movement of cargo across different regions.

Prime Minister will also flag off freight train services from New Sanand (North), New Makarpura, New Umbergaon and New JNPT, Mumbai. In addition, he will flag off a new passenger train service between Tanda Road and Vadodara (Pratapnagar).

Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the Jobat–Tanda Road new rail line, developed as part of the Chhota Udepur–Dhar project. The new rail line will connect remote and tribal areas of Alirajpur with the national rail network.

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for three railway projects spanning 329 kilometres and costing more than ₹9,700 crore. These include the Vadodara-Ratlam third and fourth lines, Miyagam Karjan-Choranda–Malsar gauge conversion and the Vishwamitri-Dabhoi doubling project. The projects will enhance passenger and freight capacity, ease congestion and strengthen connectivity between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for three National Highway projects costing around ₹1,780 crore. These include six-laning of the Kamrej-Chalthan section of NH-48; construction of additional structures, including major bridges over the Tapi and Narmada, on the Vadodara-Surat section of NH-48; and grade-separated structures at Abhava, Mindhola and Khajod junctions on NH-53.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for and inaugurate various Government of Gujarat projects worth around ₹2,600 crore. Major projects for which the foundation stone will be laid include Vadodara Urban Development Authority Ring Road Phase II and a 110 MW floating solar project at Kadana Dam, construction of new office of Vadodara Municipal Corporation, among others. Projects to be inaugurated include housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and a water-supply project for 11 villages in eastern Vadodara, among others.

PM in Mumbai

Prime Minister will inaugurate Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, one of the world’s largest and most influential annual fintech conferences.

The seventh edition of the Global Fintech Fest is being held from 8th to 11th September 2026 in Mumbai. Since 2020, GFF has emerged as an international thought leadership platform bringing together policymakers, regulators, central banks, financial institutions, fintechs, technology companies, investors, academia and other global stakeholders to deliberate on shaping the future of finance.

The theme of GFF 2026 is “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum - Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance.”

GFF 2026 has been designed as a convergence point for policy, regulation, technology, capital and industry on a common platform. It seeks to build on India’s leadership in digital payments and financial inclusion and move from potential to impact. The discussions will focus on how Agentic AI, programmable finance, quantum technologies and other critical and emerging technologies can create trusted, inclusive and measurable outcomes for citizens, enterprises and economies globally.