Addressing party workers on the 40th anniversary of the BJP’s foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, likened the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to a war. He said India’s efforts to combat the virus has been lauded around the world.
The address took place via a video link on the 14th day of a nationwide lockdown announced by the Prime Minister Modi to control the spread of COVID-19. Mr. Modi lauded the people of the country for the “maturity and discipline” they had shown in maintaining the lockdown in such a vast and diverse population, terming it “unprecedented.”
“We got to see our collective strength on Sunday evening,” he said referring to the countrywide exercise to switching off lights and illuminating diyas and candles for nine minutes.
Mr. Modi also urged BJP workers to follow a five-point agenda, including working to ensure that no poor goes hungry. He asked them to follow the guidelines issued by party president J.P. Nadda.
The BJP has asked its workers to follow a five-point agenda during the times of COVID-19: to feed at least five families, all workers to give up one meal today, deliver at least two face masks to every booth worker of the party, every person to try and get at least 40 donors for PM CARES, and send thank you letters for those in the frontline of the fight against COVID-19.
Mr. Modi asked BJP workers to donate and encourage others to contribute to the PM-CARES fund. “Over and above all, please remember that the one strategy that has worked to contain this disease has been social distancing. I urge all of you to take care of those less fortunate around you but also maintain social distancing and wear masks as a matter of habit,” he said.
