Eve of independence || Under Covid-19

Eve of Independence Day Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic dominated President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day yesterday.The president praised the role of the corona warriors while saying that an “invisible virus has changed our lives”.“The nation is indebted to the doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously at the forefront of our fight against Covid-19. Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic.“They are our national heroes,” said President Kovind.He also praised the government’s role in providing free ration to crores of people during the pandemic, besides lauding the initiative to bring back scores of Indians stuck on foreign shores owing to the Covid-induced lockdown.The president hailed the government’s role in helping thousands of migrants reach their respective hometowns.“By introducing the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana’, the government has enabled millions of people to earn their livelihood, and mitigate the impact of job-loss, dislocation and disruption caused by the pandemic,” said the

president.Kovind began his speech by remembering Mahatma Gandhi. “We are fortunate that Mahatma Gandhi became the guiding light of our freedom movement. His quest for equality and justice is the mantra for our Republic. I am glad to see the younger generations re-discover Gandhi,” he said.Meanwhile, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, yesterday urged all citizens to renew their commitment towards building a united, strong, prosperous, inclusive and peaceful nation. The vice-president urged all to take this pledge while greeting people on the Independence Day.Conveying his good wishes to the people on the joyous occasion, Naidu said: “Today, we celebrate the 74th Independence Day of our country. I pay my tributes to those brave freedom fighters who made countless sacrifices to build an independent nation and to secure a bright future for it.“Let us also remember with gratitude the martyred heroes of our struggle for independence who laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. The most meaningful tribute we can pay to these patriots is to build an India they aspired for.”“On this Independence Day, let us renew our commitment towards building a united, strong, prosperous, inclusive and peaceful nation where a billion plus dreams find expression and fulfilment.”“May this Independence Day bring amity, harmony and prosperity in our country,” Naidu added.The annual Independence Day celebration at New Delhi’s iconic Red Fort is scheduled to take place today amid tight security and with social distancing brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will

unfurl the tricolour and address the nation from the ramparts of the fort, but the large group of schoolchildren who add cheer to the annual event will be missing, Delhi Police and defence ministry officials said yesterday.Invitees to the event – diplomats, officials, members of the government, media and public – are to be seated at a mandatory distance of around two metres from each other and are to undergo thermal screening before entering the venue.