India traversing on path to victory against COVID-19: Modi in open letter to citizens

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the first anniversary of his second term on Saturday by writing an open letter to citizens, asserting that India has started traversing on the path to “victory” in its long battle against Covid-19 while acknowledging “tremendous suffering” of migrant workers among others.

In normal circumstances, he would have been in people’s midst but the present conditions, a reference to the nationwide lockdown due to coronavirus, do not permit that, he said, explaining the reason for his writing the letter. Modi also shared an audio message on his Twitter handle on Saturday, in which he read out the contents of the letter in Hindi.

Modi and his Cabinet had taken oath on this day last year.

Due to the pandemic, this is certainly a time of crisis, the prime minister said, adding that this was also a time for a firm resolve for Indians.

“We must always remember that the present and future of 130 crore [1.3 billion] will never be dictated by an adversity,” he said. “We will decide our present and our future. We will move ahead on the path of progress and victory will be ours.” Modi said his government had taken “historic” decisions and the nation progressed rapidly in the last one year, even as he acknowledged that there was a lot that needed to be done, and many challenges and problems faced the country. “I am working day and night. There could be deficiencies in me, but there is nothing that our country lacks,” Modi said. “I believe in you, your strength and your abilities even more than I believe in myself.”

He said India has surprised the world with its unity and resolve in the fight against the coronavirus, and there is a firm belief that it will also set an example in economic revival.

Talking of the people’s sufferings, he said in a crisis of this magnitude, it can certainly not be claimed that no one suffered any inconvenience or discomfort. “Our labourers, migrant workers, artisans and craftsmen in small scale industries, hawkers and such fellow countrymen have undergone tremendous suffering. We are working in a united and determined way to alleviate their troubles,” he said. Modi asked people to take care to ensure that the inconveniences that they are facing do not turn into disasters. It is very important for every Indian to follow all rules and guidelines, he said, adding that people have displayed patience so far and should continue to do so. “This is one of the important reasons for India being safer and in a better state than many other countries. This is a long battle but we have started traversing on the path of victory, and victory is our collective resolve,” he said.