Centre responded to Covid-19 pandemic 'well in time', says Ram Nath Kovind in address on I-Day eve

While addressing the nation, he said: "The celebration of this year's Independence Day would be restrained. The reason is obvious. The whole world confronts a deadly virus which has disrupted all activities and taken a huge toll. It has altered the world we lived in before the pandemic."

Appreciating the Narendra Modi-led government, he said the Centre took effective steps well in time to 'contain the magnitude of the pandemic.'

"It is very reassuring to note that, the central government, while anticipating the tremendous challenge, responded effectively and well in time. For a country so vast and diverse with high population density, meeting this challenge requires superhuman efforts."

He also appreciated the state government for their efforts in accordance with local circumstances.

"With our committed efforts, we have succeeded in containing the magnitude of the pandemic and saving a large number of live," Kovind said.

He said the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of our fight against this virus.

"Unfortunately, many of them have lost their lives battling the pandemic. They are our national heroes."

"All Corona Warriors deserve high praise. They go much beyond their call of duty to save lives and ensure essential services," the President noted.

He also lauded the Centre's effort in introducing the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana’.

"The government has enabled crores of people to earn their livelihood, and mitigate the impact of job-loss, dislocation and disruption caused by the pandemic," said Kovind.

"The needy are being given free food grains, so that no family goes hungry. The largest free food distribution programme in the world has been extended till the end of November 2020 to provide succour to about 80 crore people every month," he said.

He also made a special mention of all states being brought under the coverage of ‘One Nation - One Ration Card’ scheme.

"Committed to taking care of our people stranded anywhere in the world, the Government has brought back more than 10 lakh Indians under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’," he said.

Hailing PM Modi's self-reliant India pitch, Kovind said: "I believe that in the fight against COVID-19, life and livelihood, both are essential. We have looked at the current crisis as an opportunity to initiate reforms to revitalise the economy for the benefit of all, specially farmers and small entrepreneurs."

"India's self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world. It implies that India will continue to engage with the world economy while maintaining its identity," Kovind said.

"The pandemic, like climate change, has awakened the global community to our shared destiny. In my view, 'human-centric collaboration' is more important than 'economy-centric inclusion', in the present context. The greater this change, the better it will be for the humanity," he added.

He noted that India enjoys a goodwill internationally and that was evident with the support it recived at the elections for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council.

The Indian President took the opporutnity to slam the 'misadventure of the neighbourhood in expansion' referring to the Chinese incursion and the subsequent clash of soldiers from both sides at the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on June 15.

"While the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion," he said.

During the address, he mentioned about the implementation of the National Education Policy, 2020.

"I am confident that with the implementation of this policy, a new quality education system will be developed and this will transform the future challenges into opportunities, paving the way for a New India," he said.

"The ‘National Education Policy’ spells a long term vision with far-reaching impact. It will strengthen the culture of ‘Inclusion’, ‘Innovation’ and ‘Institution’ in the sphere of education," he added.