COVID Not Over Yet, Lowering Guard Would be Unwise Now, Says President Kovind in His Address to Nation

All India Radio will broadcast regional language versions at 2130 hrs on its respective regional networks.

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind addressed the nation on the eve of 75th Independence Day on Saturday,  and said it is a festival of freedom for all Indians. In his address to the nation, President Kovind said the dream of freedom was realized through the struggle of many generations of known and unknown freedom fighters. He also bowed in respect to the pious memory of those brave martyrs.

“Independence Day is a festival of freedom for us. Our dream of freedom was realized through the struggle of many generations of known and unknown freedom fighters. They made great sacrifices. I bow in respect to the pious memory of those brave martyrs,” President Kovind said.

President Kovind said that while cases had reduced, the fight against Covid-19 was not over yet. “Our Covid strategy has helped save many lives,” he said, adding that the pandemic had adversely impacted the nation’s economic situation, but that the setback was temporary.

President Kovind urged everyone to get their vaccine shots and not drop their guards in following Covid-appropriate behaviour. “Although the intensity of the epidemic has reduced, the impact of the corona-virus is not over yet. Taking all risks, the second wave of corona is being contained with the efforts of our doctors, nurses, health workers, administrators and other corona warriors,” he said.

President Kovind also wished Happy Independence Day to all Indians living in India and abroad and said this day is a day of great joy and happiness for all Indians.

“This year’s Independence Day has special significance because from this year onwards, we all are celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence on the occasion of 75th anniversary of our independence,” he added.

Now as we look back to the 75-year journey of our republic, we've reasons to be proud of the considerable distance we have travelled. Gandhi ji taught us that slow and steady steps in the right direction are preferable to rapid strides in the wrong direction: President Kovind pic.twitter.com/DaOu4ZmHRN

— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2021

The president’s address was made Live from 7 PM on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version. The broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan is also followed by broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan, a communique from Rashtrapati Bhawan said. AIR will broadcast regional language versions at 2130 hrs on its respective regional networks, it added.

(With inputs from agencies)