COVID-19 caller tune with Amitabh Bachchan’s voice replaced with new one, focuses on vaccine

Authorities on Saturday released a new vaccine-focussed caller tune as India rolled out the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive, reports PTI. The new caller tune replaces the voice of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan with a woman’s.

The new caller tune seeks to spread awareness about the COVID-19 inoculation drive and dispel rumours.

“Naya saal Covid-19 ki vaccine ke roop main nayi aasha ki kiran lekar aaya hai (The new year has brought a new ray of hope in the form of vaccines against Covid-19),” the voice says in the new tune.

With several questions being raised over the efficacy of Covaxin, one of the two vaccines being used in India, the tune is aimed at reiterating that the jabs are safe. Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech, hasn’t yet undergone the third phase trials.

“Bharat main bani vaccine surakshit aur prabhavi hai. Covid ke viruddh humey pratirodhak shamta deti hai (Vaccines developed in India are safe and effective. They will provide immunity against COVID-19),” the tune says.

“Bhartiya vaccine par bharosa Karen. Apni baari aane par vaccine zarur lagwayein. Afawaon par bharosa na kare (Have trust in the vaccines made in India and do get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Do not believe in rumours),” it adds.

In the first phase, India plans to vaccinate three crore people. This would include frontline and health workers, defence personnel, and those at high-risk.