India has recorded over 4 lakh new COVID-19 infections in the last ten days, signalling a second wave of the pandemic. The number of daily cases has been on a steady rise since last week. Maharashtra has been the worst-hit and the caseload in the state has crossed the 25 lakh-mark.

India’s total active caseload has reached 345,377, which now comprises 2,9% of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 95.67%.

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Since the first infection was reported on January 30, Prime minister Narendra Modi has reached out to the countrymen seven times, prepping and urging the countrymen to fight on and stay safe.

Here are snippets from Modi’s addresses to the nation on Coronavirus:

1st (Janta curfew) – March 19, 2020

Before announcing the initial 21-day lockdown, several states took steps including closure of schools, universities, shopping malls and restricted air travel to control the spread of the virus.

On March 19, 2020, PM Modi spoke publicly on the COVID-19 virus for the first time. In a televised address, PM Modi appealed to the citizens to avoid panic buying. “We need to follow two important things to fight this pandemic — resolve and restraint,” Modi said.

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The PM also announced a day-long Janta curfew, which was held on March 22. During this curfew, citizens were asked not to leave their homes and treat it like a blackout during wartime.

“During this curfew, we shall neither leave our homes, nor get onto the streets or roam about our localities. Only those associated with emergency and essential services will leave home,” the PM said.

Modi termed the curfew as a litmus test for India and said that this was a time to see how prepared India was to fight off a global pandemic like the coronavirus.

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The PM also urged everyone to come out into their balconies for five minutes on the evening of the curfew and clap or clang vessels to show their appreciation to those involved in emergency services.

2nd (Lockdown announcement) – March 23, 2020

With the number of COVID cases rising rapidly, Modi took a drastic measure and announced a 21-day lockdown starting March 25. The lockdown was to stay in place till April 14.

During his address, PM Modi stressed on the importance of staying at home and social distancing. He said that there was no other way to beat coronavirus. He also made it clear that despite the stringent lockdown, measures had been taken to ensure that essentials would be available.

The measures to slow down the spread had been taken on the advice of World Health Organization and the country’s top medical, the PM said.

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Modi added that the nation will certainly have to pay an economic cost because of this lockdown, but made it clear that the priority was to save every Indian’s life.

3rd address (April 3)

After a week of the first lockdown, Modi again addressed the nation and applauded people for their co-operation. He said that the discipline displayed by Indians had set an example for the world. Ahead of his address, the PM held a meeting with the states on how to end the lockdown in a phased manner.

To display the nation’s collective efforts to defeat coronavirus, PM Modi urged people to switch off lights of their homes at 9 pm for nine minutes on April 5 and light up lamps, candles, mobile flashlights.

4th address (April 14)

With the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise, Modi on April 14 announced an extension of the nationwide lockdown for 21 more days. The PM said that the government’s decision was based on advice from the state governments and experts. When the PM made his address to the nation, the number of coronavirus cases in India had crossed the 10,000 mark.

In relief to many, Modi also announced that some important activities would be allowed in states that had managed to keep the hotspots in check.

5th address (May 12)

When PM Modi addressed the nation on May 12, India was dealing with two crises – rising COVID cases and a crashing economy. Not only did the PM announce the fourth phase of lockdown, he even announced an economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore. He said this package, which is about 10% of India’s GDP, will play an important role in “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan”.

PM Modi said that novel coronavirus will stay around long and we can’t let our lives remain confined around it. The Prime Minister, in his fifth address, which came a day after his six-hour-long meeting chief ministers of several states, emphasised the need of self-reliance for the people and the nation saying, “this era of self-reliance will be our new pledge, we have to move on with new resolve.”

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6th address (May 31)

In his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat Narendra Modi said that the country is trying to return to normalcy amidst the coronavirus outbreak. However, he emphasised that the people should be extra cautious especially since flights have resumed and industry is trying to switch to the normal mode. “Whether it is the mandatory two yards distancing, wearing face masks or staying at home to the best extent possible, there should be no laxity our part in complete adherence,” he said.

Modi also said that numerous women’s self-help groups are stepping forward to make thousands of masks every day to help in the fight of the coronavirus.

7th address (Jan 16)

On the day of the nationwide launch of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, Modi turned emotional recalling people’s sufferings during the pandemic, death of healthcare workers while serving the infected and noted that many of those who died could not be given the traditional last rites.

“A family often comes together to nurse its sick member. But coronavirus isolated its victims who suffered in loneliness as their kin could not tend to them due to fear of infection,” the prime minister said in his address before the launch on January 16.