India reported its first case of dreaded Coronavirus on January 30 and the outbreak has grown rapidly since then with the nation fighting hard to keep the virus at bay. Till the end of June more than 870,000 persons were infected in the country of whom nearly 17,000 lost their lives. Prime minister Narendra Modi has since reached out to the countrymen six times, prepping and urging the countrymen to fight on and stay safe each time he addressed the nation.

Starting from the first speech on March 19 to the last on May 31 that dwelt almost exclusively on the threat of the virus, people responded with enthusiasm .

Here are snippets from Modi’s televised addresses on Coronavirus:  

1st speech (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. 

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. 

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 speech (Lockdown announcement) – March 23

In a desperate bid to stave off an epidemic among India’s 1.3 billion people, Modi announced a 21-day lockdown on March 23. The lockdown was in place from March 24 to April 14.

During his address to the nation, Modi made it clear that essentials would be available and that people should not panic. He again stressed on the importance of social distancing and the need for the people to stay at home. “Maintain physical distance with others and stay within the confines of one’s home. There is no other method or way to escape Coronavirus,” Modi said. 

The PM said 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. 

He said that the decisions that the government was taking were based on the advice of the World Health Organization, the country’s top medical and research organisations and top health experts.

3rd speech – April 3

On April 3, PM Modi lauded the people for the way they had reacted to the nation-wide lockdown. He said their discipline had set an example for the rest of the world. The address came a day after Modi held a meeting with the states on how they ended the lockdown in a staggered 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 speech – April 14

With the number of cases on the rise, Modi on April 14, announced that the nationwide lockdown would be extended for 21 more days. The PM said that the decision had been taken after consulting 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. 

The PM also announced that states which had managed to keep the hotspots in check could be allowed to allow some important activities.

5th speech – May 12

With the number of COVID-19 cases rising fast and a crashing economy, PM Modi on May 12th addressed the nation announcing the fourth phase of lockdown with Rs 20 lakh crore economic package to deal with the crisis. He said this package amounts to about 10% of India’s GDP, and 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.” 

6th speech – 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 on 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.