India Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has said that the country would produce COVID-19 vaccines in mass when the country’s scientists announce the right time to do so.
Speaking at the India’s independent Day on Saturday August 15, 2020, at 17th-century Red Fort the Prime Minister said, “Not one, not two, as many as three coronavirus vaccines are being tested in India.”
“Along with mass-production, the roadmap for distribution of vaccine to every single Indian in the least possible time is also ready,” he added.
Modi stated at the event that the government has taken health and economic self-reliance as its topmost priorities while launching the National Digital Health Mission, a national project intended to roll out health identities in the country.
He said that health details such as test, disease, medication and other details would be kept under a health ID.
“Whether it is making a doctor’s appointment, depositing money or running around for documents in the hospital, the mission will help remove all such challenges,” he said.
The Prime Minister further stated that there is need to improve the country’s international influence by increasing its economic strength, cutting down on import and increasing export.
He also disclosed government’s intention to boost small businesses and revive the country’s economic growth.
He said that the government is set to execute about 7000 projects for which 110 trillion rupees ($1.47 trillion) has been earmarked.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the value of the country’s sovereignty as he said that India would not take lightly any attempt by anyone to trample on its supreme sovereignty.
“Anyone who has raised eyes on the sovereignty of the country, the army of the country have responded to them in the same language,” Modi said, indirectly referring to China with which it has involved in repeated border clashes.
