Page 36 - NIS English, December 16-31,2022
P. 36

Cover Story   2022: Year of Willpower


              INDIGENOUS VACCINE


              A SYMBOL OF                                           219.86


              AATMANIRBHAR                                          Crore vaccinations doses have been given

                                                                    and there are 6,402 active cases in the
              BHARAT                                                country till 21 October 2022.




              When a pandemic like Covid struck India, we did
              not even know how to fight it. Our infrastructure
              was not even ready. But under the proactive and
              visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra
              Modi, India assisted in research, development
              and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines under
              the 'Make-in-India' and 'Make-for-world' strategy.


                 In April 2020, a task force was formed for
                 the vaccine. Also, Rs 35,000 crore was
                 earmarked in the budget for the research
                 and development of the vaccine. The fight
                 against Covid was strengthened by creating
                 the PM Cares Fund.
                 In just 8 months, not only did India
                 developed two vaccines, but the world's
                 largest vaccination campaign was
                 started from January 16, 2021, by making
                 a complete outline for their storage,
                 transportation, cold chain storage.
                 By running campaigns like 'Har Ghar
                 Dastak' and 'Sabko Vaccine, Free Vaccine',
                 India not only made the vaccine available
                 to the maximum number of people, but also
                 fought a devastating pandemic like Covid
                 with the strategy of 'Test, Track and Treat'.
                 Also, India provided the Covid vaccines to
                 other countries as well.
                 After the start of the vaccination campaign,
                 it took almost 9 months to reach the figure
                 of 100 crore and another 9 months to
                 reach 200 crore vaccinations. The highest
                 one-day vaccination record was registered           It is no longer necessary to wear a mask
                 on 17 September 2021 when 2.5 crore                 during air travel in India. The Ministry of
                 vaccines were administered in a single day.
                 The Central Government, on July 15, 2022,          Civil Aviation has abolished its necessity.
                 launched a 75-day 'Covid Vaccination                However, the ministry has advised that
                 Amrit Mahotsav' to provide free of                       passengers should use masks.
                 cost preventive doses to all eligible
                 adult population at Government Covid
                 vaccination centres.


              34  New India Samachar    December 16-31, 2022
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