Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi
As India builds up stocks of ventilators, critical-care beds and personal protective equipment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked Indian ambassadors in major countries to publicise the newly-established charitable fund PM-CARES Fund to mobilise donations from abroad.
The Prime Minister also asked the Indian envoys to identify innovations, scientific breakthroughs and sources to procure medical equipment in their countries of accreditation.
The attempt to garner resources and money from abroad comes even as experts have warned of too few ventilators, intensive-care beds and personal protective equipment. They have also said India needs much more than the amount especially allocated to strengthen the country’s health care system to combat the epidemic.
Actor Akshay Kumar, the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) and PayTM are among individuals, institutions and corporates that have announced contributions to the fund. Separately, billionaire-philanthropists like Ratan Tata and Azim Premji plan to set aside hefty amounts for the battle against coronavirus, though not through the PM-CARES fund.
The PM’s signal to accept contributions from abroad would immediately open the window for a US grant of over Rs 20 crore to prepare laboratory systems and technical experts for response and preparedness. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also offered to his counterpart S Jaishankar his country’s experience of combating the epidemic as well as diagnostic and other medical equipment.
During the video-conference, the PM complimented the Heads of Missions for their efforts to evacuate Indians stranded abroad in some of the epicentres of the crisis while providing them a five-point to-do list for the coming days. They must first ensure their own health and safety, and that of their teams and families; and then attend to stranded Indians.
They must stay alert to picking up the best practices, innovations, scientific breakthroughs and sources to procure medical equipment.
Since this crisis also impacts upon the economy, the Heads of Mission must also focus on ensuring that commerce in essential supplies, logistics chains and remittances are unaffected. The envoys were also asked to pay close attention to the evolving international political and economic situation, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, 10 Heads of Mission in Beijing, Washington DC, Tehran, Rome, Berlin, Kathmandu, Abu Dhabi, Kabul, Male and Seoul offered their perspectives to the PM and the rest of the audience.
The Prime Minister said India had taken early steps in response to this pandemic from mid-January this year to reduce the risk of importing the infection, and thereafter to prevent a large outbreak. This included the world’s largest quarantine and lock-down.
