I have taken vaccine, so has my mother; don’t believe rumours: PM Modi

He counselled them not to believe rumours about the vaccine, and to also persuade their neighbours to participate in the country’s ongoing inoculation drive against Covid-19.

“I’ve myself been vaccinated with both doses,” Modi told Rajesh Hiraawe of Dulariya gram panchayat, according to the official English transcript of his interaction.

“And my mother is close to a hundred years of age…she too has taken both doses!” the PM said.

“If someone says corona is gone, do not be under this mistaken notion,” the Prime Minister said. The virus is a “master of disguise” that can take new forms, he said, referring to its mutants.

काम की बात सिर्फ़ एक- वैक्सीन की कमी ख़त्म करो!

बाक़ी सब ध्यान भटकाने के बहाने हैं।#MannKiBaat

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 27, 2021

“To protect ourselves from it (the virus), we have two ways. One is adhering to the protocol for corona; wearing a mask, frequently washing hands with soap, maintaining social distancing. The other way is, along with all this, getting vaccinated,” he said.

“Those who are spreading rumours on vaccines, let them do so… We all will do our work and ensure people around us get vaccinated. The threat of Covid remains and we have to focus on vaccination as well as follow Covid-19 protocols.”

Modi also highlighted the union government’s efforts to ramp up the vaccination drive. He hailed the administering of over 86 lakh doses in a single day on June 21, the first day of the new phase of vaccination in which the Centre is procuring 75 per cent of vaccine stocks for distribution to states.

Modi began his address by congratulating sportspersons who will be representing India at the Tokyo Olympics, and paying tribute to Milkha Singh, who recently lost the battle to Covid-19.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of water conservation, and described it as a service to the nation. He urged citizens to focus on rainwater harvesting this monsoon.