A day after interacting with the chief ministers of states on the exit strategy of the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation at 8.00 pm today, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has stated.
Sources in the government indicated that the prime minister is likely to speak on issues related to the lockdown and the economy.
Scroll down for LIVE updates from PM Modi's address:
PM Modi has concluded his address to the nation.
I understand that we are in the middle of a crisis, but we cannot let our life revolve around it. We have to fight it by strictly following guidelines. We have to work towards making our country self-reliant.
After talking to all the states, we have decided that there will be a lockdown extension, but it will be different from the previous lockdowns. We will inform you about the new lockdown, lockdown 4.0, before May 18.
My appeal to all the citizens is to go 'vocal for local'. I request people to buy and endorse local products. We have done this before also with Khadi, and it worked very well.
Our friends on the streets, street hawkers, daily wage workers, migrant labourers, fisherman, etc. It is time for us to do our bit for them, The stimulus has special provisions for them.
The crisis has made the nation realise the importance of these people in the local supply chain. Time has taught us that we have to realise the importance of local traders, craftsmen, and brand
Only when the people of a country realise and promote local products, only then they are accepted as global brands.
Self reliance leads to preparedness during the time of a crisis, being a part of the gloabl supply chain.
I am announcing an economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore, which is almost 10 percent of India's GDP, to help India become a self-relaint nation.
This economic package will focus on areas like land, labour, liquidity andlaw
Five pillars that India will stand on to become self-reliant – Economy, Infrastructure, Systems, Demography and Demand
We have the resources as well as the resources. We will make out technologies more innovative, our supply chain more efficient.
India's culture has always stressed on Vasudev Kutumbakam or world as a family.
India's definition of self reliance takes into account the needs of a globalized world. India wants self reliance but is also working towards global prosperity.
India has fought TB, Polio successfully. We have set an example for the world.
We will use this crisis as an opportunity to become self sustainable. For instance before the outbreak stuck India, our country was not producing PPE kits. But now, we are producing more than twolakh PPEs in India.
