Follow ‘Dharma’ and ‘Kartavya’ of COVID protocol: M. Venkaiah Naidu

The Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu has asked people to remain on alert and follow Covid-19 protocols. He gave this message in the wake of news reports that Omicron cases are rising and the country is heading towards a third wave.

Calling for a sense of urgency in dealing with the new surge in COVID cases and to apply the lessons of the past waves of the pandemic, he said, “We must consider it our ‘Dharma’ and ‘Kartavya’ to follow the COVID protocol at all times – wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing and getting vaccinated, and secure ourselves and our community.”

Naidu also emphasized the need to vaccinate the youngsters under the recently launched vaccination drive and requested parents to do come forward for that. He highlighted the issue of vaccine resistance among a section of people and said that such people should be convinced to come forward for the vaccination.

“Public-minded individuals, social advocacy groups, medical professionals and the government should reach out to as many people as possible and get rid of any vaccine hesitancy that may be stopping India in its collective fight against the pandemic,” Naidu said.

He said this in a recorded inaugural message for the 15th Global Health Summit organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).

Praising the Indian origin medical professionals for “making their mark in every corner of the world” and being the “personification of our nation’s civilisational value of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, Naidu said, “Indian origin physicians have gained a formidable reputation and that several of them occupy the top administrative positions in the country. They are among the most successful ambassadors of India’s value systems.”