India's Covid vaccination drive faster than any country: PM Modi

New Delhi: Today as India's Covid inoculation drive completes 15 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the programme is "faster than anywhere in the world and that India in its vaccination drive process has left the US as well as the UK far behind in the exercise.

As the beginning of this year marks the completion of our almost one year of battle against coronavirus, the PM mentioned that India's fight against the pandemic became an example to all. He also added that this vaccination programme too is turning out to be an example for the world.

"Today, India is undertaking the world's biggest Covid vaccine programme. Do you know what's a matter of more pride? Along with the biggest vaccine programme, we are vaccinating our citizens faster than anywhere in the world," Modi said while addressing the country in his first 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme of this year.

"In just 15 days, India has vaccinated over 30 lakh Corona Warriors, whereas an advanced country such as US took 18 days to get the same done; Britain 36 days,"he said.

The Prime Minister further reminded how the Made-in-India vaccine is a symbol of the country's self-reliance and a symbol of her self-pride.

Citing the appreciations received on the vaccination drive, Modi said that many Indians have sent written messages on 'NamoApp' remarking how the vaccine has generated a new self-confidence in them.

"These days," he said, "I too receive similar messages for India from Presidents and Prime Ministers of different countries."

He also added how the President of Brazil has thanked India in a tweet.

The prime minister further lauded India's efforts in providing the Serum Institute of India's Covishield vaccine and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin to a number of foreign countries, including the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

"In this vaccination programme, you must have noticed something more. During the moment of crisis, India is able to serve the world today since it is capable, self-reliant in the field of medicines and vaccines. The same thought underpins the Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign. The more India is capable, the more will she serve humanity; correspondingly, the world will benefit more."

India launched its vaccination drive against Covid-19 on January 16 and aims to first inoculate three crore health and frontline workers. While so far only healthcare workers were getting inoculated, now frontline workers will also start getting the doses from the first week of February.

(with minor edits from IANS)