1

A self-reliant As the country tackles the spread of COVID-19, Prime Minister has advocated a push towards making India self-reliant through a series of measures and economic relief packages.

By Vinayak Surya Swami

s the country tackles the spread of COVID-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated a Apush towards making India self- reliant through a series of measures and economic relief packages. With the advent of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, a new world economic order is emerging and nations are just coming to terms with it. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has been quick in Narendra Modi this realisation and has accordingly altered existing policies and Prime Minister of India President of India introduced several multi-sectoral initiatives to further the vision is intended to be a two pronged demography’; and ‘demand’, which of a thriving economy for India. approach. The first step will be the will utilise our requirement and Reaffirming his belief, in a recent undertaking of interim measures supply chain to full capacity. address, he said, “Howsoever big the such as liquidity infusion and direct PM Modi delivering the inaugural crisis might be, India is determined cash transfers to migrant workers address at the 125th Annual Session to turn it into an opportunity.” He and daily-wage earners. The second of Confederation of Indian Industries facet would be long-term reforms (CII) through video conference, in MAHATMA GANDHI NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE then called upon the nation for its support in this regard by making in growth-critical sectors that will on June 2. FATHER OF THE NATION India “Aatma Nirbhar” or Self make them globally competitive and Reliant. PM Modi also announced aractive. STARTING RIGHT a relief package of INR 20 Trillion According to the Prime Minis- PM Modi’s vision of a capable, (equivalent to 10 per cent of India’s ter’s vision, a self-reliant India will efficient and self-reliant nation, GDP) that will steer the country stand on five pillars: ‘economy’, has quickly been realised and Message of H.E. Sibi George onto the path of rapid development that introduces quantum jump; ‘in- introduced as the Aatmanirbhar and growth, and create a robust frastructure’ intune with the new Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative. Ambassador of India to local supply chain. India, a ‘system’ based on 21st cen- India’s plan for self-reliance tury technology; India’s ‘vibrant Continued on Page 2 On the Occasion of the 72nd Republic Day of India

n the happy and joyous occasion of the ever not only as a nation but as a human race due 72nd Republic Day, I convey my Warm to the evolving Covid 19 pandemic. OGreetings and Best Wishes to all my fel- I thank the leadership and the Government of low Indians in the State of Kuwait. At the outset, the friendly State of Kuwait for taking care of the I would like to express my sincere gratitude to large Indian Community in Kuwait during the Covid the leadership, the Government and the people 19 pandemic. I also thank our dear doctors, nurses of the State of Kuwait, for their steadfast com- and other medical personnel in Kuwait who worked mitment and support to strengthening the al- day in and day out to save lives. I thank the many ready close and friendly relations between India community members and various associations who and Kuwait. I also convey my deep appreciation individually and in coordination with Indian Com- to all the friends and well-wishers of India in munity Support Group (ICSG) took several steps Kuwait for their immense con- to help our brothers and sisters tributions in further enhanc- in need during the most difficult ing the bilateral relations and days of the pandemic. The cri- transforming it into a vibrant sis is still not over. We should ever growing partnership of spread the message to people mutual convergence. not to panic and to remain calm The Gulf is a very important and confident. region for us. It is part of our At this critical hour, our na- extended neighborhood. With tion’s true character of resil- the State of Kuwait we have a ience has come to the fore in historic relationship which can the face of the adversity. We, be traced back to several cen- Indians, should be proud of the turies. Geographic proximity, fact that we not only managed historical trade links, cultural to face the epidemic with great affinities, people to people con- fortitude but we did this stay- nect and growing cooperation ing true to our Constitutional in key areas of mutual inter- H.E. Sibi George spirit of fraternity and our age est continue to strengthen and old philosophy of Vasudaiva Ambassador of India to Kuwait broaden our partnership. At Kutumbakam, where we always the root of our friendly ties are see the world as one big family. civilizational connect and vibrant people-to-peo- An “all country” decisive and prompt approach ple linkages which have expanded and deepened led by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Nar- with the passage of time. is endra Modi has helped India in addressing the committed to further strengthen and expand this challenges posed by the pandemic. We have one multifaceted relationship, which has over the years of the lowest fatality rates and the highest recov- evolved as a Long Standing Dynamic Partnership. ery rates in the world; the daily fresh COVID-19 Today we celebrate the Republic Day of In- infections are firmly on a declining trend; yet we dia. It was on this day, the 26th day of Janu- continue to remain vigilant until this battle is deci- ary in 1950, India experienced one of its finest sively won by us. moments in history. A day when a young, inde- During these testing times, India was the first pendent nation became a Republic, which today responder to calls of help and assistance from stands as a beacon of hope to the entire world. other countries. We sent medicines and medical On this day, the people of this nation gave unto supplies to over 150 countries in the world. Our themselves the most prized possession of all, a medical professionals travelled all over the world Constitution. The Constitution, which is based to augment and support healthcare infrastruc- on our civilizational values and ethos, gifted to tures of other countries. Whilst we organized its future generations a ‘Sovereign, Socialist, the world’s largest ever repatriation exercise Secular, Democratic, Republic’ which secures - Vande Bharat Mission - successfully bringing to all its citizens JUSTICE social, economic and home more than 4.5 million Indians stranded in political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, be- different parts of the world including from the lief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and State of Kuwait; we also assisted in repatriation of opportunity; and to promote among them all; of foreign nationals from India. And now, when FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the indi- most parts of the world await vaccine against this vidual and the unity and integrity of the nation. deadly pandemic, India has once again risen to Today, it is an eternal source of guidance and the occasion and by producing vaccines not only inspiration for the 1.3 billion people of India. for itself but for the rest of the world, it has dis- This year we celebrate the 72nd Republic Day; played extraordinary commitment to this idea of it is not just another year or a number in mere sta- universal brotherhood which once again echoes tistical terms, it is an important milestone in our from our values finding its clearest expression in continuous process of nation building and societal our Constitution. We are now well and truly the advancement. This year particularly is an impor- “Pharmacy of the World”. tant one as we face one of our toughest challenges Continued on Page 4