Open your health centres to poor: PM Narendra Modi to welfare bodies

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked organisations involved in social welfare to play a role in arranging basic necessities for the poor. He also said they can dedicate their medical facilities and volunteers to serve patients and the needy.
Modi held a video-conference with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Jaggi Vasudev, RSS general secretary Suresh (Bhaiyyaji) Joshi, Baba Ramdev and spiritual leaders from the Sikh and Christian communities on Monday.

“The PM said that the nation is facing an unprecedented crisis and needs the service of these organisations and their resources like never before,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said. “He highlighted that the nation needs both short-term measures and a long-term vision to overcome the challenge.”

After the video-conference, Baba Ramdev announced that his Patanjali group will donate Rs 25 crore to the PM-CARES Fund.

The PM said social organisations have a big role to play in countering superstitions, beliefs and misinformation. “He observed that in the name of beliefs, people have been seen gathering in places and flouting social distancing norms, adding that it is necessary to further spread the importance of maintaining social distancing to check the spread of the virus,” the statement added.

Modi stressed on the importance of giving medical and scientific advice and also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s statement that serving the poor and downtrodden is the best way to serve the nation.

“PM observed that these organisations have three distinct specialities: humane approach, massive reach and connect with people, and a service mindset, due to which they are trusted implicitly,” the statement said.

The representatives of social organisations pledged support to the PM CARES Fund, adding that their workforce will be dedicated completely to the cause of serving the nation in this time of crisis.

“They also talked about the work being done currently by them to meet the challenge through awareness campaigns via digital means, distribution of essentials, food packets, sanitisers, medicines and provision of medical help to those in need,” the statement said.