With the Union Government under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi completing eight years, DD News is organizing a week-long News Conclave titled ‘आठ साल मोदी सरकार: सपने कितने हुए साकार’ from 3rd to 11th June, 2022. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways & AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal participated on the second day of the conclave on 4th June, 2022.
During his interview, Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal remarked that it is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision that has led to AYUSH gaining trust and acceptability not just in India but also abroad. Further, with the establishment of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, India has taken leadership for development of traditional medicine from all countries. He added that India has always been the ‘Vishwaguru’ of Yoga and that plans are afoot for celebration of International Yoga Day with participation of more than 25 crore people. Referring to Port Modernisation and PM GatiShakti in Shipping and Waterways sector, he said that it was important for India to raise its port competitiveness both in terms of efficiency (TAT) and capacity. He further said that the Union Government was committed to reverse the neglect of North East by previous governments, which had encouraged vested interests to create unrest.
During the discussion on ‘महामारी से रक्षा, सबकी सुरक्षा’, ASHA and ANM workers Poonam Nautiyal, Mina Halowa and Binita Khatowal shared how they had generated awareness and ensured last mile delivery during the COVID pandemic. Padma Shri Dr. Kamlakar Tripathi mentioned that frontline workers like them were the backbone of India’s response to the pandemic and they have been fittingly lauded even at the world stage.
As part of a panel discussion on ‘मेडिकल क्षेत्र मे बढ़ते कदम’, Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMS said that India quickly expanded its capacities whether it be in testing, manufacturing of PPE kits and masks, or indigenous production of vaccines, thereby safeguarding her citizens. Shri Anurag Varshney and Acharya Balakrishan shared how AYUSH also rose to the occasion especially in improving immunity of the people. Dr. Shekhar Mande, Former DG, CSIR said that CSIR and DRDO utilized its existing capabilities to quickly establish hospitals and Oxygen plants with support from the highest levels of the Government. Prashant Tandon, CEO of 1mg remarked that while India has always been the Pharmacy of the World, in the future it could be the Digital Healthcare Hub thanks to healthcare startups and Govt-led NDHM.