I-Day speech: India stands by kin of dead infants in UP hospital tragedy, says PM
New Delhi: Moved by the loss of 72 innocent lives at a Gorakhpur hospital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday broke his silence and condemned the incident.
Addressing the nation on the 71st Independence Day, Modi, in the middle of the third minute of his 57-minute long speech said, the country has faced a major loss and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure safety to the countrymen.
Modi said sympathies of the entire nation were with the families, who lost their children at a state-run hospital in
Uttar Pradesh, and asserted that the Centre would leave no stone unturned to extend help to them.
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Nearly 72 children, including infants, have died at Baba Raghav Das Medical College Hospital, last week. Many of these deaths were alleged to have been caused by shortage of oxygen, a claim dismissed by the state government.
Speaking about the floods, the Prime Minister said natural calamities posed a huge challenge but assured that the government would extend all help to the people in their time of distress with utmost 'sensitivity'.
"Sometimes, natural calamities become a very big challenge. Good rains contribute hugely to the prosperity of a
nation. But due to climate change, sometimes, these natural calamities bring distress.
"A few days back, in many parts of the country, natural disasters took place. A few days back, at a hospital, our innocent children died. In this entire time of distress and sadness, sympathies of 125 crore people of the country are
with them," he said.
"I assure my countrymen, during this time of distress, with utmost sensitivity, for the betterment and security of
people, we will leave no stone unturned to extend help," Modi said.
Modi started his fourth Independence Day speech by remembering the loss of lives by jawans, who are at war footing, ensuring safety to countrymen.
Modi said India is capable of tackling any kind of security challenge, be it the sea or borders.
Without naming China or Doklam standoff, the Prime Minister said the country's security is a priority for his government and that the soldiers are deployed to protect the borders effectively.
"It is clear that security of our country is our priority. Internal security is our priority. Be it sea or borders, be it cyber or space, India is capable of tackling every security challenge," PM said.
"Our Army, our bravehearts, every personnel in uniform and not only the Army, Navy, the IAF, have shown their capability and grit whenever there was a situation. Our heroes never shied away from sacrifices," he said.
The Prime Minister added that, "Be it Left-wing extremism, terrorism, be it infiltration or be it tackling the forces trying to foment trouble inside, our people in uniform have always given sacrifices."
