Battle against coronavirus to be long, India’s efforts have set example to world: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: India’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic will be a long one, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday while asking people to feel neither tired nor defeated and expressing confidence the country will emerge victorious in its fight.

Addressing BJP workers on the party’s 40th foundation day, Modi also responded to the Opposition’s criticism about his government’s measures against COVID-19, asserting that India’s efforts have set an example for the world and drawn praise from the World Health Organisation and leaders abroad.

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India is among the countries which understood the seriousness of COVID-19 and launched a comprehensive and timely exercise to combat it, he said, adding that the country took one decision after another and worked to implement them on the ground.

Opposition leaders, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, have claimed the central government did not respond in time to the virus. Modi, who stressed on the need for wearing ‘face covers’ outside the house, listed measures like the thermal screening of international passengers, evacuation of Indian nati