New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 123rd edition of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, celebrated a significant public health milestone, announcing that the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared India "Trachoma-free." Highlighting this achievement, PM Modi attributed the success to the tireless efforts of the country's frontline health workers.
"We resolved to eliminate trachoma and I am delighted to share with you that WHO has declared India as Trachoma-free. This is the result of the efforts of millions of people who tirelessly fought this disease without stopping. This success belongs to our health workers." He also acknowledged the crucial role played by national initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Jal Jeevan Mission, which contributed significantly to eliminating the root causes of trachoma.
"The 'Swatch Bharat Abhiyan' also played a major role in its elimination. 'Jal Jeevan Mission' also contributed significantly to this success. Now that clean water is reaching every household through taps, the risk of such diseases has reduced significantly. WHO has also appreciated that India not only dealt with the disease but also addressed its root causes," he said.
On October 8, 2024, the WHO declared that the Government of India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.
Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection that can cause blindness if left untreated. It was once widespread in many regions of India.
He said, "The first achievement is related to our health. Many of you might have heard about an eye disease - Trachoma. This disease spreads through bacteria, and there was a time when this disease was common in many parts of India. If neglected, this disease eventually causes blindness." Meanwhile, during his address, PM Modi also condemned the imposition of the Emergency in the country and termed the period as one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history.
He said that the country is observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas".
He also played a rare archival audio of former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who described the Emergency as a time of constitutional murder, mass arrests, and the suppression of civil liberties and press freedom.
The Prime Minister asserted that every citizen should remember the ones who fought "bravely" against the Emergency and it also inspires us to stay "vigilant" to "safeguard" the constitution.
PM Modi said, "Morarji Desai describes the Emergency in brief... Not only did those who imposed the Emergency murder democracy, but their intention was to keep the judiciary as their puppet... Under 'MISA', anyone was arrested arbitrarily, people were tortured... Indians refused to compromise on democracy. Finally, people won and the Emergency was lifted. Babu Jagjivan Ram powerfully about this." MISA refers to the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, a law used extensively during the Emergency to detain political opponents without trial.
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