Ensure nobody goes hungry, says Kovind

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 3

President Ram Nath Kovind today expressed concern over the incidents of migrant workers gathering at Anand Vihar and Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin as causing “setback to efforts” in the exemplary courage, discipline and solidarity by the people in the fight against Covid-19.

Extra care for poor

We will have to be extra sensitive towards the needs of the homeless, those unemployed and weaker sections. — Ram Nath Kovind, President

Taking forward the discussions with Governors/Lieutenant-Governors and Administrators of states/UTs here along with Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, the President underscored the need to ensure that no one remained hungry.

At the conference, a sequel to March 27 video conference on the situation arising out of the pandemic, President Kovind also noted with disquiet the incidents of attacks on doctors, health workers and police in some parts of the country. Endorsing PM Narendra Modi’s April 5 appeal, the President cautioned people against letting their guard down and asked them adhere to the practice of social distancing.

Stressing the need to address problems faced by the homeless, unemployed and weaker sections of society, the President said authorities would have to be extra sensitive towards their needs.

He invited other participants to deliberate upon ways and means to ensure nobody remained hungry.

Acknowledging that this was a big challenge, he added he was confident the Governors would contribute to the efforts made at the central and state levels and involve all sections of society. Echoing similar views, the Vice-President laid emphasis on roping in volunteers of the Indian Red Cross Society, social organisations and private sector to mitigate the plight of the poor.