Covid's second wave testing our patience, capacity to bear pain, free vaccination drive will continue: Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the second wave of Covid-19 is testing our patience and capacity to bear the pain.

During the 76th episode of the 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme, the Prime Minister lauded the health workers and doctors for fighting a major battle against the infection.

"I am speaking to you at a time when Covid-19 is testing our patience and capacity to bear pain. Many of our loved ones left us untimely. After successfully tackling the first wave, the nation's morale was high, it was confident but this storm (second wave) has shaken the nation," Modi said.

"To tackle this wave of Covid, I have held meetings with experts from many fields like pharma industry, oxygen production etc," he said.

"Our health workers and doctors are currently fighting a major battle against Covid-19. In the past year, they have had several kinds of experiences about the pandemic," he added.

"Mann ki Baat" is the Prime Minister's monthly radio address to the nation, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month.

Modi urged the states to extend the benefit of the Centre's free vaccine campaign to as many people as possible in their state. Government's free vaccination drive which is currently underway will continue, he said.