Dalai Lama expresses confidence in steps being taken by PM Modi in containing COVID-19
DHARAMSALA, 26 March: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed his support for Himachal’s efforts to control the growing threat of the coronavirus and further stated that steps being taken by India will be effective in containing the spread of the virus.
The Dalai Lama has written a missive addressed to Himachal’s Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to express his support for him in his efforts to control the growing threat of the corona-virus.
“Since Himachal Pradesh has been my home for almost 60 years, I naturally feel an affinity for its people. Therefore, as a token of respect and sympathy, I am making a donation from the Gaden Phodrang Trust of the Dalai Lama to the Chief Minister’s Fund in order to contribute to providing essential supplies like food and medicine for the poor and needy members of the community,” the Dalai Lama has said.
In the wake of “growing threat of coronavirus”, section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC) was imposed in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district for a month from 15th March till 15th April after two people tested positive for coronavirus.
On 23 March, a Tibetan man who had returned from the US has died in Kangra, registering the first casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic that originated from Wuhan, China.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced the lockdown of the entire state in the Assembly on the same day.
After Himachal’s first coronavirus death, McLeodganj was placed under total lockdown. Since then, there were no reports of new positive cases in Himachal.
The Tibetan spiritual leader has further expressed his confidence in the missive “that the steps being taken by the Central Government, under the Honourable Prime Minister’s firm leadership, will be effective in containing the spread of the virus.”
India’s Prime Minister announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown from midnight on Tuesday to break the cycle of Coronavirus infection in the largest democracy in the world.
According to worldometers.com, there are 491,120 COVID-19 cases across the world which have resulted in 22,165 deaths while 118,059 of those infected have recovered.
India Today reported that Coronavirus cases in India have crossed the 650-mark on Thursday and recorded four more deaths, taking the toll to 17.
