PM Modi to address the nation at 6 pm today

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 6:00 pm today evening, October 20.
• Today is the first day that the number of new COVID-19 cases in India has dipped below 50,000.
• No further details of the on the address are available as of now.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that he will be addressing the country at 6:00 pm today evening.


The number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India have fallen below 50,000 for the first time in three months as on October 20. The percentage of active cases has also fallen below 10% of the total tally, according to India's Ministry of Health. Overall, in the last 30 days, the growth rate of infections has more than halved.

75% of new confirmed cases have been observed in 10 states and union territories. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala combined contribute more than 5,000 to the count.

Meanwhile, at the inaugural function of the Grand Challenges Annual Meeting 2020, Modi announced that every citizen in the country will be provided with a digital health ID that will be used to ensure immunization against COVID -19.

“With India’s experience and research talent, we will be at the centre of global health care efforts. We want to help other nations, enhance their capacities, in these sectors,” he said.

When he initially disclosed his plans for a digital health ID back in August, Modi detailed that it would help collect the details of diseases, diagnosis, reports, medication and other specifics on a common database.

“It has taken a global pandemic to make us realise, yet again, the importance of teamwork. After all, disease does not have geographical boundaries and does not discriminate on the grounds of faith, race, gender, or color,” said Modi.

There are no further details on the address for now.


(developing story)