Mass production of COVID-19 vaccine to begin in India once scientists give nod: PM Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said mass production of vaccine for COVID-19 will begin in India once scientists give their nod, and a roadmap was ready to ensure it reaches everyone in the country in the shortest possible time.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on India's 74th Independence Day, Modi said three vaccine candidates are in different stages of trials in the country, adding the talent of our scientists is like that of 'rishi munis'.
He said whenever there is talk of COVID-19, the question that comes to everyone's mind is that when will a vaccine be ready.
"I want to tell people, the talent of our scientists is like that of 'rishi munis' and they are working very hard in laboratories. Three vaccines are in various stages of testing. When scientists will give us the green signal, there will be production on a mass scale and all preparations have been made for it," Modi said.
A roadmap has been prepared to ensure that the vaccine reaches everyone in the country in the shortest possible time with mass production, he said. Three vaccine candidates are in different stages of human clinical trials in India.
The phase-1 and 2 human clinical trials of two of them, developed indigenously by Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR), and Zydus Cadila Ltd, are currently underway.
The Serum Institute of India has been permitted to conduct Phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of the third vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University. The Pune-based institute has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the vaccine.
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Confident of winning Guwahati by over 5 lakh vote margin: Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati (PTI): As BJP candidate for the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency Bijuli Kalita Medhi filed her nomination on Friday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma exuded confidence that the party will retain the seat with a margin of over 5 lakh votes.
"The enthusiasm of the people here today shows the support for BJP and our candidate. It is a big encouragement for us," Sarma said, addressing a gathering before Medhi filed her papers.
The CM, who is a voter here and also represents Jalukbari Assembly segment of Guwahati, said, "This support shows that we will win here by a margin of over 5 lakh votes. As it is, we are already winning all the five seats where elections are taking place today."
Sarma maintained that the support was for Narendra Modi and to make him the prime minister for the third successive term..
"We want to take Assam forward, Modi ji is trying to make Bharat the 'Vishwa guru' and we will present these things during campaigning," he added.
Medhi, who is a vice-president of the state BJP and former president of the party's women wing in the state, also sounded confident of winning the seat.
"The public has come to support me. With the blessings of the people, I am confident of winning in Guwahati," she said, after submitting her nomination accompanied by senior party leaders later.
Elections are due in Guwahati in the third phase on May 7.
