PM address: Twitter abuzz with speculation on Emergency, Dawood, Masood and jokes too
New Delhi: While the nation waited for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation, anxiously counting the minutes before his "important message", speculation spiralled -- would it be about Emergency, bringing back Dawood Ibrahim or killing Masood Azhar?
As the designated hour of 12 noon came and went, jokes on Twitter gathered strength. With memories of that fateful November 2016 evening, when Modi announced the demonetisation of high value currency notes, still fresh, jokes about people running to the ATM and counting cash started doing the rounds.
"I would be addressing the nation at around 11:45 AM - 12.00 noon with an important message. Do watch the address on television, radio or social media," the prime minister tweeted on Wednesday morning, sending Twitteratti into a tizzy.
The address finally started at 12.25 pm, and social media users bombarded Twitter with their theories while they waited.
Among them was former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah who tweeted, "He's declaring the results of the Lok Sabha elections. #JustSaying."
"Dawood arrested brought back? Hafiz Saeed or Masood Azhar eliminated?#PMtoaddressnation," added social media user, Sagar Rai.
Pictures of former prime minister Indira Gandhi addressing the country to announce the imposition of Emergency were also circulating on the microblogging site.
"Have added my CA on the speed dial list #PM to address nation," said Niharika Rana.
"#PMModi ji is going to address the nation today. I am already at the ATM," said a user Amir Pathan.
"Another #Demonetisation? Did they catch Masood Azhar or Dawood? Are we taking over Pakistan? OMG I am #anxious now," Twitter user Gaurish Salunke said.
One Twitter use posted a picture of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan getting his blood pressure checked.
"#PMModi's announcement to address the nation just tested Imran Khan's BP for a while," read the caption.
"Congress has already sent a delegation to Election Commission to complain model code violation, Rahul preparing for Press Conference #PM to address the nation," another user tweeted.
Earlier in the day, the Cabinet Committee on Security met at the prime minister's residence, setting off further speculation.
The prime minister on Wednesday announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space super powers.
"In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come. One such moment is today," he said in an unprecedented broadcast to the nation on television, radio and social media.
Modi will address the nation with an important message any time now.
— Abhishek dutta (@uthale_re_baba) March 27, 2019
I am already queuing up outside the SBI ATM.#Modiji #ModiAnnouncement #Elections2019
Modi ji: "I will be addressing the nation with an important message."
— Akshar (@AksharPathak) March 27, 2019
You (dumbass): *waiting for the announcement*
Me (1000 times smarter): *already walking towards the nearest ATM*
#PMAddressToNation
— avanish (@av_nisHit) March 27, 2019
Waiting for Modi ji to address: pic.twitter.com/WYGcp1BdMj
Phewwww! Its a space thingy. Your money's safe, folks, go back to work ?
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) March 27, 2019
Akshay Kumar is already in the studio, shooting Mission Shakti movie with Rakesh Roshan's Koi Mil Gaya computer.
— Ivan Mehta (@IndianIdle) March 27, 2019
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Maharashtra sets up state vaccination task force to strengthen immunisation programme
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has set up a State Vaccination Task Force to strengthen the regular immunisation programme and review the progress of related campaigns, a health department official said on Monday.
The State Vaccination Task Force will comprise at least 29 members and will be headed by the administrative head of the health department, he informed.
The government has also constituted separate district-level and municipal vaccination task forces to improve implementation and address challenges at the grassroots level, he said.
Municipal task forces, chaired by respective civic commissioners, have been constituted in view of the vast urban population in Maharashtra and the role of civic bodies in implementing different health programmes.
The district-level task forces will function under the chairmanship of collectors.
"Complete immunisation of children at the appropriate age is an extremely simple, cost-effective and highly effective measure to reduce child mortality and the prevalence of diseases among kids. Immunisation is a powerful tool for reducing illness in children," maintained the official.
To ensure full vaccination of all children, the state government implements various campaigns from time to time as per the central government guidelines, he pointed out.
"Active participation and cooperation of other relevant government departments are essential (in making these campaigns successful)," according to the official.
The state-level body will review the regular immunisation programme, associated campaigns and vaccine-preventable diseases in detail. It will also conduct focused assessments of high-risk districts and municipal corporations, including vacancies at district, municipal and sub-district levels, availability of cold chain equipment, resource gaps and training requirements, he noted.
The state task force will review allocation and utilisation of funds for immunisation and ensure timely action by officers concerned based on reports from district and municipal task forces and state-level monitoring mechanisms, the official said.
It will also ensure active coordination and participation of other government departments in immunisation drives, while district and municipal task forces will carry out similar functions at their respective levels, the official added.
