New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is set to launch a nationwide campaign on 21 June to raise awareness about Covid-19 vaccinations and tackle hesitancy around it.
Called ‘Jaan Hai To Jahaan Hai’, the campaign will involve religious leaders such Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, and Dr Mufti Mukarram Ahmad, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid in Delhi, to help address vaccine concerns and urge more people to get inoculated.
In a statement Saturday, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Some vested interests are trying to spread rumours and apprehensions regarding Corona vaccines in some areas of the country. Such elements are enemies of the health and well-being of the people.
“The two “Made in India” Corona vaccines are the result of the hard work of our scientists and it has been proved scientifically that these vaccines are absolutely safe and effective weapon in the fight against Corona,” he added.
While the campaign will be launched from Rampur district in Uttar Pradesh, it will be carried out in different parts of the country as well.
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Religious leaders, NGOs to spread awareness
The awareness drive will work in consonance with prominent leaders in the fields of social work, education, culture, medicine and science to urge people to get vaccinated.
Besides Bukhari and Ahmad, other religious leaders like Jain Guru Acharya Lokesh Muni, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, Director of UNESCO Parzor and Jiyo Parsi Dr Shernaz Cama along with various Christian and Buddhist leaders will also be a part of the campaign.
“State Haj Committees, Waqf Boards, their associated organisations, Central Waqf Council, Maulana Azad Education Foundation, various social and educational institutions, NGOs, Women Self Help Groups, working under “Nai Roshni” scheme of the Minority Affairs Ministry, will be part of the awareness campaign “Jaan Hai To Jahaan Hai”. These organisations will also encourage and persuade the people to get vaccinated to tackle the Corona pandemic,” the ministry statement read.
Street plays will also be organised across the country to raise awareness about Covid vaccines.
“The Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is running the world’s largest Corona vaccination drive in India. Crores of people have been vaccinated so far in the country. India is far ahead in Corona vaccination in comparison to those nations who already had better resources and facilities,” said Naqvi.
“Government and the society have worked united to defeat Corona with the commitment, determination and self-restraint and the country is coming out of the crisis.”
In the past 24 hours, India recorded less than 60,000 new Covid cases after 81 days, bringing the total tally of cases to 2,98,81,965. Meanwhile, 1,576 people succumbed to the virus — the lowest in 63 days.
So far, a total of 27,66,93,572 Covid vaccine doses have been administered.
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