New Delhi: Prime time Thursday was once again spoilt for choice. Discussions ranged from the rising coronavirus cases to marking the one-year anniversary of India’s migrant crisis during coronavirus induced lockdown.
India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai expressed concern over the increase in Covid-19 cases, Zee News’ Sudhir Chaudhary emphasised the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while ABP News pulled off an exclusive interview with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
On the one-year anniversary of India’s migrant crisis brought on by the nationwide lockdown, NDTV 24×7 interviewed actor Sonu Sood who had helped many get home in trying times.
“One year later, people are still trying to get back on their feet, they don’t have jobs. We should remember that on this day last year, many citizens of our country suffered a lot,” commented Sood.
“The last year has taught us that we have to do our bit for society. We have to keep on doing it,” he added.
“If you can help someone, don’t think twice…. The crisis is still not over,” he said.
India Today‘s Rajdeep Sardesai discussed, with leading doctors, the country’s rising coronavirus cases and how India could speed up its vaccine drive.
Dr Devi Shetty, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, said, “I don’t think for a country of our population, one, two entities can manage vaccination production. More people need to be roped in.”
On following safety protocol, Shetty underlined, “We are in a very serious situation, a lockdown doesn’t help us, medically. The only sure shot option we have is vaccination. It may not prevent it but it will prevent serious infection.”
Dr N.K. Arora, National Covid Task Force said, “Very soon, we should get Sputnik-V — in the next couple of weeks. Vaccine shortage isn’t an issue at all, there aren’t enough takers.”
Meanwhile, Times Now featured a special edition on what it called “Ladies who Lead”, featuring Union Minister Smriti Irani, hosted by anchor Navika Kumar.
“Politicians have absolutely no business talking about how people dress, what they eat. Ultimately, our service is that of policy-making and ensuring rule of law,” said Irani, Minister of Women & Child Development, hinting at the Uttarakhand chief minister’s recent remarks on women who wear ripped jeans.
“One of the greatest challenges that I had when I came into politics was not that I was a woman, but because I was from the media and that I was young,” she added.
ABP News’ anchor Suman Dey spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah. He praised Shah’s commitment to campaigning in West Bengal ahead of assembly elections in the state, “You have been coming to West Bengal for at least two to three days every week — you should buy a flat here. (Or), can we say that India’s Home Minister’s house is in Bengal itself?”
“Your opposition won’t be able to call you an outsider anymore,” remarked Suman.
Amit Shah couldn’t stop beaming at this comment. He explained that out of all the state elections happening in the country, BJP was contesting the highest number in West Bengal so he spent more time in the state. “I don’t know what problem Didi has with me coming,” said Shah taking a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, popularly known as `Didi’.
“As far as being an outsider is concerned, my party is a national party, not an area specific party — according to Mamata Didi, are all BJP netas outsiders?” he added.
Shah then had a question for Banerjee — when Pranab Mukherjee became the president of the country, was he an outsider for Madhya Pradesh?
He called this sentiment, “Chhota vichar (small thinking)”.
Zee News’ Sudhir Chaudhary emphasised the relationship between PM Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina ahead of Modi’s visit to Bangladesh Friday. But first he gave a history lesson: “Former PM Indira Gandhi was credited with the birth of Bangladesh.”
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi had a close relationship so there was special relationship between India and Bangladesh, he recalled. Mujibur Rahman served as prime minister of the country from 1971 to 1975 and is remembered as the ‘Father of the Nation’.
“Now the time has changed, India’s prime minister is Narendra Modi and Bangladesh’s PM is Sheikh Hasina, who is the daughter of Mujibur Rahman. Their relationship is also as special as Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi’s relationship,” Chaudhary explained.
He gave evidence to back his claim, “In 2017, Hasina had come to India. At the time, Modi broke his security protocol to personally receive her at the airport. This happens rarely — when a Prime Minister breaks protocol to see another head of state.”