Srinagar 16 January (KNS): Speaking at SKIMS at the e-launch of the COVID Vaccination Drive by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Mayor Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu on Saturday said this was a moment of pride for the entire country that two indigenous vaccines had been developed in India.
The e-launch event at SKIMS Soura was presided over by Advisor to Hon’ble LG, Shri R. R. Bhatnagar and attended by DC Srinagar Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, Director SKIMS Dr. Ahanger, Principal GMC Dr. Samia Rashid besides senior officers, heads of departments, doctors and members of the medical faculty.
As per the statement issued to news agency-kashmir news service(KNS), “This is a moment of pride and a very important milestone in the country’s spirited and inspiring fight against COVID-19. Based on the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision, India has embarked on the biggest vaccination drive in the history of human civilization. This is a historic day and it is an appropriate occasion to pay a tribute to those frontline workers who sacrificed their lives in the battle against COVID”, Mayor Srinagar Junaid Mattu said during his address at SKIMS Soura.
The Mayor congratulated all the researchers and scientists who worked diligently and relentlessly to create India’s indigenous vaccines and said this was a day to salute our doctors and frontline health workers.
Reiterating that people should not fall for any propaganda or negative distortion about the vaccination, Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu said the vaccines had been duly approved by the competent authorities after all relevant checks and balances were cleared. “People should not fall prey to misinformation or propaganda and have utmost faith in the institutions and systems that have validated these vaccines. These vaccines are the result of months of painstaking research and hard-work by some of the brightest minds in the country”, the Mayor added.
Urging the people to continue adhering the COVID guidelines while the vaccination drive has commenced, Mayor Srinagar Junaid Mattu said this was our most important contribution to make such initiatives successful. “I will keep urging everyone to wear masks and adhere to physical distancing norms and all COVID guidelines so that the vaccination drive is a success and we are able to finally win our battle against COVID. Please don’t stop wearing masks and take every advisory seriously. All such steps are for the welfare of the general public”, the Mayor said.
Saying SMC will continue playing a prominent role in Srinagar’s battle against COVID, Mayor Junaid Mattu said the Corporation had gone above and beyond the call of duty in battling COVID and would continue to lead from the front. “SMC has played a pivotal role to protect Srinagar and I want to assure the people of Srinagar that we will continue to lead from the front and lead by example. We will do everything possible to tide over this challenge”, Junaid Mattu further added.
Mayor Srinagar said our doctors and allied health workers deserve immense respect and admiration for their sacrifices and daunting service in the face of this pandemic. He urged the attendees to reach out to the general public and disseminate authentic information about the COVID vaccination drive to make it smooth and effective (KNS).