On the occasion of Bharatiya Janata Party's 40th foundationday, PM Narendra Modi on Monday (April 6) addressed party workers, asking them to help those in need and reaffirm the importance of social distancing and enable India to overcome COVID-19. In his address today, the Prime Minister also told the party workers that it will be a long fight against the Coronavirus and asked the people to not get tired or give up. He also asked the workers to ensure that nobody remains hungry during this crisis.

"We mark our party's 40th anniversary when India is battling COVID-19. I appeal to BJP Karyakartas to follow the set of guidelines from our party president JP Nadda-ji, help those in need and reaffirm theimportance of social distancing. Let's make India COVID-19-free," PM Modi said in a series of tweets.

"Whenever BJP has got the opportunity to serve, theparty has focused on good governance and empowering the poor. In line with theparty’s ethos, our Karyakartas have worked hard to bring a positive differencein the lives of many and done great social service. We mark our party’s 40thanniversary when India is battling COVID-19. I appeal to BJP Karyakartas tofollow the set of guidelines from our party president JP Nadda Ji, help thosein need and reaffirm the importance of social distancing. Let’s make IndiaCOVID-19 free," he added.

PM Modi said that India's proactive steps in tackling thepandemic has been praised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). "India's attempts to battle the COVID pandemic has set a new example to the world. India is one of the countries in the world that understood the seriousness of the situation and took timely steps to initiate a war against it. India tookseveral decisions and tried its best to implement them on ground," he said.

The Prime Minister also stated that this will be a long battle against the deadly disease, in a hint towards the extension of the lockdown, and asked the BJP workers to net get tired or be defeated and instead, emerge victorious. "Today the goal of the country is one, the mission is one, and the resolution is one - victory in the fight against Corona epidemic," he said.

Applauding Indians for the unity they demonstrated byresponding to the Prime Minister '9 pm-9minute' appeal, Modi said, "Weexperienced yesterday at 9 pm, the strength of togetherness of 130 crorespeople of our country," said PM Modi. He further praised the citizens ofthe country for their support to the lockdown imposed across India in the wakeof coronavirus threat. The maturity shown by the people during the lockdown, ina large country like India, is unprecedented. No one could have imagined thatthe people will abide by this with such obedience and sense of service."

The Prime Minister continued saying, that the government hasdeveloped an Aarogya Setu app through which one can get information regardingthe infected cases around them. "I request all of you to tell people aboutit, everyone should make sure that at least 40 others install it. They will getinfo through it about possibly infected cases around them. In these toughtimes, we have to ensure this," he added.

The Prime Minister also advised everyone to take necessarypreventive measures and stay protected by adopting the mantra of socialdistancing."Always remember, whenever you go out your face should becovered, I say you should keep your face covered even at your homes. The mantratoday for the whole world is social distancing and discipline," he added.