PM Modi's 'Statue of Unity' Visit, Gujarat Rallies Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gujarat trip has been cancelled in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Friday. PM Modi was scheduled to visit his home state on March 21. He was also supposed to attend several key programmes and rallies in Gujarat. There was plan of him visiting the ‘Statue of Unity’. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that the PMO informed the state government about the change of plans on Friday. This is the first domestic schedule of PM Modi that has been cancelled due to coronavirus. Earlier, his Brussels trip was also called off in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi on Friday proposed that the leadership of SAARC nations could chalk out a joint strategy to fight coronavirus and set an example for the world. He said the SAARC leadership can discuss via video conferencing ways to keep their citizens healthy. “Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it,” Modi said on Twitter.

South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population, should leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people are healthy, he said. “I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy,” he said.

“Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet,” Modi said. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is A regional intergovernmental organization that comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.