New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Sarpanches across the country on Friday and exhorted them to strictly follow social distancing norms while hailing villages for the ‘2-gaj ki doori’ mantra.

PM Modi lauded the endeavour and proactive measures undertaken by Baramulla Sarpanch Mohammad Iqbal for containing the spread of Coronavirus in the district.

Mir Mohammad Iqbal, the Block Development Council (BDC) chairman of Narwav in Baramullah told PM Modi about how the entire machinery was deployed in fighting the pandemic.

He also mentioned of two slogans that were widely used in the villages to connect with people and put a collective effort to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘99% population free from pandemic’

He briefed PM Modi about how all the concerned departments like ICDS, PRIs and others were involved in enforcing complete lockdown and to aware masses. Iqbal also told PM Modi that almost 99% of their local population is free from Coronavirus and they have made sure that all the directions from Prime Minister’s office are followed for the good of people and society at large.

The Prime Minister appreciated his ground work and also commended him for proactively taking measures to keep the citizens protected from pandemic.

“The authorities motivated and guided us that how the PRIs can take proactive measures to reduce the spread of this unseen enemy. BDC in collaboration with ASHA workers, ICDS workers and PRI members, after a brief orientation by a team of doctors, started door to door awareness campaigns about preventive measures like social distancing, wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands with soaps and hand sanitisers,” the BDC chief told PM Modi in the interaction via video conference.