OLD GOA
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) illuminated the St Francis of Assisi Church in Old Goa and 99 other monuments across the country in colours of the national flag on Thursday, to celebrate the landmark achievement of 100 crore Covid vaccinations in the country.
The ASI decided to illuminate the 100 monuments as a mark of respect and gratitude to corona warriors who have contributed relentlessly in the fight against the Covid pandemic, as India achieved the landmark milestone in one of the world’s largest and fastest vaccination drives, stated a PIB report.
Besides the St Francis of Assisi Church in Old Goa, the other monuments being lit up in the tricolour include UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar in Delhi, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh, Konark Temple in Odisha, Mamallapuram Rath temples in Tamil Nadu, Khajuraho, the forts of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan, the excavated ruins of the ancient Nalanda University in Bihar and Dholavira (recently accorded world heritage status) in Gujarat.
The 100 monuments will remain lit in the tricolour on Thursday night, to express gratitude towards corona warriors, vaccinators, sanitation staff, paramedical, auxiliary workers, police personnel etc., who have worked beyond their call of duty to help the country face the pandemic effectively and for their selfless services to the humankind.
Vaccination played an important role in controlling the spread of the virus and halting the third wave and by administrating 100 crore Covid vaccine doses, India becomes the only country along with China to be in the billion-dose club, the report added.
