OLD GOA
Stating that the Covid pandemic can be controlled only through vaccination, State BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade exhorted all eligible persons to come forward and take the vaccine.
Tanavade was speaking to the media at the vaccination centre for ‘Tika Utsav’ at Kadamba Tourist Home on Sunday.
“We can control the pandemic only through vaccination and all those eligible should come forward to take the vaccine,” Tanavade informed while also stating that Covid can be defeated only through a combined effort.
Tanavade further lauded Goa Forward president Vijai Sardessai and MGP president Sudin Dhavalikar for creating awareness on the vaccination drive.
Tanavade further congratulated St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes for taking the lead in the drive and also lauded the efforts of the St Cruz BJP Mandal members for their wholehearted efforts.
“I am seeing the maximum crowd in Merces centre for the ‘Tika Utsav’. Dr Jude, his staff and our BJP workers have been able to create awareness among the people on the vaccination drive. In the last few days, I have witnessed how our workers are working tirelessly to make this drive a success as if it is their family function.
“In Goa, ever since vaccination drive started on January 16, 1,36,000 people took the first dose of vaccine. However, of these only 30,000 took the second dose,” Tanavade stated while expressing concern that not too many people are coming forward for the vaccine.
“I took my first dose of vaccine at GMC eight days ago, but the average number of people expected for vaccination was low. This is a good initiative by PM Narendra Modi of ‘Tika Utsav’ in which he exhorted the people to celebrate it as their festival like any other festival,” he said.
St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes said that the government is always there to support the people in defeating the pandemic but the people should also extend their cooperation.
“From the feedback that I have got from the people, they say they are afraid to take the vaccine. However, I have spoken to Chimbel PHC medical officer Dr Jude D’Souza and his team and also to Dr Shekar Salkar and his team about the vaccine. They have clearly stated that after taking the vaccine, the persons are protected from Covid. Hence I am requesting everybody, who is eligible, to take the vaccine. If there is any doubt about the vaccine, our doctors are available for consultations,” Fernandes stated.
“I am also sending a clear message to the people that vaccination is the only option to save oneself from Covid. Requesting with folded hands to all my constituents as well as all Goans to please take the vaccine without any fear because ‘jo dar gaya vo mar gaya’,” he concluded.
St Cruz BJP mandal president Pramod Kamat expressed happiness over the good response for the ‘Tika Utsav’ and hoped that at the end of the day, the number of people taking vaccine should cross 600.
State BJP vice-president Anil Hoble praised the church authorities for making announcements asking the people to take the vaccine, due to which a large number of people turned up for the drive.
