In view of the emerging COVID19 crisis in India, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday suggested all the Governors and Lieutenant Governors of the country to make all out efforts to supplement medical relief and food distribution. In a three-hour long video conference, the President said that Medical Universities, Red Cross Society, NGOs working in the field of relief and medical care should be roped in for their vital contribution in this hour of crisis. At least 15 Governors, including Lt. Governors provided valuable suggestions to the President on various key issues. Governor of Kerala Arif Mohammed Khan said that 18,000 doctors of various private institutions, including the ones who have retired are working with the state government to fight COVID-19 pandemic. Laying emphasis on social distancing to keep away the dreaded infection, Arif Mohammed Khan, known for his study on Urdu and Arabic culture, recited a couplet quoting Bashir Badar, “Yun hee besabab na fira karo, Koi sham ghar me raha karo.” Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon informed the President that except Indore the situation in one of the biggest Hindi heartland states is normal. “Indore has some problems…but the government is taking all measures to normalise the situation,” Tandon said, according to official sources.
