Leaders should have led COVID-19 vaccination to encourage people, says veteran scribe PP Singh

GUWAHATI: Veteran Assam journalist Pushp Paul Singh today questioned the delay on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in taking his first COVID-19 vaccine shot.

As the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination started across the country today, Modi took his first dose this morning. Modi took to his social media handle to announce it.

The vaccination drive has started in all of the seven government medical colleges of Assam and private hospitals impaneled under AB-PMJAY.

Singh, who arrived at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here to take a dose of the same, on being asked about the doubts among people regarding the authenticity of the COVID-19 vaccine, Singh told InsideNE: "The prime minister should have led by example by taking a dose in the first phase itself like the other leaders across the globe. Our leaders should have led from the front."

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"But, I think in India, the politicians themselves do not have faith in the vaccine. Otherwise, I do not see any reason for not taking a dose in the first phase itself. And, when they showed the distrust, why would the people trust it? That in fact gave birth to the doubts," Singh explained.

When InsideNE asked Singh whether he trusts the vaccine, he replied: "I have faith in God. We have survived the lockdown serving langars, if God wants we will survive this too."

When PM Modi posted his picture of taking a dose flaunting an Assamese gamocha, netizens did not miss to connect the dots immediately with the Assam elections.