New Delhi, Feb 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded the Indian assistance and disaster relief teams deployed in quake-hit Turkiye and Syria for making India “proud”, and said it has in the last few years strengthened its identity not just as a self-sufficient but a selfless country as well.
Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were sent to provide help to the quake-hit region on February 7 following Prime Minister Modi’s directive to offer all possible assistance under “Operation Dost”.
Addressing these personnel following their return, Modi said, “You have done great service to humanity and made India proud.” “We consider the world as one family and see it our duty to quickly help any member in crisis,” he told the relief teams, asserting that India rushes to help in humanitarian crisis irrespective of the country affected by it.
India’s quick help to Turkiye also drew attention as the western Asian country has often in the past backed Pakistan on issues of conflict with India.
Highlighting the importance of quick response during a natural calamity, Modi said the speedy response of the NDRF teams in Turkiye drew the attention of the entire world. He said that the quick response highlights the preparedness and training skills of the team.
“On the basis of my experiences in these calamities, I can appreciate your hard work, spirit and emotions. Today I salute you all,” the prime minister said.
The Indian Army’s medical team had also been deployed for providing extensive services to a large number of earthquake-hit people.
Modi said India has strengthened its identity in the last few years as a country of not only self-sufficiency but also selfless in rushing to help other countries whenever any crisis hit them.
He said India has always found ready as the first responder whenever there is a crisis in the world.
“We have to strengthen our identity as the world’s best relief and rescue team,” he added.
India’s quick response during the earthquake has attracted the attention of the whole world and it is a reflection of the preparedness of our rescue and relief teams, the prime minister said.
Citing Indian help to other countries hit by disasters or any other crisis, be it Nepal, Ukraine or Afghanistan, he said, “Wherever we reach with the ‘Tiranga’, there is an assurance that now that the Indian teams have arrived, the situation will start getting better.” (PTI)
