Starting today, mobile subscribers will no longer hear Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone as a caller tune. The caller tune lists precautionary measures to avoid catching the coronavirus.
It sends out a message to the public to have faith in Indian vaccines and not believe in rumours. It also requests people to adhere to all the COVID-19 safety precautions even though vaccinations have begun.
According to sources in the health ministry, a female voice will be used for letting people know about the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Last week, a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court regarding Bachchan’s voice as the caller tune. The petitioner argued that the voice of Amitabh Bachchan should be removed from the caller tune because he and his family members were among the ones who were infected with COVID-19.
The petition requested the court to direct the government to have the announcement replaced by famous coronavirus warriors who were willing to give their services for free.
The new message comes amid growing concerns regarding the government-backed Covid-19 vaccine ‘COVAXIN’ which has not yet completed Phase 3 trials and yet is being rolled out along with Oxford University & AstraZeneca’s Covishield. It appeals to the citizens to have faith in the vaccine and not believe in rumours.
With the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new slogan “Dawaai bhi, kadaai bhi (medicine and caution both)”, it also urges people to continue with Covid-19 precautions even though vaccinations have begun.
