VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog said on the Salute Our Saviours Telethon that as 2020 draws to a close there is a sense of optimism and it is a matter of great pride that six vaccine candidates are in advanced stages of clinical trials on the soil of India. Saluting all the healthcare workers, Mr Paul said that everyone from people at the hospital reception to technicians, ambulance drivers to community health workers - the ASHA and Anganwadi workers have shown exemplary courage and done remarkable work in spreading awareness and imparting information. Mr Paul said these people were directly in touch with the community and identifying patients and their contacts who need to be quarantined and so were at great risk during this entire period.