Shimla: India has faced challenging times during the pandemic but is now on the path of recovery and rapid growth, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday.

He was addressing the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana here.

"When the pandemic struck, PM Modi's first thought was to ensure the wellbeing of poor, migrant brothers and sisters, " the commerce and industry minister said.

Earlier, he spoke with various beneficiaries of the scheme in Himachal Pradesh via a virtual mode. He also distributed ration kits to the beneficiaries.

Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur also spoke on the occasion.