Combat of Humanity against Coronavirus Disease: Covid-19

Addressing the nation on the outburst of Covid-19 Coronavirus on 24-March-2020, Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi announced total lockdown across the country for 21 days, starting from midnight of 24-March-2020 till 14th April 2020. With folded hands, affectionately but firmly he requested the people to remain indoors in the wake of Covid-19 attack. "Stay where you are", urging the people he further said, "Every state, every Union Territory, every district, every village and every locality is being put under lockdown". Emphasizing the need to draw 'Laxman Rekha' around the house he appealed people to remain inside the confines of their homes for 21 days; crossing 'Laxman Rekha' would mean pushing the country 21 years back. He underlined the havoc of Covid-19 outbreak in a clear term without mincing the words. 

Starting from Wuhan, China where the virus engulfed more than 3000 people, it spread its deadly tentacles across the globe including India. Though the official figures of death in China is little above 3000, the real picture may presumably be much higher. According to unconfirmed reports based on the number of vanished mobile users, the death toll in China maybe around 1.46 crore people. In Italy, the harrowing death toll has reached more than 7500. Similarly, in Spain, the death toll has crossed 3600 while in Iran it became 1934 and in the USA 667. In India, 13 deaths have been reported so far but expectedly, it should not increase further because of the strict wide spectrum precautionary measures and lockdown.

To fight and defeat this dreaded enemy is the prime goal. It is an Armageddon - war against an invisible but potentially lethal Coronavirus. In the present scenario when its cure is in a process of evolution the virus, declared a pandemic by WHO, may cause havoc. The fast pace of it's spread would affect many more and/or kill. Globally, the total number of confirmed cases is 4,51,355 and deaths are more than 21000. In India, from 30th January 2020 when the first case was reported, the number of infected people has crossed 600 and 13 people have died. The exponential rise in figures is a cause of concern. In the absence of targetted treatment, the only means to fight the pandemic enemy is to kill it naturally. 

Chinese scientists have opined that the incubation period of the virus is about five days. It may, as WHO has estimated, go up to 15 days. This means the virus would take about 05-15 days to manifest its symptoms after entering a host which, in this case, is another human being. It is, however, possible that in the meantime the infected person unknowingly passes the infection on to another one by touch or other means. The first case of its spread was found to be associated with 'animal-to-human' transmission since its origin had been assigned to Human Seafood Wholesale Market of Wuhan. The Coronavirus outbreak has been linked to Pangolins which might not be unfounded. Structurally speaking, the genetic material of the virus Covid-19 has been found very close to Pangolin - primarily ant-eater scaly mammal reported to be extensively poached and smuggled to China. Later the transmission of the virus, however, was found not necessarily linked with 'animal-to-human' chain instead 'human-to-human' transmission became prevalent. The virus transmits from symptomatic people to the healthy one through the atomized droplets of the former’s sneeze and/or cough. It can also be passed on to another human through physical contact like hand-shake. Measures suggested by WHO to prevent its spread includes regular hand washing/sanitizing with alcohol-based sanitizers, covering mouth & nose when sneezing or coughing and avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as cold, cough and sneeze. Besides, a safe distance of at least a meter or 1.5 must be maintained between the people while interacting. The most effective means to eradicate it, thus is, 'Social Distancing', isolation and maintaining hygiene. This breaks the chain and because of its low longevity, the virus would be eliminated soon.

The announced lockdown of 21 days may seem long but, as experts say, it will effectively contain the spread of the virus. Like other previous viruses, Covid-19 has four stages of transmission. We in India are currently at the second - local transmission stage. This stage is comparably manageable and less dangerous; traceable for the spread is relatively slow and the sources are known. It is, therefore, easy to break the chain at this stage. The third stage is when the virus spreads very fast and its sources are also not traceable. It is community transmission wherein it spreads in a web fashion. Fourth and last stage is the one when it becomes endemic and next to impossible to check it. It was the carelessness and casual approach towards the virus which caused a large number of deaths in Itlay, Spain and Iran. Though measures like lockdown were taken by the governments of these countries, by the time it was too late. 

The spread of the virus can be controlled by identifying and isolating infected people. China, the epicentre of the pandemic, was able to control the menace by strictly imposing and enforcing it. Wuhan was completely locked down - even the local roads leading to affected areas and buildings were sealed. This pocket-creation restricted the virus and checked its further spread. Besides, the Chinese focused sharply on strengthening health care and research, channelized their energy in isolating and treating the affected ones. They used places like stadia to create temporary hospitals on war footings. The steps paid dividends; Coronavirus cases halted and contained. Such measures have also been taken by the Indian government. PM Modi has announced a health package of Rs 15000 Cr to strengthen the health care facility. The strict observation of lockdown is the need of time. 

It, however, has its side effects as well. The otherwise pressurized economy due to various factors may become more strained. The disrupted supply chain to other countries by China may affect the production. India, albeit, will be affected minimally due to less dependency on foreign supplies but the hospitality, aviation and tourism sectors would get severe blow due to lockdown. The stock market is hitting hard causing Sensex to nosedive. Plunging oil prices and a looming global recession may further aggravate the situation. The nation, nevertheless, cannot overlook the health and life of the people which are of utmost importance. The steps taken by the government to combat the menace are quite satisfactory and in the right direction. 

Protests on Citizenship Amendment Act: Fabricated or Genuine

Loss of life of a duty-bound policeman in an insane happening of indiscriminate firing by a group of miscreants in Delhi is shocking and needs strong condemnation. The aimless killing demands severe penal action against the guilty. Such people are not only miscreants but diabolic murderers as well who believe in anarchy and lawlessness. Unfortunately, they who belong to a group subsisted by few political parties are fanning communal rife for their parochial gains. It reminds the gory incidences during the time of independence when a similar situation had been created to prove the shallow but divisive "Two Nation Theory" and "Direct Action" was called by Muslim League. That led to widespread riots, arson, killing and loot causing a massive exodus of people who were uprooted from their soil and made to move. Pakistan was created on a religious basis and chose to remain an Islamic country. Contrary to it, we adopted to remain secular. However, the word 'Secular' was misinterpreted and grossly misused.

After the post-partition upheaval eased and dust started setting down, India and Pakistan signed a pact in 1950. The Nehru-Liaquat pact was aimed to address the plight of refugees and their belongings. The opening paragraph of the pact says:

"The Governments of India and Pakistan solemnly agree that each shall ensure, to the minorities throughout its territory, complete equality of citizenship, irrespective of religion, a full sense of security in respect of life, culture, property and personal honour, freedom of movement within each country and freedom of occupation, speech and worship, subject to law and morality. Members of the minorities shall have equal opportunity with members of the majority community to participate in the public life of their country, to hold political or other offices, and to serve in their country's civil and armed forces. Both Governments declare these rights to be fundamental and undertake to enforce them effectively. The Prime Minister of India has drawn attention to the fact that these rights are guaranteed to all minorities in India by its Constitution. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has pointed out that similar provision exists in the Objective Resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. It is the policy of both Governments that the enjoyment of these democratic rights shall be assured to all their national without distinction.
Both Governments wish to emphasize that the allegiance and loyalty of the minorities are to the state of which they are citizens and that it is to the government of their own State that they should look for the redress of their grievances."

The full text of the pact is here.

The pact was not honoured by Pakistan. Even after the pact, the exodus of minorities continued unabated from erstwhile East Pakistan. Answering a question in the Parliament, the then External Affairs Minister Sardar Swarn Singh had said that the instances of violations had started coming to notice almost immediately after the inception of the Pact. The treacherous act of theocratic states of Pakistan and erstwhile East Pakistan led to an unwanted situation wherein the religious minorities reduced to insignificant 3% during the past seven decades. The autocratic and intolerant attitude towards Hindus of Pakistan and East Pakistan(now Bangladesh) had left them in the lurch. With time, due to their persecution, the minorities in Pakistan progressively decreased and now they have almost wiped off from there. It was felt to do justice to such ill-fated minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), as passed by both Houses of Parliament, has been enacted. The Act is intended to help those persecuted minorities who have come to India for safety and dignity losing everything including modesty of their families. It is not new. It was felt by previous governments as well but was not implemented but for the past few months, post-enactment of the Act, certain areas of the country are witnessing sectarian conflagrations. Organized violent protests started which spread like wildfire. The public order was thrown out of gear. Public buses were torched systematically and police stations vandalized. Police were attacked heavily. The opposition of CAA by the 'Grand Old Party' and some petty parties is beyond comprehension. It is all the more important because it was mooted out by them as well but now they are opposing it.

The way CAA is being opposed clearly reveals the vicious intention of its perpetrators. The arm-twisting stratagem was adopted which came out in the form of Shaheen Bagh. It was aimed to give a non-violent face to an otherwise violent act of stone-pelting and firing. The real intentions took no time to come out. The government has taken several decisions in quick succession. Abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and creation of two Union Territories, Tripple Talaq, Ayodhya verdict by Hon'ble Supreme Court are to name a few. The vexation infuriated them. It has tangentially been accepted by the protestors of Shahin Bagh as well.

A protest is intrinsic to a democratic society wherein people freely express their views, sentiments and/or apprehensions. It is a valid and effective means to register the opposition. It is a vital part of a healthy and viable democracy where every government decisions are put to rigorous grilling. It is right and it should be so. However, opposition for the sake of it, that too by adopting illegal means like road-block for a long time, is neither a valid means of protest nor should be encouraged. Torching buses, damaging public properties, disrupting public order in the name of democratic protest are illegal and cause undue public harassment. Those who are opposing CAA blindfolded are ignoring the basic facts and misleading the masses. Taking the shield of women and children, they are trying to play with the fear(?) and sentiments of a section. This must be stopped.

A Journey: From India to New India

                                                                                             Picture: By author


"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to new when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance..." 

The historic speech reflected the sentiments of jubilant Indian people. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, first Prime Minister of free India, was addressing the nation seven decades back in 1947. Independent India was emerging; the euphoria was palpable. About two centuries of British Raj was culminating after a long impetuous struggle. Under the Indian Independence Act, 1947 passed by the British Parliament a smooth non-violent transition of power was taking place. Poverty, inequality, injustice, oppression, dejection and frustration prevalent under the foreign rule were going to become a thing of the past. It was new dawn; people were masters of their own. 

Abutting ecstasy there was dejection, treachery and wounded humanity. The nation paid a heavy price of freedom - India was vivisected. Pakistan was carved out ludicrously in unholy haste as an Islamic country on amorphous religion-specific ‘Two Nation Theory’ which proved futile; Bangla Desh (erstwhile 'East Pakistan) emerged as a free nation in 1971. India decided to remain a secular democratic country with an egalitarian social system.

Strife for independence was over but the gargantuan predicaments facing the country were yet to be conquered. The nation was to prepare for Armageddon against poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease.

Erstwhile rulers treated this great country with the utmost disrespect, contempt and apprehension. Winston Churchill at the time of independence had reportedly said:

“Power will go to the hands of ras­cals, rogues, free­boot­ers; all Indian lead­ers will be of low cal­i­bre & men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts. They will fight amongst them­selves for power and India will be lost in polit­i­cal squab­bles. A day would come when even air and water would be taxed in India.”   

Though the above statement is not authenticated, the sentiments of the Britons were on the same line - cornering and demeaning a country they had sucked for long. Those days were over.

Severe communal conflagrations during and after the partition lacerated the faith of people whose self-esteem was at the lowest ebb. Shattered faith, disgust, anger and frustration had smashed their identities; deeply furrowed society was on a tinder box. Fifteen million people were uprooted from their soil and displaced. Women, children and dotage were worst affected. It was massive transmigration of population because of widespread communal violence, arson and looting. The wounds were not only physical but have had scathed the souls as well. Besides establishing peace and order, the refugees urgently needed to be helped and rehabilitated.

The tormented nation has had no time to lament. With determination and resolve, people joined hands in making India a nation with distinction to live up the expectations of those who hecatomb their lives on the altar of the motherland. Cleansing and purifying the vicious atmosphere, the work was to start with an inclusive thought process. People intrepidly took it head-on.

Unifying the utterly fragmented country with 565 princely states, numerous Zamindars and petty rulers having the power of self-determination post-independence was an uphill task. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel sobriquet 'Iron-man', first Union Home Minister of free India, took up the challenge. Princely states were successfully and smoothly amalgamated making India a unified one nation - a bouquet of varied customs, cultures, languages and faith. 

A legal framework is necessary to establish the rule of law. After several marathon meetings, debates, discussions and burning the midnight oil by the illustrious members of the Constituent Assembly a Constitution was drafted in two years eleven months and seventeen days. On the twenty-sixth day of November 1949 ‘We the People of India’ adopted Constitution which later was enacted on the Twenty-sixth day of January 1950. Redundant would it be to say that the Constitution is sovereign and the source of power. 

Citizen centricity is the linchpin of a civilized nation.  Governments strive for the betterment of their people. The Suprema lex is people's welfare, education, health, sanitation and infrastructure. These are but few basic needs which are of supreme importance for the decent life of people. Satisfied people are creative and constructive. The Constitution promises governance through the rule of law. The preamble reflects the idea and thought-process of the people of the nation. 

With 133.92 crore population, India is the world's largest federal form of parliamentary democracy and a system wherein nation-building is a collective object. Our 34% energetic, intelligent and positive youths are capable of making impactful change. They are creative, think big and achieve. It is Young India - 'Youngistan'.

Since the first general elections in 1951, Election Commission of India has performed its duties effectively. The world is amazed to see the vast, efficient and foolproof Indian election system. Using the power of their votes, people constitute their government. The stunning magnitude of election is evident with the fact that in May this year 900 million people including 432 million women enthusiastically used their right of franchise to elect 17th Lok Sabha (Lower House) in the recently concluded largest world over general elections. More than 1.035 million polling booths were established across India - including the one at the altitude of 15256 feet in Himachal Pradesh and one for a single person in the dense forest of Gujrat where the polling party sauntered 35 kilometres to reach. The mammoth democratic process involved 3.96 million EVMs (Electronic Voting Machine),1.74 million VVPAT (Voters verified Paper Audit Trail) machines and 11 million election personnel. To assist in peaceful conduction of the poll process, 2,70,000 paramilitary force and 2 million state police personnel were deployed.  

As with light shadows are inherent so are flaws with system especially the one as elaborate like India. Affirmatively it is organic and self-reformatory wherein the nation learns through experiences. Emergency imposed in 1975 by the then government is one such dark chapter in the annals of free India which taught harsh lessons. It buttressed the idea of constructive opposition and impartial fourth column which act as a watchdog to protect the democracy and its institutions. Showing maturity the people mandated against the tyrant rule of emergency dethroned the most powerful Prime Minister of the time - late Mrs Indira Gandhi and her government. It testifies the deep-rooted concept of democracy in the country where the real power vests in the people. 

In the systemic construction, India has three vital organs which run the whole body - Parliament, Executive and Judiciary. All three work in tandem for the welfare of the nation. Fair delivery demands transparent and corruption-free functioning, underlining the importance of impartial and honest functionaries. Strangely enough, however, India ranks high at 78th out of 175 countries in the Corruption Perception Index 2018. Needless to say that corruption is the breeding ground of crime and terror; sucks the legitimate rights of the eligible, besides damaging the morale and adversely affecting the economy. The country is fighting back this menace.

India is a vibrant nation with multifarious thoughts, ideologies and philosophies. Here we have optimism and juxtaposing pessimism. One section believes that India is progressing fast, other one sees the fallacy. This mental pugilism leads to a logical conclusion, beneficial for the country as a whole. The nationals are free to express their views as the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression. The freedom imposes certain restrictions as well. It is innate and necessary. The national interest is of paramount importance. 

It has been a long journey. Travelling through time for more than seven decades, the nation has developed a lot. The matured institutions have shown that even the most complicated issue can be resolved within the framework of the Constitution. India is now shining. We have made our presence felt, the world cannot ignore us. The challenges are being meticulously taken up and resolved. 

A nation is not merely a piece of land inhabited by people of similar origin, language, customs, culture, rites and rituals. It is an organic entity. Like the mother to her child, people are bonded with a cosmic bond. The motherland nourishes and sustains us. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to protect her modesty.