TUESDAY, MAY 07, 2024
It is dawning upon mankind that nations compulsorily need to coexist to tackle this unknown scourge which we have not yet fully comprehended nor can predict how long it persists and whether our immune systems conquer or we will develop an effective vaccine for it soon. Prime Minister Modi has asked SAARC nations to come together to fight this scourge. He also addressed the nation calling for resolve and unity to fight Corona.
The one-day Janata curfew abruptly turned into a complete 21 days pan India lockdown with sudden announcement reminding me of the demonetisation. People and business must fend for themselves whilst unprepared government administration tries coping! There was supposed to be no problem with essential commodities and nobody knows how police will treat those trying to avail of them in different States and financial fallout!
There is a blood bath on the stock markets and industries/business winding down. The Vatican has closed its doors to visitors and so have major pilgrimage sites of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh religions. Religions and sentiments are sensibly waiting for clearance by science.
Now as a citizen and veteran I am wondering about the value my vote. Elected leaders with their hanger on/mobs cross over bringing down elected governments with chaotic Bulls and Bears accompanied by horse trading! Parties confine their elected members at 5-star resorts and keep them locked up till the floor test to avoid poaching! MLAs and MPs shamelessly breach their Constitutional oath taken when they are sworn in as our representatives “to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and uphold the integrity”, etc of our nation!
A yogi has been made the CM of the biggest State, who spews hate/revenge against certain minorities he is duty bound to protect. He breaks the law at will, is chastised by the High Court but defiantly chooses to disobey its order to take down hoardings naming and shaming posters of anti-CAA agitators picked up by the police.
What is troubling is that the High Court did not prescribe any punishment and Supreme Court also not backing the High Court but forwarding the matter up for decision by a larger bench! This gives the impression of a committed judiciary like during the Emergency days of Indira Gandhi. The President nominated Justice Gogoi sworn into the Rajya Sabha a few months after retiring to shouts of “Shame! Shame!” is a new precedent!
Disobeying World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Central government, initially for example insisting on Shigmo and Indians thronging temples/churches on festivals in large numbers regardless, could be suicidal for our nation! Boasting of cure for Corona with Gomutra and Gobar due non-scientific temper is demeaning. The richest nations with the best medical facilities are severely affected, whilst India with a high density population and comparatively unprepared in facilities and financial capabilities, at time of writing, are relatively not at panic stations as yet!
In the meantime the positive fallout for environment due people compelled to stay at home cut off from normal business/activities less travel via planes and vehicles is phenomenal! Lockdowns have forcefully liberated us from our habits. So will be the negative enormous fallout of financial aftermath for the world economy once we can ride out this pandemic! Hopefully we will emerge with a healthier lifestyle government and planet! Has God sent Corona in answer to our prayers to save the world?
Carona has stopped us from taking things for granted, made us realise we are all connected, review what is really important which we had no time for! The world needs to have peace and stability to work together to heal all wounds, live in peace and harmony to enable us rise fast from the ashes.
The polarisation in India due to the policies of the majority BJP government and their narrative will need deep introspection by the RSS and Sang Parrivar! We cannot have a country in turmoil at this stage of our History with unity in diversity and our democracy in jeopardy eliciting UNHCR and half the world nation’s disapproval. Most people still have faith in Modi and our Constitution.
If he aspires to be a world statesman he will recognise our national ground realities and act more like the PM of India rather than a prejudiced, communal PM merely preaching Sab Ke Saath, Sab Ka Vikas and Sab Ka Vishwas which is what the whole of India is crying for! In fact the whole world System including the UNO is deceitful with the rich and powerful exploiting the earth and those rendered helpless including flora and fauna.
Isn't it amazing how an invisible miniscule virus can bring a highly evolved arrogant powerful species with high technology and immense power of self destruction hopefully to its senses? The world’s demand and supply system need drastic revision! Will those in power introspect, stop using politics to divide and kill, brain washing and fooling the people to remain in power?
Corona pandemic highlighted the need for a powerful United Nations Organistation (UNO) to prudently coordinate the world resources, need to discipline all nations under universal laws which can be enforced and respected equally? Will mankind overcome powerful egos and rise to the challenge?
(The author is a retired naval officer, freelance writer resident in Porvorim).
