Covid-19 Pandemic, People and India

 

By all prediction 2020 was supposed to be fabulous year for the people. Everyone was excited to welcome the Year with balloons and feasts. In India, it was supposed to fulfill the dream of  Missile man APJ Abdul Kalam, who wanted his country to be developed. The days of January  and February were filled with election fever, which is pastime of all, but managed and controlled by the political and social elite and managed by the corporate. When elections were over, Indian government was busy to welcome #DonaldTrump . The Republican capitalist known for his huff-puff kind of politics was excited to address a large ‘crowd’. He posted Memes of himself as some Avtar in series of social media posts. While the government was busy to welcome ‘Abki Bar Trump Sarkar’, the people were sharing texts / videos / memes related to Wuhan and Coronavirus.

I also received my share of such videos from various sources. Most were funny and were made to poke fun at Chinese food habits. Some were very difficult to watch –one such being live Dogs roasted. At this time popular conspiracy theory went around that the CronaVirus was result of some bat experiment in Chinese laboratory. Not many thought of India and the world facing the Virus much worse than what China experienced. In March, India faced another of infamous pogroms in Delhi, which the sold media called communal riots. The open display of #Hate #Hatred and phobia took many innocent lives, and armed mobs ruled for days. Around this time, Donald Trump was eating Presidential Dinner at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Known for his politics of Hate, he looked the Other way. Around this time, Cases of Coronavirus was being heard, but the testings were not introduced at the Airports and other places. Indian state of Kerala was the first to introduce testings at the Airports.

Now it was believed in many circles that #Lockdown was just a matter of time. And it happened when the Government woke up and called people to observe Sunday Curfew with #Tali #Thali beatings on the last Sunday of March. The alarm bell arrived..it was the beginning of a new experience – Lockdown. I planned to return to Delhi. While booking ticket, I realized that all trains were cancelled. Finally, I managed to get reservation in what was the last running train towards Delhi. The platform was deserted and monkeys were enjoying this. I boarded the Train and reached Delhi. No one was to be found in Delhi as well. The usual security and checking staff were absent and dogs were having field day inside the Railway station.

We were experiencing a new life, not heard before, not seen before. Although I had heard good deal of stories from the maternal and paternal side of relatives about many things of old golden days. I never heard about the #SpanishFlu pandemic which killed millions of people during the First World War People got infected when the soldiers returned to India from the World War. When enquired with old generation, they could only tell about the 1930s, when India faced drought and food scarcity. The Cronovirus pandemic first wave began on a lighter note.

I could see the people divided into three categories: 1) one group took it seriously 2) second group took the virus casually but was not in denial, 3) Third group was in complete denial and only poked fun at people who took precautions and wore mask. Within a few months, millions of people were left in the lurch. From Middle class, to the landless labours all were hit hard with the Lockdown.

People who used to dine at Five Star Hotels on daily basis, were in for a new world. They never thought that their maids would not come. During conversation with one retired academic from Delhi, I came to know that people living in posh localities were hit in other way. They could not wash their clothes, and if managed to wash, they could not iron it. A new experience. Worse, the Gates of apartments were closed  for all outsiders…If you know the society, it means that loneliness and solitary life was not only meant for senior citizens but even middle aged and young ones experienced it. Single Women and men were now really single as they aspired to BE.

As April 2020 approached, I saw a large number of people walking and roaming for FOOD. Around this time, I decided to do my bit and volunteered to help in distribution of food. Many NGOs were distributing foods, I arranged their distribution on daily basis. While I was doing this, the touts and street ruffians often created some problem and tried to bully. I refused to put my foot down. Not getting their way, these people threatened to call police. One evening, one idiot was doing a Live Facebook of this help and distribution. He created ruckus and all the people in the queue were asked to leave. When the official came, they only appreciated the effort and just advised to keep the protocol. When you want to do good, you face such bad elements and hurdles. But you move.

After couple of months, even Kids were familiar with : Wash Your Hands, Keep Distance, Wear Mask, Stay Home. Sanitisers, Mask were now popular and being sold in usual shops. Something about Kids. Although each segment of society is hit hard, Kids have lost their blossom time. Millions of children lost schools, and for others online classes cannot be a replacement for the School Time.  Scary faces, confined rooms, mobile addiction, and no playground makes their life hard. One day, we heard #Rafael planes showering petals ..on Health workers. But The Covid19 was not going, and the promise to end this in 21 Days went in vain. Now the infection was spreading fast and many people died. I had some Medical practitioners in my friends circle.

And one such friend was doing Covid19 duty. I advised him to be careful. He believed in enjoying life, Happy Hours and good times. One fine day, He passed away. Now the casualty was spreading fast. But people were bored being indoors, and even middle class started to move from one place to other. From October to March was relaxed atmosphere.

People were back on the streets in large numbers. Many people never wore mask, and were always in denial of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some people had developed a habit to wear, but faced cruel jokes. Even this group said goodbye to ‘Wear a Mask’. Come April 2021, and India is in grip of 2^nd Covid19 Wave. This time, the virus came in new variants, as the experts say. It reached the villages, countryside and small towns. They notion of Coronavirus only infecting the rich and sophisticated people was over.

What has caused this second wave? During conversation with senior academic, the role of elections and Kumbh were considered as possible reasons for the sudden rise in number of infected people and casualty.  Whatever the reason, the death of large number of people owing to lack of medical facility, oxygen, ventilator, and vaccine is a cause of concern. Why India failed to act?

In January India went on what was described as #VaccineDiplomacy. It was announced that India had exported vaccine to 125 countries, to shine in universe as Vishwa Guru. The global position of India was really big? After two days of Delhi announcing a Walk-in for vaccination, We decided to go. We went to vaccination centre, and were told ‘ No Vaccine for 18+ , very few for 45+ . We returned, and checked online, Vaccines not available for next six months….It is really India Shining Moment for Indians.

Was it overconfidence? Was it lack of sensitivity? Was it complacency? Experts may debate over this, but the Health expenditure in India is very low. No wonder majority of Indians don’t have access to affordable quality healthcare. The number of Doctors per 1000 person is very low, and health infrastructure is very poor. Over the last two decades India and many states have seen heated discussion over ‘Development Model’. Which model will work in India? Amartya Sen model has few takers. Jagdish Bhagvati and Arjun Pangaryah model has not worked for the ‘Sabka Sath-Sabka Vikas’.

While the sold media continues to market ‘Vikas’, few capitalists continue to prosper, majority of people find salvation in suffering. What Next?  Elected Government and people only concerned about ‘Abki Bar –Kiski Sarkar’?

Too Much Development ...