KS Tomar
A panic like situation has gripped majority of the states in the country after outbreak of second wave of Covid 19 which has already attained a dubious distinction of being number two in the world after United States and overtaken Brazil following unprecedented deaths and spurt in epidemic cases though Government of India has taken a belated decision to permit other overseas brands of vaccines besides negotiating the price of vaccines and may hopefully ease pressure in near future which can be attributed to shortage of supply and manufacturing facilities.
India, with biggest manufacturing pharmaceutical base in the world, had earmarked Rs 35000 crore in 2022 budget and export to other nations has been halted till ingenious demand is fulfilled.
In the backdrop of shortage of vaccines, prime minister, Narender Modi, defended the decision to supply Covid vaccines to 80 countries as he supports an idea of dire need of ensuring equitable access to it across the world which preceded external affairs minister ,Jsishankar’s plea to stand up while arguing that no one will be safe till everyone is safe.
Experts believe that new strategy might have twin purpose.
First, to fulfill and adopt a humanitarian approach to help poor and needy nations which is based on the philosophy of ‘VASIDHAIVA KUTAMBKAM’. Secondly, to beat China’ negativity and efforts to denigrate India’s efforts and a quest to achieve superiority.
Notwithstanding Prime Minister’s initiative of vaccine diplomacy ,‘TEEKA MAITRI’ to come to rescue of needy nations, Indian government will be required to make it MANDATORY to its embassies or high commissions to carry forward this goodwill amongst the beneficiaries and coordinate with these governments till the goal is achieved.
ANALYSTS believe that government of India needs to keep watch on expenditure incurred by our missions on public relations activities and coordination with beneficiaries’ nations which is essential to make aware of the people about this philanthropic work especially when developed nations are helpless in extending such assistance owing to their domestic compulsions.
2ndly. India should spend more funds like China from its reserves to provide vaccines free of cost to poor countries which will add to the element of humanitarian image in international arena. China is vying with India to supply vaccines which is aimed at giving a fillip to its image as it is under clout due to allegation of intentionally hiding and misinforming the world about the outbreak of deadly virus.
Government of India has also tried to address the cost of different vaccines which may be available at cheaper cost though it will require issuance of licenses to manufacturing companies for expansion of production facilities including Serum Institute Of India’s demand of Rs 300 crore which has not been acceded to by centre so far. None of Indian companies like Bharat Biotech and Serum institute etc took the ‘ASSESMENT RISK OF FUTURE NEEDS’ which ought to have been strategized and visualized at central government level thereby leading to shortage of the supply of vaccines after the outbreak of 2nd wave in the country.
At the moment, Rs 150 per dose of vaccine is being considered as profitable which may not be enough to generate funds to invest in Research or building manufacturing capacities which will take care of new variants emerging with the passage of time. Bharat Biotech’s demand of Rs one hundred fifty crore to centre to scale up the manufacturing facilities at Bangalore must be acceded to without delay especially in view of increasing demand of Covaxin.
International Monetary fund experts had predicted GDP increase from 11.5 to 12.5 but it is facing scaring threat of downslide if other states suffer like Maharashtra,Kerala etc. As per economists assessment, nine million jobs loss was estimated last year due to restrictions on factories and commercial establishments which will swell in huge proportion in view of current volatile situation of epidemic in the country. The Index of industrial production has been badly affected which was recorded as low as 3.6 percent for Fe.2021 and slide continues.
National and international press is filled with the reports of ten million pilgrims thronging to Hardwar for Mahakumbh which may turn out to be ‘Super Spreader’ of the Covid 19.Police and other para military forces deployed to regulate the crowd seem to be completely helpless in enforcing the crowd to wear the Masks and maintain the social distancing .Centre and BJP state governments have failed to check the influx of pilgrims who have come from all states of India and become corona carriers when they return.
It was Uttrakhand chief minister , Tirath Singh Rawat who invited pilgrim from the world on March 20 to come to Haridwar and take a holy dip in the Ganga during Mahakumbh as none will be stopped as we have got faith in God who will overcome the fear of the virus. Chief minster has criticized those who are comparing Kumbh with Tablighi Jamaat gathering in delhi.
Experts believe that China is vying with India in vaccine diplomacy as its image had been tarnished in developed and developing countries after its intentional inordinate delay in sharing timely information with world which has led to deaths of lakhs of innocent people. Analysts believe that China is indulging in vicious propaganda against Indian vaccines which may prove counterproductive as india enjoys goodwill hence Dragon should adopt ‘MAITRI MANTRA’ rather arrogance and enmity.
Indian Government’s ‘Vaccine Maitri’ (friendship) initiative to supply vaccines to neighbouring countries has ensured its inclusion in prestigious V5 club comprising of vaccine producing countries Viz. United States, States, the United Kingdom, Russia and China which establishes its commitment to advance towards the spirit of ‘Atamnirbharta’ besides winning over the faith and confidence of beneficiaries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius.
(The writer is a Senior Journalist)
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