Looking to the phenomenal gains from the lockdown which started from March 25 in containing the spread of the Corona virus in the country, it is decided to extend it up to May 3 . However, some relaxations with certain conditions after April 20 only could be mulled at those places alone where there were no hotspots. In other words, in easy and simpler parlance it means ‘better performance and better gains’ as existing hotspots needed to get reverted to original normal positions. There should absolutely be no scope or space for any new hotspot. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on April 13, hailed people for their unstinted support during the lockdown, however, made it absolutely clear that the second phase of lockdown was inevitable which should very scrupulously be observed. Admittedly, most of the people feeling weary, enervated and fatigued on account of the unprecedented and novel experience of remaining “locked” inside homes for three weeks nonstop, expected some respite and relief but even on self assessment of the situation , perhaps everyone would wholeheartedly appreciate the need of it getting stretched a bit more till the continuous rising curve of + ve cases got flattened completely only to plummet day by day.
Should we not draw solace and satisfaction on comparative basis looking to the existing position in and the quantum of damage caused by COVID-19 to some of the most advanced and developed countries with better resources and infrastructure? Should we not appreciate the timely steps taken by the Government in chalking out proper strategy and listing out guidelines in meeting the threat of the pandemic which only enjoins upon the people to observe the extended period very honestly, strictly and rigorously. Human lives were more important and nothing could be as valuable and irretrievable as that . Prime Minister during his 25 minutes duration had only this aspect as the pivot and the basis of the entire address. Since in his own words, “I always demand you for something”, he has “demanded” seven acts from the fellow citizens which we can call as “Saptapadhi” and they comprise extra and focussed care of the elders in the family; taking care of poor families; complying with social distancing and lockdown guidelines; boosting individual physical immunity; downloading Arogyasetu mobile app for latest updates; not sacking employees and celebrating the role of the country’s healthcare, police and other personnel engaged in the fight against the Corona virus.
It is also a fact that there is a sort of a chorus for extension of lockdown from many states and Union Territories looking to there being no other alternative except to go in for restrictions on individual mobility with exceptions for some more time to have encouraging and assuaging results on this front. Chief Ministers of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Bihar etc as also UTs of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir have been underlying the need of extending the lockdown for harnessing better results. Noone can dispute about it as the alternative could be fraught with repercussions of unimaginable ramifications. Hence, tougher decisions needed to be taken as one time solution for consolidation of gains and expected better results instead of resorting to piecemeal approach under panic with lesser results. Today’s sacrifices, forbearance and reparation could be tomorrow’s gains and rewards which needed to be seriously underlined. How each state functioned till April 20, was going to be critically assessed and relaxations, if any, and with conditions for non hotspot areas alone, could be considered. If relaxation was abused or violated , the PM made no bones about it, the same could be withdrawn as it was not an ordinary curfew violation which was an offence under law but here it was inversely proportional to the imminent danger to human lives and within no time.
However, looking to the recent unfortunate developments in Bandra Mumbai which is a major hotspot, where thousands of people converged on streets breaking lockdown restrictions should be avoided at all costs. While general view is that it was a prototype of the incident of Anand Vihar , New Delhi on March 28 this year and seen from the angle of migrant labour problem , the other view is that it had got nothing to do with migrant labour and was due to faulty system of distribution of ration. A three hour stand of and chaos on roads had potentiality of neutralising gains of the lockdown especially that area being the worst affected in Maharashtra. Therefore, the State and UT Governments should ensure that at least on providing bare minimum requirements of food grains, pulses, vegetables etc to people under lockdown, there were no shortcomings. Most of the places, situation was far more better hence no such incident anywhere otherwise to call a spade a spade, hunger knows no barriers , no regulations and no restrictions.
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