Can we be the voice of the Poor & Needy?
We as a nation were in euphoria, when our Honorable Government
took extreme measures to evacuate our fellow countrymen stuck in different
parts of the world to bring them back home safe amidst Covid-19 pandemic. Air-India
and India Air Force charters were the bankable options. As has been the case
previously, they performed admirably in the current crisis. Most notable
amongst these were Operation Wuhan (723 Indian Nationals, 43 Foreign Nationals
& 15 tonnes of Medical assistance including Masks, Gloves etc.) &
Operation Italy (263 Indian Nationals). This was indeed praiseworthy as the
Government showed empathy and care for Indians across the globe. A job well
done and we as Indians rightfully felt a sense of immense pride!
In the course of the past month and half, we have seen the
Covid-19 crisis getting grimmer and more serious within India. Janta Curfew (14
hours of self quarantine on 22 March) was a success and a failure. Success because
many of us self quarantined ourselves and failure because an equal number of
them in large groups took to streets celebrating foolishly in the evening. While most of us have been asked by our
respective organizations to work from home to promote social distancing, the
seriousness of the situation still has not dawned upon a majority of populace.
Some were seen getting together, partying endlessly, while others (poor &
needy) just had to go and earn their daily bread. It probably left the
honorable PMO with no option to go in for a 21 day lockdown to disrupt or break
the chain and bring some semblance of orderliness.
I do not doubt the intention of the complete lockdown, but am
quite appalled at the preparation of the Central and State Governments to
implement this. There was significant confusion on the ground over what will be
available (basic necessities) and what will not be. Every large city of this
country attracts migrant workers/laborers, coming in every day to seek better
opportunities/livelihood. I am quite sure the respective State Governments, bureaucracy
and city municipal corporations will know the percentages of such poor and
needy migrant workers/laborers. These are daily wagers, who at the knowledge of
loss of livelihood, will pack their bags and head back to where they came from.
Why am I writing this blog? Gut wrenching visuals of multiple
such families walking back from Bangalore to Bellary, as all state transport
buses were off the roads the first day of the lockdown. Each of them carrying
their kids, walking – oh god, if this cant move your heart, nothing will. Bangalore
to Bellary is 300kms and a 2 day walk. Add to that its peak summer already. They
found some help from the police who gave them some food to eat and water to
drink @ Nelamangala Toll Plaza. I don’t even know if all of those who I saw on
TV have made it back home. The painful thought lingers on!
Over the last 2-3 days, there are many gut wrenching visuals
of these daily wagers lining up to get back to their homes. Have taken the
liberty to put out a few below. People have flocked bus stands and probably increased
their own risk to be affected and be carriers of the Covid-19.
I will be provocative here, as the situation has moved my
heart like none before. A few simple questions to the Central/State Governments,
bureaucracies and other Government Functions:
- Are these poor and needy, daily wagers not Indian enough to deserve more empathy and care?
- While we hail efforts of the Government to fly people out of affected countries, why are we letting the poor & needy within the country unattended? Could we not have possibly put out a contingency plan for them on the lines of – basic medical check, providing them masks & gloves, some counseling on dos and don’t, food and water assistance and most importantly ferry them to their native using the State Transport buses that we have at our disposal? Alternatively, provide for community shelter and food to help them navigate the first few days, while the contingency plan to ferry them is put to order
- Why do we always have to be reactive and responding to crisis? Can’t we be proactive and deliver for the poor and needy?
Are these measures enough – maybe not. I just hope they
evolve quickly and help the poor and needy. This is probably the time, when Government
and Bureaucracy’s effectiveness in delivering to the vast majority will be tested.
The bigger worry is around the equal access to quality
healthcare to the 130 Crore Indians. That would imply testing kits, early
detection, quarantining the affected and treating them to stop the pandemic. Do
we have enough doctors, healthcare workers, hospital beds? That would need a broader
discussion and another blog!
I would also by means of this post, encourage you all to
contribute to the PM-Cares, CM Relief Funds and any NGOs of your choice so that
poor and needy are tended to. There are already handsome contributions coming
in and the hope is that these contributions will reach the needy.
I would also encourage you to pay your maids their full
salaries. This is surely a short-term burden that we all can & must carry
on our shoulders to help them run their families with minimal disruption.
Let us do our bit by honoring the 21-day lockdown and
staying home. Let us every day pray for the entire humanity to come through
this pandemic.
Last but not the least, let us smile, keep our chins up,
fight these tough times together. Together we can and will win!
Jai Hind.
Comments
My latest blog has many such details that you can pick up and contribute.
Go for it. Btw, do i know you? Just remind me of our acquaintance.
https://salesman-kp.blogspot.com/2020/03/can-we-help-poor-needy-covid-19-yes-am.html
Cheers,
KP.
since you use news articles to base your data, here's one I would request your attention be focussed upon: https://thewire.in/rights/coronavirus-national-lockdown-migrant-workers-dead
It says 22 dead because of lockdown.
Saying sorry by the honorable PMO - ask that bastard to go and say sorry to the families of these 22 dead. Even now you may find the PMO very honorable because you will again defend as you have done so in the article. Praised the decision as it was taken by the PMO but blamed the governments for being not adequately prepared to implement this decision.
And worse your provocative paragraph questions only the "central/state government, bureaucracies and other government functions". What a hypocrit u r. I wish you had more balls to question the one who you claim made the decision. It is ppl like u who give him all credit even wen it isn't due at all.
I m sure that questioning the unquestionable person lessens ur own idea of patriotism in ur own eyes. so thin and fragile is your jai hind. I spit on ur face and will never be able to forgive the PM for killing 22 ppl. u may not care about them. to me dey r equal citizens as him. clearly not to u.
don't ask me for solution. 1st u stop this hyprocrsy. den v shall c. bloody hindu gold diggin liar.