India – Corona Virus Pandemic Mismanagement 

Padmini Arhant

The most vulnerable citizens – the poor, those with underlying medical conditions and the rest of the population unable to find medical attention for their family not barring space in cremation grounds is a grim situation for any nation.

The government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and officials’ negligence in dealing with pandemic has exacerbated health crises in the the soon to be most populous nation on earth.

The alarming reports on covid infected dead bodies floated in river Ganga, Yamuna and other streams serving as primary water source and reservoirs in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and neighboring areas is a health disaster. 

As such, the scorching summer months in Delhi, U.P. and around the country cause heat exhaustion and ailments like diarrhea, dysentery…health wise among the frail and children in particular. The soaring temperature dries up wells and rivers creating water scarcity during this time.

In the present deteriorating environment with COVID infected corpses dumped in rivers would further contaminate drinking water supply in the already murky water sources harming large swath of population in any age group and territory.

India’s poorest of the poor and economically ordinary average class battling the second wave of the pandemic urgently deserve effective treatment and preventive measures to mitigate contagion impact. The pandemic victims’ horrific experience is a tragedy that could have been averted with better emergency care preparedness and facilities ahead of time.

India had a year since the global pandemic outbreak in January 2020. From January 2020 until April 2021 i.e. 16 months wasted in denial of ground reality nationwide is predominantly the reason behind massive loss of lives in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and across the country.  The metropolitan cities were drastically affected even last year i.e. 2020. The precarious conditions were largely ignored and not addressed in containing super spreader transformed into tsunami in 2021.

The international response and aid from over 40 nations and more is a welcoming gesture. The international support certainly alleviates burden in the aftermath of COVID waves in India. However, the situation in India is overwhelming due to lack of  appropriate protocol and organized structure.

For example, India and international reports confirm the overseas medical supplies and critical inventory such as oxygen cylinders, ingredients, ventilators, drugs and other essential items arrival in India are left at the Delhi international airport warehouse since arrival more than two weeks ago. When in fact, the government should have appointed agencies to engage in immediate disbursements of these life saving stocks to hospitals and medical centers in dire need of these items without sparing any moments in the delivery.

The state governments that are not government’s allies or from opposition are expressing grievances on being denied access to life saving drugs, protective means and other crucial medical procurement in Delhi and non-BJP states with enormous casualties by the hour and rising infections seeing no religion or boundary.

It is deeply regrettable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s partisan politics premised on religion, caste hierarchy and other discriminatory practice takes precedence in a nation confronted with a pandemic far worse than Spanish flu in the past century.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) and the political party hired contingency and brigade are required to divest their attention, India’s resources and foreign assistance in neutralizing the pandemic rather than involvement in rebuttals and settling political scores via television networks and social platforms.

Failure in this regard with persistent lapses would consume more lives that are otherwise avoidable. The government’s diligence, efficiency and compassion barring indifference and isolation of citizens and electorate in treatment and protection from the virus is paramount over Central Vista – new parliament project and Prime Minister Mahal (palace).

Indian government’s priority is to improve and enhance health care system and infrastructure over any other political and personal interests.

Citizens’ life, health and well being contributes to national growth and development. In the absence of fundamental care and investments in health and survival basics such as clean drinking water through sanitation, conservation and preservation of rivers, the pandemic tidal wave could pose severe challenges for those unable to resist the storm.

Setting aside negative reactions to facts and truthful information, the government, political parties, organizations and media sensitivity to citizens’ plight demonstrating collective initiatives and commitment are imperative in the hour of health catastrophe.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter

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