So, the Lockdown continues presenting the cartoonists more opportunities to lighten the sombre mood all around. In the course of doing it, we might end up stamping on some mighty toe accidentally or even deliberately. But then that’s an occupational hazard every cartoonist has to learn to live with. But so long as it is done for the larger good of the people, It’s ok, I think.
Many of my past assessment of the situation are now being endorsed by experts from various fields. Hope the concerned authorities take note and use these as public inputs for making amends or for course correction, as the case may be as saner voices are now being heard louder and slowly gaining momentum. Besides ‘technical’ experts, the govt. needs to take advice from ‘ practical’ experts too and must keep its ear to the ground. Time is fast approaching to come out of the comforts of glass houses and face the reality. Outside, it will certainly be hotter, but the goal-post becomes clearer, though tough defenders have to be skillfully negotiated to score – and win!
Whether in life or in business, taking calculated risk is the key. You cannot play safe all the time and hope to win. How long can you play safe by keeping an entire population of a large country hidden! You have to face the enemy head on and defeat it in combat. Running away or going underground is not the answer. We didn’t start the war. The enemy did - unprovoked. So, whether you like it or not, you have been drawn into a war. And you can win by fighting – not by hiding. Ok, preparations are necessary and that’s exactly what we have been doing by lockdown. In this war, preparations mean getting the medical and paramedical and other related infrastructure ready for the large number of casualties expected in a war of this scale and that too with an invisible enemy to boot! But there is one and only one way, to defeat it – fight it! You cannot certainly defeat this one through guerrilla warfare by hiding in the woods (or homes or slums), as we are doing now, which, the longer it takes, the more it makes people lethargic and eventually they will have no energy left to fight. Lockdown is for preparing the infrastructure to be ready for the combat. The enemy has already started the war and you cannot remain in preparation mode for ever. Hopefully the Govt. has done the preparations such as arranging extra hospitals, wards, adequate isolation/quarantine facilities, getting trained medical and paramedical staff ready etc on a large scale proportionate to the size of our population. Now’s the time to take the enemy head on and defeat it in an all out combat. Injuries and casualties are inevitable in a war. If you refer history the numbers are too intimidating. Mercifully we have taken enough precautions through the almost 45- day long lockdown, we will come out with minimum damages possible under the circumstances. And it is a risk we have to take and I am sure we will - and come out the winner. But fight the enemy we must – not hide or run away.
Our people are now much more conscious and better prepared for the eventuality than earlier when we all went through a panic situation, not knowing the exact contours of the unknown enemy. But today we know better. Though a vaccine is still not within our reach, we have acquired enough know-how and confidence to defeat the enemy even without a vaccine. All that we need now is the courage to take the enemy on, and the will to fight! The question is, have we?
Are we ready? Or will we keep hiding because some overcautious ‘experts’ say so or some lazy CMs want it so that they can comfortably continue in their glass houses and continue to feign ignorance of the sad plight of the poorer sections of society all over the country, with neither job nor income! They also couldn’t care less about the heavy damage the lockdown is causing the Indian economy which has the potential to even cripple it - with disastrous consequences for all! Including breaking their cosy, insulated glass houses!
Unless the nation’s huge infrastructure machinery which keeps us all going, which is presently at a stand still for far too long, starts rolling again, things will go out of hand once the country becomes Corona- free. If industry, business and agriculture which feed our entire population are unable to do so because the unreasonably long lockdown had caused more serious than anticipated damage to the machinery, it may take longer than expected to repair it. And if people are consequently left with no job or money to survive, no one will be willing any more to bang the utensils or light’ diyas’ for the medicine men as they did obediently earlier nor showering rose petals from helicopters will make any difference to them. Because large scale loss of jobs and the struggle for survival and the consequent threat of starvation is such a bad enemy to deal with - Corona will pale in comparison. To a discerning ear to the ground, rumblings, though sporadic and in low-key as of now, have already started emanating - from pockets in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and other places. These are wake up calls – let’s not ignore them.
The PM needs to oust all the yes men and appoint true professionals with knowledge and experience and who will call a spade a spade and who will command respect for their impeccable integrity. From the current goings on in Delhi, I think this is rather urgent. And , by the way, are we thinking of ways to come out of the huge damage the tiny apparition caused to our mighty economy once it is banished from our country?
Dear Finance Minister, it is much tougher than it looks. You will need a team of the best economists of the country irrespective of party affiliations, even to understand the enormity of the problem - finding solutions could take longer. I am at a loss to understand why is it taking so long for the Centre to come out with economic packages for the states.( whose finances are in bad shape being made too dependant on the Centre, in due course of time, for everything they need). They all need hard cash – not more of symbolic clapping and lavish praises! So, please get on with it, for heaven’s sake!
Being a die hard optimist , and sure of the bright future that rightfully awaits our great nation, I hope and pray life will get back to normal soon in a phased and disciplined manner to the benefit of all concerned. Our people deserve it for the way they stood by the govt. during the suffocating lockdown. Time to come out and get on with our lives, but with more discipline. Time to take the calculated risk and fight – to win! To move on! Jai Hind. After a bit of serious food for thought, now lighten your mood. Here goes: ********
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