Coronavirus Part 16, Inviting Trouble, 'Wishful' Qualities, Rajasthan Politics, Fears in Hyderabad

           There have been many instances of me writing something satirical about the big nation and I think it went over the board in my last attempt. There raised some behavioural questions pertaining to my strong criticism and I invited all the trouble to myself. I know I am a little kid and have no age, qualification and authority to criticise a big brother but doing it for the sake of revealing a mix of facts with gags. I apologise to one and all for my behaviour which is not entirely in good taste. There are few reasons why I do it. First is to pin-point a bad policy. Secondly, for the sake of irony and to evoke some giggles which is what I get personally. I laugh in many instances when I come across the eccentric ways of someone or something. It’s my weakness since I was a child not to take things seriously and make fun out of life. Long back someone asked ‘What have you achieved that you are smiling’. I wanted to say that I smile at nothing but restrained. I understood that people smile when they achieve something but I am not that serious.

          Child is the father of the man and I grew up with the same qualities. So, it is hidden in my nature which comes out occasionally through these blog posts. This is my only intention and nothing offensive meant to any of those big brothers. But calling elderly persons as ‘stupid’ and other expletives is too much and I realise my mistake. I don’t badmouth anyone, never elders in particular but just went in with the flow. Another thing I observed in the past many posts is I write in serious tone on subjects related to India and its states but slides into a cartoonist on subjects related to U.S. Obviously, Indians expect me to write better which is reflected and  I end up with some serious  stuff. The finesse downgrades to satires and vulgarity on few other subjects all the time. This should change and I need to find serious tone for foreign nation as well. Writing for a positive impact rather than satires will have a good place in any society.

          But there are some reservations. When there is something wrong going on there have to be someone pointing it out and setting it right. When elderly people make mistakes, it is the children who will suffer. There is every right for any kid to call out something wrong in a pleasant way without any expletive-laden language. If you look at some of the policies I criticised, they really evoke censure. The four of them in the last post are heights of such bad decisions. Generally courts come into play and obstruct them but I lessened the burden on courts by interfering in between. But why are these countless bad decisions being taken in first place. Where is righteousness, where is morality, where is dignity of the office, where is holiness and where is the true leader who stands by his deeds inspiring the world from the powerful position.

           Those should reach the pinnacles who have the greatest of virtues and ideals and lives for truth and integrity all the time. A man who truly possess all these qualities and takes oath will never sidestep to take a wrong decision. Leaders need to be spot-less, blemish-free and with a clear conscience. This should be the top most requirement and eligibility criteria. A clear conscience is the softest pillow and makes you take the correct decisions. One should be error-free, lead by example and direct the people in the path of righteousness. Always the people will get the qualities of a king – Like king, like people. Hence, it is highly imperative that this kind of prevalent rule need to be plugged in the beginning itself by choosing correct person for the job. I am telling this with all earnestness and genuineness which applies to any nation in the world and not just to one or two.

           Coming back to the home nation, there have been revolts happening within the political parties and some defections to ruling party. One such upheaval has upended the ruling state government in Madhya Pradesh and another is brewing in Rajasthan. You have to realise the importance of these young leaders and king makers who can alter the power dynamics and topple the governments in big states. Congress has failed to groom these young leaders and keep them in its stable. It failed to keep its government in MP and let another start in Rajasthan. While it may be correct in MP for the things to happen as such, there is no reason for a revolt in Rajasthan. The government is functioning very well there and taking the right steps under its present CM. I felt the same more than once in the recent past. It would be disturbing the status quo and derogatory to the state if there is a tussle in the administration. The past deputy CM should co-ordinate with the CM and continue the good work. He should set aside differences, get united and return to the ruling congress to provide a stable government to the state. He is one of the reasons why people voted for congress and an important person like him cannot be just removed from all the posts in an instant.

           More than anything, the two episodes exposed the chinks in the congress which cannot retain the hard-working party men. They don’t even deserve to be the main opposition with the kind of modus operandi on display. They cannot even cash in on the anti-incumbency of the people in the big states of Hindi heartland. Instead of assuming top post and providing decisive leadership they subside from responsibility and the party president resigns from the job at a least hint. The party has been relegated to a dummy in the recent past and cannot even play the role of main opposition. The seniors come into picture when the party comes to power and disappear in opposition. It needs to buck up and get its act together for the sake of people who voted for it in the 6 states it is ruling. Learn from B.J.P in how well they assume responsibility and how a single person has swept the entire nation in his tide for the sake of nation, without ducking down in the presence of many disruptors and hijackers. I re-iterate that status-quo is restored in Rajasthan and enable the state to march towards progress.

           Coming to the statistics, there are a total of 144.43 lakh infected cases worldwide and 6.05 lakh people dead. In the past week, 16 lakh new cases came up and 38 thousand passed away. More than 16 lakh new cases have been registered which is the second highest surge in single week so far. The number of infected persons per week is still very high. U.S.A, Brazil, India are the ongoing hotspots for the spread of the virus and contributing majorly worldwide. There is a slight downward trend in the number of infected cases per week and perhaps the descending slope has been hit. The peak must have been reached and cases might reduce going further if the transmission is controlled. But in India, the number of cases per day is still increasing with each successive day and the graph is going up and up.

           While I talk about all the places, let me delve into the neighbourhood and the city I am living. I am living with more than 70 cases in the neighbourhood and still roaming outside for all necessities. The shops are all opened and there is a good presence of public on the roads. No one knows when he will get infected. The local bodies and police are preventing markets to function where people gather in some numbers. Other than that there are not many steps taken to arrest the spread. The same can be said about the entire city. The city is registering 1000 cases each day and more than 30,000 cases till date. This is around 90% of the cases in the entire state. While many metros which have similar infection numbers like Bangalore, Pune, Chennai have all declared lockdown, the city of Hyderabad and the local bodies have left it to the public to take a decision.

           There are many working employees on the road who are risking their lives in these tough times. Be it the employees of bank, showrooms, shops, temples – they are all living with a slight fear of if they are the next one in line of infection. They couldn’t close it down since their bosses didn’t want loss of business and ask them not to close. The bosses didn’t ask them to close because the government didn’t order a lockdown. As a result, many are coming to duty by taking a bit of risk. Even there are many instances of hospitals refusing to admit infected persons or provide them with oxygen. Many have died for short of breath and lack of oxygen cylinders. Private hospitals have decided to cash-in on the pandemic and charging exorbitant rates from common public in addition to refusing them admission. Why aren’t enough tests not being conducted and why should people pay thousands for tests in private laboratories?

           Even in the midst of this severe pandemic, there are protests from doctors, nurses that they are not being paid enough or demands for regularisation of jobs. There are patients going to 10 hospitals in search of treatment or being in ambulance for more than 10 hours in dire conditions. This is not the local city I wish to see. The government must implement a lockdown, hospitals must admit any patient on human grounds in these tough times, doctors and nurses must save as many lives as possible and anyone with slightest doubt should get tested and isolated. There has to be much better management of the crisis and the need to provide confidence and assurance to more than 1 crore population. There has to be humanity prevailing all over and everyone needs to be assured that we are in it together. If at all, these pandemics should strengthen the people and not bring out their evil qualities to the fore.