Coronavirus Part 40, Lapses of Indian and U.S. Governments

 

                The covid-19 in country is stable in the curve with not much deviation. The 7-day average number of cases stands at 37 thousand which is few thousand less than previous week. The active cases also see a drop from 4.12 lakh to 3.85 lakh over the last week. This reveals we are in much better state which is improving steadily. But a major concern is that Kerala is accounting for nearly 50% of the total cases since past few weeks and has 1.8 lakh active cases which is 45% of active case load in the country. The numbers across India without Kerala stands at 20 thousand daily cases and 2 lakh active cases. With just 2.76% of India’s population, Kerala is contributing 50% of nation’s daily and active cases. This disproportion is striking and has to be corrected very soon. It can be corrected in two ways – 1. By increasing vaccination coverage and administering at least first dose to all eligible population. At present 57% received first dose and 24% received both the doses. 2. By imposing strict lockdown across the state for few days. The average of daily cases in the last three months is nearly 20 thousand in the state. This has to be bought down by taking tough corrective actions including lockdown immediately. Apart from the concern arising from Kerala, rest of the country is in much better territory than earlier months.

                Looking at the vaccination numbers, the country has administered around 54.3 crore doses till date including both first and second doses. Currently, 7-day moving average is 45 lakhs and 43% of eligible population stands vaccinated for first dose and 12% with second dose. If we go by the present vaccination rate of around 45 lakh per day, around 70% may be covered by 1st dose through the end of Nov 2021 and 2nd dose by March 2022 – as per a report by SBI. It means, going by the present rate, it takes another 7 months to fully vaccinate 70% of eligible population. 7 months is a long time in present world and the rate has to pick up to reduce this period. The susceptible population of states like Kerala and Maharashtra should be immediately inoculated with both the doses. The inoculation in the country is heavily taken up by government providing free of cost vaccination. Just 8% of vaccination sites are private which provide paid slots and 92% are public sites with free vaccines. Government should increase the quota for this free vaccination from the present 75% as most of the members look for this route.

               Emerging out of the covid write-up, let me begin by congratulating India on 75th Independence day. Let us wish that India and the world also get freedom from covid-19 sooner than later which is the real freedom in these days. Moving on, let me delve on one burning internal and external aspect of the country. Coming to the internality, one of the episodes of the temple of democracy – Parliament passed by few days ago in the most unruly manner. The parliament held its monsoon session from 30th July to 11th August in the most unforgettable fashion. Though the government has all the numbers in both the upper and lower houses, it cannot contain the voice of opposition and held a meaningful debate for the passage of bills. The uncivil crossfire of words and images should embarrass both the government and opposition. The opposition is relentless in its objective to block the normal functioning of both the houses. The PM couldn’t introduce the newly elected ministers to the parliament; the new ministers couldn’t address the parliament – all because of the ruckus created by the opposition.

                The session had begun on a stormy note in the aftermath of the Pegasus snooping scandal and witnessed routine disruptions by members. Throughout the session, members from the opposition parties rushed to the well every day, raising anti-government slogans and displaying placards while demanding a debate on Pegasus snooping row and repeal of three farm laws. Overall, the Lok Sabha functioned for only 21 hours during the entire Monsoon session and its productivity was at 22 percent. The lower house held 17 sittings. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha recorded a productivity of 28%. A total of 17 sittings were held in the upper house for 28 hours and 21 minutes. As much as 151 hours in both the houses were lost due to disruptions. The session was in sharp contrast to the last Budget session when the lower house saw 114 percent productivity. The monsoon session, the sixth of the 17th Lok Sabha, has turned out to be the least productive of the government’s second term. 

               There is a disruption to the proceedings of the parliament on a regular basis and by the end of it, the speaker of the lower house felt extremely hurt, the chairman of the upper house has broken down seeing the sacrilege and both the houses are adjourned sine die two days before the scheduled end date. Why did the opposition behaved in the way it did? Does the opposition recognise the government at the centre? Does the opposition have full faith and confidence on the government? This is not just another session to push aside but serious lapses emerging from the parliament. The last time, this kind of ruckus emerged is during the demonetisation days of December 2016 winter session of Parliament. One cannot comprehend why it took place in the middle of these peaceful days. Be it anything, this is not something to portray to the citizens of the country as a message from parliament. This should be immediately introspected and sage, healthy views, perspectives, discussions, debates on making bills, legislations should emanate from the temple of democracy.

              The burning external factor is unfolding in Afghanistan where Taliban is closing in on the occupation of Kabul and transfer of power. The important northern Afghan city of Mazar-i- Sharif fell to the Taliban on Saturday, followed by the strategic city of Jalalabad a day after. With the capture of two key cities in two days, and that too, without resistance from forces loyal to the current regime, the Taliban has gained control of most of war-ravaged Afghanistan. Data from "FDD's Long War Journal", which tracks the Taliban's attempts to gain control of territory, shows that the hardliner Islamic group has captured 267 districts as of Sunday, August 15. There are only 53 districts now under government control and the rest of 87 are contested. Taliban now control over two-third districts of Afghanistan and the regime change is posing a certainty. The Taliban is moving swiftly to get the country under its control displacing the present administration and its forces.

             This is what U.S. occupation and invasion of countries brings them the fruits. You need to remember that U.S. worked for two decades in Afghanistan and withdraw the troops a month ago to bring them ‘peace’. Remember, it worked the same way and brought ‘peace’ to Iraq, Syria and other countries as well. The U.S. made gains for over two decades and blew them apart – shining example of rising Taliban to take over Afghanistan denotes this. Keeping the American troops have prevented the militant groups from overrunning the country. A responsible withdrawal needed more time and better preparation. History will record U.S. administration, a supposed master of foreign policy for decades, as having failed in this most critical assignment. At the very least, the United States should have continued to support the Afghans through this period to help them blunt the Taliban’s latest offensive and buy time to plan for a future devoid of American military assistance. The President ordered a hasty withdrawal of the military just as the Taliban offensive was moving into its major phase. Withdrawal of American troops from foreign nations is not paramount if they are performing peaceful missions. U.S. ravaged Afghanistan two decades ago, and is now overseeing it getting ravaged by withdrawing military support.

              Leaving the U.S. lapses aside, the Taliban must tread the path carefully and with peace all along. Not a single citizen of the country should get hurt in the power shifting manoeuvres. No person rights to peaceful living should be compromised in the exercise. Democracy should prevail in the country and the rule desired by majority should serve the land.