Wanted, a collective national endeavour (COVID-19 can bring India together, if politics so desires)

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 Wanted, a collective national endeavour (COVID-19 can bring India together, if politics so desires)

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Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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• Extended lockdown: Whether the lockdown is helping India contain the virus's spread, no one knows for sure. The govt. claims that instead of the 8000 infections till 15-April, India may have touched 8 lakh. No one shows "how", and it seems an excuse to justify the lockdown.
• The cost of stemming the tide: Ultimately man will win, but at what cost is the questions.

1. A national government - This is the best time for making a national government in India. Since every Indian is affected, everyone has to be a part of the solution. The BJP has to take the lead in bringing others on board. If that is not acceptable, then at least get the most talented people in the mainstream urgently.
2. Make partners of state govts. - The centre has to involve all state governments while making decisions. That has started only just now, not earlier! Much before the centre woke up, some states had started. States have learnt too little from centre in this crisis, but the reverse is not true! The lockdown was a unilateral decision by PM Modi. Now "states want an extension" is the new norm. So who will be held responsible finally? (if it fails)
3. Centralisation in PMO - It is a very worrisome trend, and nearly everything centres around Modi only. Health Minister is nowhere to be seen, and all ministers are busy on social media. Bureaucrats are running the show entirely.
4. Jaan bhi, Jahaan bhi - This new slogan means "life and economy both are important". This should have been thought of prior to lockdown, not 3 weeks later. The migrants suffered badly due to lack of confidence in their minds and amends weren't properly made later.
5. Give support urgently - Huge number of citizens are hit very hard due to an abrupt stop in economic activity. The Centre is doing too little fiscally, and even states aren't been given their pending dues. Why this attitude?
6. Daily assurance - Given the vast scale of diffidence and uncertainty, daily assurance from highest levels is now needed. But the Centre hates media and press, and bureaucrats are sent to confuse things further. The SC was involved in the decision to report on COVID-19! (Kerala CM's daily pressers have changed the narrative completely)
7. Communal angle - Nowhere else in the world has this crisis been communalised, but in India it has been. The Islamophobia seen on TV in the name of "corona jihad" will undo all good efforts. Clearly, much worse lies ahead.
8. Lockdowns in future - India's chosen path is lockdown and containment. More may be needed in future. That may be okay in a developed nation, but in India where little social security exists, it won't work. Livelihoods will perish completely. So on-off, on-off may be harmful.

• Summary: This on-off approach will be very counter-productive in the long run, and the weakened rural and urban economies will need long reconstruction. Our health workers and doctors are doing a great job today. But a collective national effort is now needed. A great humanitarian disaster is unfolding right before us (never mind the propaganda), and a large inclusive political vision alone will save us.
• The task of rebuilding Indian economy and society after COVID-19 will require a pan-Indian gigantic effort, and only a cohesive vision given by top leadership can make it possible.

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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