Edited by Shivam Watsa
Novel COVID 19 has lashed India with severity, it will not be just the bourgeois who will be affected. India, the second-most populous country in the world has been impoverished millions and these impoverished millions are likely to overwhelmingly bear the brunt of the suffering which will ensue. The privileged Indian has been comfortable for too long with some of the most unconscionable inequality on the planet.
The measures adopted by the government to ebb the progress of the virus who were first to introduce a work from home leisure, to urge people to wash their hand frequently, physical distancing and then an unprecedented 21-day lockdown.
When ordering the lockdown, did the government not remember the millions of informal workers and destitute people who could have no work if they stayed home, many of them circular migrant, estimated at 100 million? These include casual daily wage workers, self-employed people such as rag pickers, rickshaw pullers and street vendors and people forced to survive by alms. Many among them are people whose earnings each day barely sufficient to enable them to get direct square meal.
Recorded messages on our phones urge to wash our hands regularly. We forget, however, that Millions live in shanties without water supply, and they buy a pot of water, sometimes for a fifth of their daily earnings. Regular cleanliness is far cry beyond their means. Knowing everything and pretending like an unknown is something they hide behind their face. We are also advised social distancing and self-isolation. How is this feasible for large extended families to crowd into a narrow single room in a slum and working-class tenements?
The irony is that a pandemic has been brought into India by people who can afford plane tickets, but while they will buy private health services, the virus will devastate the poor who they infect and who have little access to health care. The union government has announced a package, including additional 5kg grain a month for the next three months under the public distribution system; Rs 500 per month for the next three months for women holding Jandhan Yojana account; 3 months pension in advance to nearly 3 crore widows, senior citizens and the differently-abled; Rs 2000 more for MGNREGA workers. If you and I were told that we have to survive on just 2 days salary and 5kg grain a month, with no health insurance, how would the future be?
While one part of the population enjoys work and nutritional security and housing of globally accepted standards, others survive at the edge of unprotected and uncertain work, abysmal hosing without clean water and sanitation, and no assured public health care. It is a matter to give an insight and contemplate about the sine qua non of deprived section. Can we at least now make this country more kind, just and equal?
Well this is a very crucial side which you have mentioned as far now their is no such exposure towards the slum as they are most likely to get affected due to unavailability of things like sanitizer mask or soap.
Good analysis done…I totally agree with the situation that are being faced by poor people of India and definitely the relief provided by Govt. are not enough and also they have to move to their home, many of whom are very far away… so social distancing for them are meaningless.
The points that you have made in your post are really valid and covers all the problems that are being faced by the poor. But considering the fact that, if the Government would not have taken these measures, the situation could have been more worse than they are now.
I agree with your analysis. This pandemic is really very dangerous. Well everyone is facing some problem. But what Indian really need is “Unity” .
Stay home Stay safe
Save India.
Jai Hind🙏
I agree with your exposure , this is real truth of today’s society . Poor people has always suffered because of the activities done by rich ones .
Well in our part all we can do is to support the needy ones as far as possible.
This is really different view. This should be kept in mind by government.
Artfully whatever the situation is going on according to that your analysis is good and one thing I like that u have cover all the issues and at last I would like to say that thanks for giving us information regarding this.
While the nation was locked down there was an India locked outside.The sudden lockdown came up with many loopholes.The reverse migration was the outcome of one such loophole.This is not for the first time that the poors are suffering the most.
In this type of situation, if health facilities don’t have the appropriate capacity to treat patients, then the death toll could be significant. And what makes this even more crucial is that the coronavirus could decrease our resources for treating other diseases such as malaria and for ensuring maternity and child healthcare.
It’s really an Eye-opener….
Fantastically written…..
Its a very tough time for India. I agree with the problems that are being faced by the poor people. Govt should do help people in every possible way
Exactly the points you have raised and tried to highlight is something very crucial . We all knew what could be the consequence of this outbreak but the kind of statesmanship expected by the premier to some extent seems good but keeping in mind the lower rungs of section of society was very important before taking such kind of decisions .
Its a very tough time for India. I agree with the problems that are being faced by the poor people. Govt should do help people in every possible way
Its a very tough time for India. I agree with the problems that are being faced by the poor people. Govt should do help people in every possible way
I agree what you have mentioned in your post. But if govt would have not done this the situation might have been more worse than have now. Blaming government is not a proper solution for this. What we can do is help our country in this devastating situation in a every possible way whatever we can.