Coronavirus 21 day lockdown| Impact on India and what to expect post lockdown
While countries across the globe are fighting against
coronavirus, India was quick at taking appropriate steps to stop the spread of
the contagious disease in India. The first case of corona virus in India was
reported on 30 January 2020. In an attempt to stop the spread of the virus,
travel was limited by suspending visas and quarantining all incoming
travelers. Many passengers have been screened at the airport to stop the entry
of coronavirus. Indian citizen have been Cautioned to avoid travel abroad.
After Prime Minister Narender Modi had announced a 21 day
nationwide Lockdown on March 25 2020, it left people in fear and anxiety.
People had very less time to prepare. While there are few who can effort the
luxury of doing nothing but relaxing at home during this period of lockdown.
There are millions of poor who are struggling for survival.
Migrant labourers and daily wage workers were left with no
money to buy food. Moreover with the shutdown of railways and other means of
transports they had no way to reach their homes. They were left with no other
option but to walk miles to reach their home.
People were lined up in big queues outside the grocery
shop to stock food or at medical stores to buy medicines. People found it
difficult to buy medicines due to
shortage and many poor suffered due to hunger and starvation. People were also
found gathered in huge number near bus stops and railway stations in a hope
to find transport to reach their home. This was again dangerous as it carried the
risk of the spread of the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Narender Modi apologized for the
inconvenience caused. He said this was necessary step to control the spread of
virus. This might be true as they say “prevention is better than cure”. With no
standard cure and vaccination for the disease, that is causing millions of
deaths across the globe, it is important we take every stop the spread of the
disease.
On March 26 India
announced relief measures, which included free food and cash transfer to
millions of poor families. On April 3 2020 Delhi Government provides lunch and
dinner to 6 lakh people.
Coronavirus
lockdown had a dramatic impact on pollution in India.
We see much cleaner air and blue skies in the city. Pollution is going down.
Cities are recording low levels of nitrogen dioxide and harmful microscopic
pollutants in the air.
While this might be a good news. But this way of getting
down the air pollution below the standard norms, might not look like a long
term solution. This approach cannot be adopted at the cost of inconvenience to
people. Instead, we must focus on more sustainable ways of bringing air
pollution under control. One of the ways might be switching to renewable
sources of energy.
When we step out of our houses after the lockdown, we hope
to breathe much cleaner and fresh air. The deserted streets and drop in air
pollutants shows that we humans are in a big way responsible in polluting our
cities. But also gives a ray of hope that it is well under our control to fight
against this global health issue which is a threat to life on earth.
While India was still figuring out ways to control the
spread of the virus in the country, an event was organized by Muslim missionary
movement from March 13-15 2020. Authorities reported 3,500 people to be staying
in Nizamuddin Markaz, the New Delhi headquarters
of the group. India has recorded an increase in the number of covid-19 positive
cases in the past 3 days and the jump in the cases is linked to this event. As
on April 3 2020 India has reported 2,301 cases
of coronavirus and 56 deaths.
The premises of
tablighi jammat is now sealed and people who attended the event are being
tracked. The group is accused of organizing the event despite the threat of
virus being spread. The Delhi government asked the police to file a case
against the group for criminal conspiracy. Jammat denies the allegation saying,
they did not break the social distancing law as they were forced to accommodate
visitors due to lack of transport facility during lockdown. As a sensible and
responsible Indian citizen we must stop blaming and making the national issue a
religious issue.
PM Narender Modi on 2nd April 2020 hinted on a
“staggered “exit post 21 day coronavirus lockdown. He hinted that the lockdown will end on 15th April 2020 but the restriction will not end. People must continue to practice social distancing as the number of covid-19 positive cases have shown an increase.
Addressing the nation in a short video message at 9 AM on Friday morning, PM Modi appreciated the unity and discipline people have portrayed during this challenging time. Prime Minister Narender Modi asks the people to switch off all lights at 9 PM on Sunday 5th April and light a candle or stand in their balconies with torch or light to cut through the darkness of coronavirus and remind ourselves that we are not alone. That we are all fighting for the same cause. We all need to continue to show the strength, courage and spirit to move from darkness to a brighter future. As we light candles to challenge the darkness in this difficult times, we give ourselves the confidence that we can come out of this as winners.
Addressing the nation in a short video message at 9 AM on Friday morning, PM Modi appreciated the unity and discipline people have portrayed during this challenging time. Prime Minister Narender Modi asks the people to switch off all lights at 9 PM on Sunday 5th April and light a candle or stand in their balconies with torch or light to cut through the darkness of coronavirus and remind ourselves that we are not alone. That we are all fighting for the same cause. We all need to continue to show the strength, courage and spirit to move from darkness to a brighter future. As we light candles to challenge the darkness in this difficult times, we give ourselves the confidence that we can come out of this as winners.
PM Modi adds that we continue to maintain social distancing
and avoid social gathering, as this is the only way to break the chain of coronavirus.
We as Indian citizens shoulder the moral responsibility to follow all measures
to keep ourselves and our family safe. By doing so we are contributing to
empower our country to fight the coronavirus and make it a safer country to
live. Let us continue to showcase the discipline, unity and strength we have
put together in this hard time and hope to move towards a brighter tomorrow
very soon.
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