Irreverent Indians Betray Bharat

Politics is private practice for public panaceas.

- Prabhu Chawla

There are more populist physicians of pandemic politics than patients practising corona caution. Leading by example is not for our abundant advisors who practice punditry over preparation.

Ever since the pandemic hit the world killing almost two million people, India has been celebrating its short-lived success in containing the virus. Till recently, the country had the lowest active cases per million people. It still boasts the lowest fatality rate. but last week, it recorded the highest number of new cases in a single day. Its Covid-19 tally is about to touch 14 million. Recovery rate has plummeted by almost four per cent in less than four weeks. The positivity rate is touching the dangerous digit of over seven per cent. Numerous cities are running out of basic medicines. The vaccination drive has decelerated due to mismatch between demand and supply. Vaccine production cycle was disrupted because of the short supply of imported inputs and financial limitations.

With panic-stricken state governments imposing fresh restrictions on the movement of people, goods and materials, the migration of labour from cities to villages began again. The situation is not as grim as it was a year ago. but the spectre of pandemic resurgence is haunting almost every Indian.