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Where is my Country Headed?

Enakshi takes a hard look at the huge surge of Covid-19 cases coupled with a shortage of vaccines, hospital beds, oxygen, etc. An exclusive for Different Truths.

They say, ‘trust the wait, embrace the uncertainty and enjoy the beauty of becoming’. I wonder if it is possible, looking at the current crisis that my country is reeling with. With the Covid-19 cases crossing the 2,00,000 mark on a daily basis, the shortage of oxygen cylinders and hospital bed, the bizarre variation in the statistics reported by the crematoriums and the hospitals and the ignorance of people – both influential and common, the scenario is bleak as my country battles with the second wave of Coronavirus.

Hospitals are stretching beyond their capacities; crematoriums are full, and people are dying without even getting a chance to be treated.

Hospitals are stretching beyond their capacities; crematoriums are full, and people are dying without even getting a chance to be treated. As Covid-19 attacks the unprepared healthcare system of my country, I live in constant fear of falling victim to this pandemic and not getting a shot at making it out successfully.

Sadness envelops my mind when I hear that several states are reporting a shortage of vaccines. There are rumours that one vial is being used to inject ten people. There are also rumours that say that doctors are fooling people by using anti-Rabies vaccine instead of vaccine for Covid-19. In spite of repeated instructions about taking precautionary measures even after getting vaccinated the ignorance of the people is unmatchable. Masks are still being worn on the chin, several people are earning money by participating in rallies and other forms of political gatherings, Kumbh Mela is being promoted under the garb of ‘a religious event that will not be impacted by Coronavirus, for a dip in the holy Ganges is going to wash away the sins of humans. 

Probably Bhakti is believed to challenge Coronavirus’s Shakti and that will eventually save my country from this devastating second wave which is not even sparing the children. 

Probably Bhakti is believed to challenge Coronavirus’s Shakti and that will eventually save my country from this devastating second wave which is not even sparing the children. While the Exam Boards have decided to postpone or cancel the examinations, the political decisions of my country cannot be held up because of ‘ELECTIONS’! After all, democracy is all about choosing the right people to govern the country!

The visuals of Kumbh Mela and political gatherings and rallies are appalling PC: Anumita C Roy

The visuals of Kumbh Mela and political gatherings and rallies are appalling. With no social distancing in sight, no masks (in the right places) and of course, no precautions being exercised, I feel overwhelmed at the bounteousness of my brothers and sisters to extend a heartfelt invitation to the Covid-19 mutant.

The labs in Maharashtra and Delhi have run out of testing kits…

The labs in Maharashtra and Delhi have run out of testing kits, the people who are supposed to get their second dose of vaccine within four to six weeks are being told to come as and when the vaccine is available. Patients are being denied into the hospitals, dead bodies are being placed anywhere in the hospital, ambulances are being kept lined up because of the unprecedented waiting time and several people are being left helpless on the footpath. That’s not all. The smartest move is yet to be discussed. According to the data (2019), 64% of India’s population is between the age of 15-64. Despite this, the vaccination drive for people who are below 45 years of age has not started.

From May 1, age restrictions shall be lifted and anyone above 18 years can get vaccinated. Though welcome, how are we to cope with Covid-19 vaccine shortage?

It is also said that no one has ever become poor by giving. But my country has proved this adage wrong as well. Even though we ‘gifted’ 45 million ‘made-in India’ vaccines to Pakistan and 1.2 million doses of vaccine to Bangladesh, we have now shifted from mass vaccine exporter to importer! Even karma is not saving us, is it?

It is sad and scary at the same time because the cloud with the silver lining cannot be seen.

It is sad and scary at the same time because the cloud with the silver lining cannot be seen. Whether it is farmer protests, Ramadan gatherings, Kumbh Mela, Baisakhi gathering or TMC’s election rallies, BJP’s election rallies, Congress’ election rallies – every event where people are participating without giving a second thought to the outcome of this venture is responsible for the spread of this deadly virus.

Thinking about where my country is headed makes a chill run down my spine. All I can do and am doing is to stay indoors as much as possible and refrain from commenting on issues unnecessarily.

Visuals by Different Truths

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Enakshi J
Enakshi is an educator, an author and a traveller. She loves to learn. Her writings have appeared in The Speaking Tree (Times of India), Woman’s Era, Alive, Infitithoughts, SivanaSpirit, Women’s Web, EfictionIndia and Induswomanwriting. She is an eminent book reviewer and she reviews books by Penguin, Rupa and Hachette India. Her stories and poems have been anthologised widely. She conceptualized two books- ‘Unbounded Trajectories’ and ‘Poison Ivy’.

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