Unity in Response During Second Covid19 wave in India

Second wave of covid19 has caught us unawares. All the key economic indicators had almost returned to normalcy, or so it looked like till this wave hit us like a storm and took us by surprise.

As I write this on Apr 20 2021, honorable Prime minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has already addressed the nation enumerating the achievements of the country since the first wave of Covid19 in Mar 2020 and protecting lives and livelihoods. He also mentioned efforts by the Government to increase the production of essentials for fighting the raging surge of second wave of covid19. He talked about People participation/ Jan Bhagidari in fighting the covid19 situation and sought support from younger people of 8th to 10th class to ensure covid appropriate behaviors amongst the parents by praising their support in “Cleanliness Mission”/ Swachhata Abhiyan.

 The government did contain the first wave in an appreciable manner. India houses close to 18 % of the global population, a tad below China. Its population is more than three times to that of United states of America (USA) and its area which is less than one third of USA. Indian ethos are enshrined in Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam/ world is a family philosophy! We exported the vaccines and critical medicines to more than 60 countries as per the Government records.  These exports has been stopped after the spread of second wave of Covid19.  

Since our independence in 1947, we have followed a “socialist democracy” model. The Government has taken over the responsibilities that were earlier done by/through community based organizations (CBOs). Enactment of Panchayati Raj Act approved by the parliament in 1992 through 73rd Amendment in constitution gave powers to local governance bodies/ Panchayati Raj. This completed the constitutional commitment of handing over power to elected representatives through elections in panchayat level.

This brought the responsibilities for water, common lands and other community managed activities including distress management to the elected governments. The act coincided with the opening of Indian Economy 1991. Fast changing socio-economic led to significant reduction in active role of informal socio-cultural institutions. Many such roles have been taken over by formal non-government organizations (NGOs), Voluntary agencies (VOLAGS) and registered trusts. These entities include philanthropic institutions set up by eminent individuals, corporate entities, Government and religious and cultural institutions.  

During the last seven years, the country has seen significant improvement in in basic amenities and infrastructure like roads, electricity, potable water supply to the villages. However, the receding role of CBOs  and by corollary, community mobilization through them has also taken a major hit. This has brough the responsibility of community mobilization in distress situations to the Government – central state and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The successful vaccination model for elimination of polio is largely credited to mobilization of PRIs, notably primary health care centers (PHCs). This model came in handy during the first wave of covid19 that started in Mar 2019 in India.  Preparation of PPE kits and face masks at local level provided a crucial support in rural areas in containing the impact of first Covid19 wave. However, the same cannot be said about the second wave that started almost a year after the first wave. We had lowered the guard and we did not follow covid appropriate behavior.

We also developed globally competitive industries, especially in Health (including hospitals and pharma) sector and Information Communication  and technology (ICT) sectors. The support of these sectors in containing the spread is laudable.

Appeals from the high ranked officials, stressed out Doctors and health workers and political leaders about following covid19 appropriate protocols has inundated social media and print. I have never experienced such requests ever before. Most of the appeals from the health sector fraternity seems genuine and worth paying heed to make a difference. The same cannot be said about the appeals from political leaders. Appeals by them are weighed against the actions taken by them and their political parties. Many key leaders from the ruling and opposition parties have tested positive and there is no visibility of how they are contributing to contain the second wave other than pointing deficiencies. It is time for a united response to deal with such a pandemic.

While the industry continues to support, the CBOs and community leaders can play a critical role in supporting the fight against covid19 second wave. The dominance of the Government in critical decision making all the way till village level has meant that role of influential local leaders, prominent social / community/ Non-Government Organization (NGO) in supporting the Government in this cause has not been prominent thus far. Many charity organizations/ philanthropic organizations and civil society organizations like a Central Group Housing Scheme (CGHS),  CGHS federations or other such entities are not coming forward proactively to support the covid patients. They are passing on the message as per the Government directions.   

All of us are looking towards the Government to wield its magic wand to resolve the crisis. A Common man is looking towards local administration who in turn looks at higher ups; finally reaching a state head/ a political party nominee to the top lawmaker of a state; who in turns to public complaining/ condemning either the Central Government or the common man for lack of their support and cooperation. The third and fourth pillars of Indian Democracy i.e. the Judiciary and Media are also in complaining/ condemning mode rather than pro-actively supporting the cause by adopting certain area/ contributing through luminaries in their field to support the cause of a pandemic of such a gigantic proportion.

The community feeling while being part of a religious gathering where “selfless service for the chosen community” is the unstated objective; brings a lot of peace and satisfaction. Mainly because, we are all united in selfless service to the almighty through serving the humanity at large. Such a service is at the core of all religions as a prayer is an act of faith. The role of religious entities could provide another critical support in inculcating/ demonstrating/ inspiring covid appropriate behavior:  as a preventive measure to contain the second covid19 spread or for serving the needy when our health infrastructure is stretched and medics are stressed out.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) – religious, apolitical, political or philanthropic societies are good institutions to share the responsibility of containing the pandemic of such a gargantuan proportions.

Such entities could be the first call for citizens in need and a bridge to the administration, thus lowering the burden on already stretched health infrastructure and Corona Warriors.

We have started putting our act together as a country where serving the needy is considered as equivalent to godliness. A united response to the pandemic, helping the Government in responding to covid19 pandemic is need of the hour. This could help us return back the normalcy much sooner than a situation where we all look towards the Government to resolve this.

Businessmen, Religious entities, apolitical organizations, philanthropic institutions, eminent individuals, media houses must all unite in response to such a pandemic.  It goes without saying that each one of us not only follows the covid appropriate behaviors  but also help the needy in whatever way we can!