COVID-19 pandemic has created fear and panic unprecedented in human history. Wheels of all sectors are brought to a dead halt, the common man and leaders  are unable to visualize after COVID-19 scenario in the world. The statistical facts and figures were in such earlier cases as World Wars, epidemics, pandemics, natural calamities, or death-tolls due to TB, accidents, heart attacks, cancer, etc., over the last two centuries, need to be analyzed in proper perspective. In the earlier pandemics and natural calamities, people accepted the inevitable and went ahead with their work. Those calamities brought a dip in economic activity and gradually they went back to normalcy and thereafter to a greater prosperity. This time the situation is different as the vested interests want to safeguard their lives at the cost of the poor and underprivileged people who are going to die of hunger and poverty in addition to the deadly Covid virus deaths. We should have gone for a limited lock down and innovative approaches to social distancing in public and work environment. Now we are in a catch 22 situation where we are doomed if we relax the lock down and bound to ruin the country economically if we do not lift the lock down. Extraordinary situations call for innovative solutions. Our priorities should be to save the poor, save the SMEs and nurture entrepreneurship among the youth. We are frittering away the so called demographic advantage.

Government may sincerely think for petty interests of party or individuals, our governance and development model put us in wrong priorities, e.g., sectors like agriculture, education, healthcare, etc., were put on back foot. We emphasized more on urbanization keeping rural India almost untouched, State wise development mainly product and employment has been very imbalanced and uneven. Hardly 5% workforce is organized sector that get the dividend of development leaving over 80% workforce to their destiny, exploited by others. The price we are paying is very heavy. Just think the money we are compelled to pour to minimize the damages.

Urbanization and feeding the urban diet is not the solution. Until and unless policies are designed with the last mile inhabitant’ sadly there will be very little overall progress.  Sadly current indications from the government’s side do not appear to indicate any traction in this direction.

Our honourable Prime Minister confidently shared the plan of resurrection of Indian Economy.

• He said Rs. 20,00,000 crore (20 Lac crore) will be infused in the economy to infuse new life into the Corona torn economy.
• Self-reliance is the mantra for post Corona times – Every calamity presents a challenge for humanity. Entire world is a family. Let’s face this challenge, he says.
• Tough times test patience and create creativity, as necessity is the mother of invention – Live example: India never knew that she can manufacture PPE kits. But now India is manufacturing 200000 (2 Lac kits)
• Lockdown 4.0 is bound to be extended after receipt of written opinion from the heads of Union Territories till 17th of May.
• In the video conferencing with Chief Ministers, TV channels, say that Lockdown will be extended.
• Workers have returned to their origins – New guidelines of administration are they will be employed nearest to their origins and maximum within the district level. To stay or not to stay at original place is optional. There is no restrictions on their moving to cities or other places.
• This package of 2000000 crore will resurrect industry, workers and the daily wages like taxi drivers, three wheeler operators and DBT (Direct Benefits Transfers) will be made in their bank account.
• Everyone have to learn to live with Corona i.e. use mask, social distancing and hand washing will be permanent ritual of our life were the last words of PM’s speech.

Endnote:

Stay inside, be safe, and enjoy family life with Corona Lockdown 3