Editor,
As COVID-19 tightens its grip on the world , many people in our country are giving vent to their feelings in reprehensible and loathsome ways. In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, the Northeastern citizens are being subjected to racism and discrimination across the country. A Manipuri woman who is in her 20s was attacked in Delhi’s North Campus area. A man riding a two-wheeler spat on her and called her ‘corona’ before fleeing the spot. The incident took place on Sunday in Vijay Nagar. This is not a stray incident. The woman is not alone in facing such a terrible experience. Many Northeastern citizens have shared stories of discrimination and ill-treatment amid COVID-19 outbreak.
As India fights a fierce battle against COVID-19, it is forced to combat the social evil called racism. Bollywood singer and former India Idol contestant Meiyang Chang said that while he was out on his morning walk in Mumbai, two men on a bike shouted ‘corona’. Many others have faced the same kind of racism. Political activist Angellica Aribam also shared lewd messages and racist slurs she had been receiving on social media. A video posted on social media shows a group of women from the Northeast crying as the housing society they lived in tried to forcefully evict them and blamed them for the coronavirus outbreak in India. A group of Northeastern students were abused and forced to leave their accommodation in Kolkata. Nine Naga youth were forced to be in quarantine in Gujarat despite having no symptoms of COVID-19. A singer in Kolkata who has Chinese ancestry had to wear a t-shirt that says “I am not a coronavirus. I was born in Kolkata and I never visited China”. Northeastern students living in a small village in Punjab posted a video on Facebook explaining how badly they were treated after the COVID-19 outbreak.
Article 1 of the Constitution of India states that “India that is Bharat shall be a union of states”. One of the core objectives of Indian Federalism is unity in diversity. All the states in India and their people have equal status and importance. Though diversity is found in each state in India, all the states are part of India. At a time of a health emergency like COVID-19 outbreak, we must stand united in the fight against our common enemy the coronavirus. United we stand, divided we fall. India’s strength lies in the harmonious co-existence of people.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS,
Via e mail
Humane approach to the Covid19 crisis
Editor,
Our country is going through a period of trials and tribulations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The nation needs stricter measures to contain this virus in the days to come. Many states and regions have been put under lockdown in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus. But an anguished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday rued that some people are not taking the lockdown in the country seriously and appealed to them to save their family members and themselves by strictly adhering to the directions given by the State and Central Governments. He also requested the State Governments to make people adhere to the lockdown. The best help we, as the citizens, can give at this time of crisis the country is facing is to cooperate with the government by obeying its directions. By staying put where we are for a specific period of time as demanded by the government, we are helping ourselves and the government to overcome the crisis.
Modi also appealed to the corporates to be united in dealing with the economic and social issues in the current chaotic situation even as he reiterated that the companies should not go for retrenchments or salary cuts. Modi asked the corporate houses to be passionate with workers and provide help to them as well as to the society in upholding corporate social responsibility.
Concerned about likely job losses and pay cuts due to the coronavirus crisis, the Ministry of Labour& Employment on Monday asked all employers of public/private establishments ‘not to cut salaries or resort to layoffs of their employees.’ The Ministry in its advisory said the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) requests all employers not to cut salaries of employees who are unable to work. Further, the advisory asks employers not to retrench employees, particularly casual or contractual employees, from their jobs or reduce their wages. The letter states that the catastrophic situation due to the outbreak of coronavirus is a national challenge and these challenges can only be neutralized by the coordinated efforts of all. Moreover, all casual, contractual and outsourced staff working with the Ministries/Departments and other organizations of the government of India would be treated ‘on duty’ during stay at home in view of lockdown order regarding coronavirus prevention and pay and wages would be paid accordingly.
In these trying times, government should be concerned for its citizens, especially the economically weak. Hence government should come forward to declare a moratorium on all kinds of loans including agricultural loans. People are already in a penurious condition hence any concession would bring relief for distraught people who could start life afresh after this crises. A true people’s government will always be with the people and will do everything for the good of the people. Let us see how the government rises to this challenge..
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email
Social distancing the new normal
Editor,
This refers to your thought-provoking article “Fighting it with common sense” (ST- March 22, 2020). While addressing the nation PM Narendra Modi has urged every Indian to resolve to fight against the Covid-19 and exhibit restraint by practicing social distancing and avoiding hoarding. Covid-19 has been labeled as a pandemic, a global outbreak of the disease. Social distancing practices are changes in behaviour that can help stop the spread of Coronavirus infections. Social distancing is practicing to keep physical distance between oneself and others by at least 6 feet and staying home when we can. As an individual, one can lower the risk of infection by reducing the rate of contact with other people. Avoiding public spaces and unnecessary social gatherings, especially events with large numbers of people or crowds, will lower the chances of exposure to the new coronavirus as well as to other infectious diseases like flu. Social distancing is a societal effort to contain transmission. Governments around the world are responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, and social distancing is a central aspect of plans to limit the spread of the virus. Public health experts believe social distancing is the best way to prevent a Coronavirus. There is no doubt that the spread can be slowed down, if people self-quarantine and avoid public spaces and generally limiting their movement. To stop the spread of the coronavirus, social distancing is becoming the new normal, at least for a few weeks.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad