Editor,
In the past few days, the difficulties and pleas of stranded students and migrant workers all over the country have been doing their rounds in the news. In our state, many prominent figures and the media have backed all of us up by conveying our grievances to the Government of Meghalaya in hopes that a rescue operation will take place at the earliest.
I understand that many back home are perplexed and might even be against it, as they consider it a potential additive factor to the state’s current COVID-19 tally. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and might even be right in their own places because in a situation like this there is no manual! There is no absolute right and wrong. Even the country does not have a written protocol as to what can and cannot be done in a situation like this.
Financial burden, necessities supply, safety and even the deterioration of our mental health have been highlighted. Most of these points are valid but I wonder in the face of this pandemic would reasons like loneliness, sadness, anxiety, depression (which in most cases would have not even been clinically diagnosed) be strong enough to get the Government to start a rescue mission? After all mental well-being is more of a personal interest. The State’s current priorities are COVID-19 cases; containing the spread of the infection; supply of food and medicines; welfare of the society’s weaker section… It already has its hands full, hence individual interest is least of their worries right now. Iam not condemning the right to express one’s emotions as I’m well aware that no matter how mature, we can still have such roller-coasters of emotions in this situation. But I want to be able to convey something we have all missed…
First and foremost, the best and most efficient thing would have been a lockdown pre-announced (just like the stoppage of international flights on the 22nd of March, 2020 was made several days before the date). A week’s time would have been just enough to let all of us return home. Unfortunately, it took us by surprise as we barely had hours after the announcement.
Secondly, a rescue before or on the extension of the lockdown would have been much better in so many ways but there is no point ruminating in the would haves.
At this point, I personally think it is now or never. Taking the daily increase in the country’s COVID-19 cases into account, I strongly feel that a move should be made now or else there will be more cons than pros in propelling this mission forward.
If a recue is made now, the incoming will be people to be quarantined and screened for the virus. But if delayed, incoming could be cases and people to be quarantined. In both scenarios, cases cannot be ruled out but the number can be expected to be lower (exposure period).
Some may think that leaving us where we are is the right thing to do. But is it really?
A big state like Maharashtra which has sadly been plagued by the infection is requesting the other states to facilitate the return of the citizens back to their home states. Why is this so?
Census in our nation is taken state-wise, funds and provisions are also provided taking population into account. Thus, shortage of funds is what this state is facing right now. Money allotted for its citizens cannot be used to sustain citizens of other states. Shares of these stranded citizens from other states will definitely not be spared by their governments. Thus, in the near future people and even cases would be made to go back home except maybe those in need of critical care.
This would most definitely create a disaster, causing an outbreak of not only the disease but also wreaking havoc and fear (overall, even more mental health issues).
But it can be avoided.
I really hope that this reaches the concerned authorities and I hope they act on it as fast as they can. Hurry before our situation turns too bleak to be brightened.
This is my humble request to the Government of Meghalaya. Save not only us the stranded students and migrant workers but save the state as a whole.
Yours etc.,
Dr Amy Jyrwa,
(currently stranded in Karnataka)
Via email
I – Card during Lockdown
Editor,
During our school and college days, long years back, till 1980s, in these parts of the country, as students or even otherwise, normally, one did not have any identity card. Those were the heady days of agitations, student unrest, etc. However, a self-identification, orally, was sufficient to identify oneself. Yes, ration cards did exist, and these had the family members’ details, but that was to get the monthly quota of essentials like food items. “Admit Cards”, that contained details of name, father’s name, date of birth, and, of course, Roll No., was issued to appear in board exams.
However, yours truly was quite fortunate to have an identity card, with a Photograph pasted on it, quite early life, when in Class VII, I became a member of YMCA in Shillong. I could never realize its value, except that it signified that I was a member of YMCA, and I could visit the club for a game or two of Table Tennis.
Years passed, and I landed in Delhi for higher studies, where it was mandatory to have a student’s Identity Card. Along came, the DTC’s (Delhi Transport Corporation) monthly passes to move around the city, in buses, at a princely sum of Rs. 15 every month. These were not optional, but compulsions of the ecosystem in Delhi. Of course, it helped to get the train tickets back home in Assam, at a subsidized rates and without hassles.
Then came the job!! The employer’s Identity Card was issued with a photograph imprinted, but that was hardly of any value, one thought! Then came, the PAN card, the Passport, Aadhar, Driving Licence with a chip, and many more, for one’s Identity proof, address proof, et al. You needed these to open a Bank Account, to check into a hotel, for a mobile connection, and what have you, and even for a voter’s card.
Then came the virus induced lockdown, and a new reality dawned on all of us. My job required me to physically go to Office during the Lockdown!! My Aadhar did not help, nor did my PAN, nor my Passport – for each of which I had invested loads of time and energy, like anyone else. It’s only my Employer’s Old Identity Card that helped me to get past the authorities to reach my Office to attend to essential services, and what an irony, and reversal of fortunes – in an identity card.
Yours etc.,
Ashim Bhuyan,
Via email