By Amy Jyrwa
Under pressure, diamonds are formed. Sadly, all cannot witness such miracles of science.
This comes not from a place of resentment but actually from an “awe-full” place.
On March 29 last the MHA announced that stranded citizens of the country can finally make their way back home. For a stranded person, this was pure joy but believe me, it was bound to be short-lived.
MHA does have a list of do’s and don’ts, one of which was the inter-state movement by road only. It took various states (namely Rajasthan, Bihar) a few hours before they realized and notified the central government that this was probably going to be a very difficult way of transporting back their stranded citizens due of lack of facilities and the long hours of journey. Our government however took more than 36 hours to realize and do the same. But to all of us, that was still acceptable. It’s a tough call, we get it! Better late than never, right?
Then, another 80 hours before we could register (for the third time). Still acceptable! Then days go by and not even a mention in any press conference about the developments! Yet nobody, not even those who were vested with the ability, asked a question.
Firstly we demand to be kept in the loop!
Our officials then go on to justify why according to them a phase-wise entry of the stranded people is necessary. And even though this has not been recommended by the MHA, we all accepted it. But after the recent press conference, many questions are arise. Do they really require a month( according to deputy CM’s press conference on the May 5, 2020) or more to deal with just a few thousands? If this was the case for other states, the stranded will be assured a journey back home only years later! I am saying this because Meghalaya has only 10,000 citizens stranded, Assam 86,000, Bihar 27 lakhs… yet Assam, Bihar and other states’ citizens are already in the period of home quarantine, thousands more incoming!
The return of those stranded within the NE started on the May 5, 2020. Shouldn’t a time frame also be included? This move need not take its own sweet time! Can’t things be done systematically for once?
And now they want us to stay put till the end of the month for an uncertain rescue?
Frankly, I feel that the authority is afraid to let possibly exposed citizens back or it is waiting for the center to stop inter-state travel so as to prevent our return and relieve their COVID phobia… Which part of the pandemic do they not understand? Epidemiological studies of pandemics clearly show that pandemics come in waves. This is the first wave, and it has hit the world hard. The second one’s impact can only be determined by scientific progress i.e. if an effective treatment and prophylactic regimen can be formulated or if a vaccine can be developed; which is not in our hands.
At the end of the day what is the point of canvassing for, “no stigmatization”? What is the need of sending us financial help when you can even facilitate our return? Or is it a strategy…delay their return till the Centre itself makes an announcement to stop ferrying the stranded? Thus, no potential COVID-19 scare as mainland India is more affected than the NE! On its own, the State Government is exhibiting a bias. How can you expect an end to discrimination at the lay person’s level? And to this the government’s response is, “for the protection of the people of Meghalaya.” Are we not considered a part of the state?
The government is trying to convey the message that road transport is not possible, and that’s why the Central government with the Indian Railways started the Sharmik special train services. Can’t our government avail this facility? I personally feel that life will never go back to the way it was in the pre-COVID period. The Central government is most probably aiming at an indefinite partial lockdown so as to maintain the lifestyle we are leading right now- social distancing, etiquette while coughing and sneezing, no over-the-counter drugs for flu, no indiscriminate spitting, one-way travel to your home state inclusive of a long stay!
Do you really think the center is propagating the movement of the stranded to their hometowns under the strict surveillance of the state governments just because we demand it? Do you really think there’s no ulterior motive? I truly think this move has been a very calculated and a sensible one. Placing an individual in his desired environment will most definitely bring him joy and a sense of security. Thus, achieving mental and emotional stability which is required by any warrior preparing for war! All this because we are like unarmed soldiers going to war against an invisible, lethal enemy who strikes at will. This is the only way our government can help us spare us own lives.
Now all we can do is wave goodbye to our NE counterparts, our Assamese friends as they embark on their journey back home (happening right in front of our eyes?)!
To rub more salt on the broken, stranded hearts of ours the Centre is rescuing those stranded outside the country from May 7, 2020…
(The writer is a medical doctor in Karnataka)