Editor,
The hue and cry, the protest, the obstinate and adamant attitude of a section of people towards Covid Vaccination emphatically shows that a vast majority of our population are still either ignorant, or educated but lacking in knowledge, superstitious or illiterate. They boldly claim their freedom and rights yet they forget their duties and responsibilities as citizens of the society. Amongst these are the educated lot but how do you educate the educated? Their selfish acts put their own lives and other people’s lives at risk.
This justifies the backwardness and the myopic thoughts that are still prevalent amongst people in our society. Our mindsets are narrow and limited and we do not want to move ahead. Pity, that we look up to the Western countries for a modern lifestyle, yet, with the present scenario we can never even dream of matching the developed countries that are now progressing towards normalcy because they did not hesitate to take the vaccine.
The consequences of the choices made by these selfish, pseudo intellectuals can be devastating to one and all. Until and unless we achieve a certain percentage of people vaccinated we can never be safe and hence the lockdown continues. The ill effects of the lockdown need not be spelt out. Scepticisms can always be addressed through proper and authentic platforms but never through unverified social media channels. A sceptic needs to rationalise his/her thinking, satisfy his/her quest before he/she runs out of time.
Change is always for the better, so why the hesitance and resistance to adapt to change? The mentality and mindset of a person has to change with time. Being in the 21st century we cannot afford to have mindsets of the 19th century where taboos, unjustified fears and superstitions dominated. We need to get past that, broaden our horizons and walk towards the future with renewed faith and hope.
I totally endorse the direction where only those vaccinated can resume their businesses; rightly so, for the safety of the larger population. Nobody has the right to keep another at any form of risk. Hence before massive infections and deaths befall us let us be wise in our decisions and not get carried away by false propaganda of the anti – vaccine crusaders. It’s now or never !
Yours etc.,
Badarie Warjri,
Via email
Of true Covid warriors
Editor,
The news report “Grave job….”, in Shillong Times dated June 18, 2021, is a saga of dedicated service of SMB and CD&HG members in ensuring appropriate completion of the burial process of those who lost their lives in the fight against COVID-19. Similarly, the management and staff of Shillong Electric Crematorium have also been providing committed service to make sure that the last rites of COVID 19 victims are conducted following all rituals with dignity and honour. The entire crematorium, particularly operation of the furnace, is controlled by a single furnace operator, Prakash Sunar at present. The Covid phase cremation till date has been a story of personal risk and sacrifice. On some days during the peak period of the pandemic, 4-5 bodies were incinerated, which entails more than twelve hours on an average of constant monitoring. The entire exercise was completed single-handedly by the operator with one additional helper at best. Thereafter, daily incineration of normal dead bodies also had to be carried out by the same team. In addition, during 1st phase of Covid-19 entire hospital and other Covid-19 bio-medical waste, generated daily, under Shillong Urban Agglomeration was incinerated in the same electric furnace, after completing incineration of dead bodies. Further, regular maintenance and repairing works due to breakdown of the machinery also had to be attended to by the same team, with support and guidance of the technical team of GSC&MS; all of whom are rendering voluntary services. The crematorium is managed by a non profit registered society, since inception, but the operator and helpers are real front line Covid warriors of the pandemic. They render over 20 hours of service at times, with full dedication and satisfaction of all concerned.
We need to honour this selfless service.
Yours etc
Naba Bhattacharjee
Working President, GSC&MS
Via email