This refers to your April 13 issue Ration State. The images of people walking to their native villages, blisters on feet, shows our disaster management capability in a dismal light. And speaks even more poorly of our concern for human rights. Cities shut out the very people who built their bridges, skyscrapers, roads and malls, while living in nondescript slums themselves. This should badger our sleepy conscience like never before. Here is a small composition dedicated to our migrant brethren:
Who is that man?
Emaciated, tired
Amongst that horde
Looks so familiar
I knew the others too
Nameless
You could call them
Chotu 1 and Chotu 2
The same way
As we usually do.
All heading home
Fearing the lockdown
Far more than the virus.
Half alive, half dead
No, nothing to eat
Hunger, their
ever-loyal friend!
At last, the horde reached the village,
But to an unusual welcome
With a special chemical!
The bleach was potent,
The same they use for rodents
I am told one of them
Lost his eye.
He was a mason.
Could he be the one
Who built my sprawling mansion?
Sangeeta Kampani, New Delhi
What will happen after the lockdown ends? Two scenarios are likely. One is the doomsday prediction, which says that the world in general and India in particular will be in dire straits, with millions finding it hard to make ends meet. Then, there is the optimist, who can take heart in the unprecedented unity Indians have shown during the lockdown. There is always hope for recovery—people should work hard and make a forceful comeback.
C.K. Subramaniam, Mumbai
UN, WHO and other organisations have warned that if the coronavirus pandemic is not curbed soon, the risk of severe food crises in the world increases. Lockdowns in most of the world are causing a huge bottleneck in the food supply chain. Panic shopping is also increasing. Food exports have been banned in many countries, due to which there is a danger of shortages in the global market. This can worsen the situation in importing countries and increase the prices of food products there. A statement jointly issued by international organisations stated that despite the lockdown, every effort should be made to keep food businesses open.
Rahul Chauhan, Mumbai
This refers to your cover story Corona Warriors (March 30). As the response to the virus shows, the collective efforts and character of our nation in these times are intact. However, manmade tragedies such as the recent communal riots in Delhi bitterly betray the nation. The conscience of our rulers was not adequately pricked to make them stop the killings. The masses are so gullible that they get easily swayed by politicians’ poisonous rhetoric. It is beyond my comprehension that when our national character is strong enough to face the monster of coronavirus, how and why do we elect only third-rate chameleon-like representatives, many of whom have criminal backgrounds? Is it the case that only fear and selfishness control our character?
M.N. Bhartiya, Goa
Coronavirus is an unprecedented threat to humankind. Scientists across the world are trying to develop vaccines and medicines, but as of now, patients are getting conventional remedies for flu. It is reassuring that over 95,000 patients treated by the available remedies have recovered. Three out of four patients in Jaipur have been cured with a combination of medicines used for swine flu, malaria and HIV. In Lucknow, an infected woman was not prescribed any medicine for the first six days and then Tamiflu was given, the medicine for the H1N1 flu, for the next four days. She eventually tested negative and was discharged from hospital. Undoubtedly, numerous faceless men and women are devotedly working across India to fight against the virus. Outlook’s initiative of profiling these corona warriors is commendable.
M.C. Joshi, Lucknow
A miniscule virus has become a Uniter-in-Chief. It does not respect boundaries or differentiate between the privileged and marginalised, old or young. It has brought humanity, including developed nations, to its knees. Nature has confined us to a complete lockdown to witness its healing power. Wildlife is thriving in the open and reduction in pollution levels are a positive sign. In a way, it has taught us a useful lesson and sends the message that any effort to control nature is fraught with danger. To quote H.G. Wells: “For after the battle comes quiet. Humanity had been strong, energetic, and intelligent, and had used all its abundant vitality to alter the conditions under which it lived. And now came the reaction of the altered conditions.” Countries need to shed their mutual animosities and scientists, doctors, journalists, politicians and businesses should work in close coordination to tackle this extraordinary crisis, which demands unprecedented efforts and coordination.
Vijay Singh Adhikari, Nainital
It is the right of a resident to receive a hard copy of the newspaper. The pleasure of flipping through it with a cup of coffee is a lovely feeling in the early morning hours. Newspapers are included in essential services. So, nobody should hinder their distribution. In this world, where gossip and propaganda are elevated to the status of gospel, the printed word in a responsible publication is clearly an essential service, particularly in these times.
Gundu K. Maniam, Mumbai
