Lockdown in India – Is it Implemented Correctly or Not?

We all know that due to COVID19 pandemic spreading across the world, almost all the countries have suggested to keep social distancing and implemented a lockdown as well. India is one of those which has implemented lockdown to curb the spread of this virus. I am no one to say this is right or wrong? I am just going to keep some basic pointers as per my resources and as per my knowledge and then let the audience decide if this is right or wrong and is it implemented correctly?

Disclaimer: I’m being unbiased and true to myself without any intention to hurt any community or political reforms.

When the whole world has started noticing the impact of COVID19 in January we were sitting and waiting till march second week for action. All International travels were as usual and no testing was going on. In fact after lockdown also I didn’t hear a single Bollywood Celebrity name being tested though we all know most of the Bollywood stars keeps on travelling abroad and they must have been for sure.

Govt immediately announced that from 12 o clock in the night there will be a lockdown. Did they even give a thought about those daily workers, be it rickshaw-wall, chai wall, sabzi wala who live in cities like Mumbai, Delhi to earn their livings? How and from there they will get money to survive for 21 days. People started walking in haste for 200-300kms and the result we heard that some of them died, how many like that lost their lives, none of us knows.

Essentials will be available is what the Government announced. I don’t know to be honest since these bureaucrats get everything easily on their plate they don’t understand the pain which a middle and lower middle class goes through. Hardly anything is available on the name of essentials, even if you are getting it but not sufficient. The Government was saying that don’t hoard anything I was one of them who didn’t keep anything extra and now I am thinking that people did it right because our Government just knows to give orders but when it comes to implementation they are really bad we have seen this at the time of demonetisation also. If you are trying to use some app for home delivery their slots are all full. God only knows where these essentials are available.

Everyone is praising about police personnel that they are doing a great job. They are out of their houses. Can someone tell me do they have a choice, it’s their work, I would say, Sorry people may find me a stupid human, but that’s what I think, as even I’m the one who is facing. No one is talking about the trouble and the hitting and the bribe that these people are taking these days. Understood that they are frustrated, but don’t you think people who are at home are similarly frustrated as well. Someone might be facing some medical problem or someone doesn’t have enough money, or food is not there to feed their family, or person is alone and doesn’t have a vehicle to go 3-4kms to bring stuff. The list is huge and I can keep on going as on-ground this is what is happening. As expected that people need to be at home and considerate about these people don’t you think the same thing applied to policemen as well. They are taking bribes from local sabziwala and what he is doing, increasing prices of fruits and vegetables which need to be paid by a common man. (I really can’t name them or show pictures as they are scared even to share with me, thinking that if I put something the police will come and thrash them).

Alcohol shops, why they can’t start? You might be thinking I love drinking. Let me tell you I hardly drink. But think about those people who need it and they are still getting it at a premium rate and whose earnings are in between middle-men bracket. Had they would have opened the shops may-be for 2-3hrs, imagine the amount of revenue the Government would get in these times. This extra revenue would be helpful in recurring funds for the daily wagers and etc.

Govt. has announced a package for the workers, I appreciate that at least they are thinking, though I have my doubts as to how much will reach to the needy. That’s a separate point of discussion. What about an auto-driver, or an ola driver or an uber driver, or a person who cooks something daily idli, poha and sell on-road or a free-lancer who works by providing his/her skills be it digital/marketing, etc. What about them? They don’t come in any sector and that is the biggest sector, how and from where they will feed themselves and their family? God knows!!!

Sex Workers/Bartenders/waiters and lots of such people no one is talking about them. Are they not humans? Whatever someone does that is his/her choice, we are no one to debate about them. Don’t they need money to survive i.e. pay their rent bills, for monthly essentials from where they will get money to survive?

Truck Associations/Drivers – Approx. 35k trucks are stranded on road be it different check nakas or toll posts. As driver and cleaner were forced to leave them due to sudden lockdown. Approx 35crore worth (or much more I don’t have exact numbers) of goods are out there in open available for loot by local goons. Those drivers were forced to leave trucks as it is as govt has not communicated the plan to local bodies who ultimately implement them. Despite essentials being allowed still a lot of trucks were not allowed to pass through by local authorities. (the points mentioned are based on the media reports from authentic sources).

I can keep on writing about people’s agony which every one of us is facing. Government is not only made to pass the order but also to make sure that they check at ground level if things are implemented in the fashion that they want. I can understand that in a country like India it is easy to say than do, however, I still feel that this can be implemented in a much better way than what it is right now.

I am afraid to say that we are least affected from COVID19 but will be most affected sooner not because people will die due to COVID but they will die due to administration has not taken things in hands at the right time making sure that normal life is not disrupted and all essential commodities and services were available. I heard someone saying we will die either due to COVID or due to hunger which one shall we choose?

Read more on Corona Virus and the precautions you shall take to prevent it. Please leave your comments about your views. It is not a political article, it is purely based on personal experiences and unbiased approach which I have toward the society. Wishing that someone would raise the voice. If you have any questions click here..

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