If there’s one great lesson the world has learnt in its encounter with Covid-19, it’s the relevance of individual protection above anything else. In spite of the vaccine’s arrival and its rapid application, the mantra has remained relevant and from WHO to the nearest health facility, there has been its reverberation. Countries which have paid the just importance have been successful in the fight and those who have ignored are facing hard times. India is certainly placed in the latter lot and it’s most disheartening to note that at a time when the country virtually is standing at crossroads, seriousness have been sidelined by certain ‘other aims’, the noticeable elements of which are- political priorities for winning elections and upholding of religious customs. The way things are going on in five states/UTs very much in poll phases now and the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar has upset Covid experts. The crux of their lengthy observations are- the country is now paying a heavy price for going lackadaisical in December, January and a good part of February and the consequences of the above two ‘misdemeanours’ will certainly entail a much heavier price in the approaching months. The great tragedy is nobody is in a mood to listen.
Coming to the ongoing election campaigning, it’s quite noticeable that national focus is now on West Bengal which is witnessing an epic battle. All contenders of power have taken the assignment as a do-or-die like undertaking and it’s virtually gambling of everything, even life for sake of seats. Any video clip of a Bengal election campaign will send shivers of fright to anyone watching since more than 90% of the spill-over crowds in the rallies can be found without masks, forget social distancing. While the ECI has been watchful over how the voters are sticking to SOPs at booths, strong directives for the political parties to compel their followers to maintain minimum basic protocols have arrived. The ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar in Uttarakhand is a different chapter altogether. Here, the holy dip is predominantly important over all Covid safety needs and the state administration has almost thrown the towel in keep in place the vitals like thermal screening, wearing of masks etc. As per multiple media reports, arrangements for thermal screening are few and far between and given the sheer volume of devotees, action against violators of SOPs is practically impossible to take. First-hand effects have started arriving in both Bengal and Uttarakhand. While the former is witnessing ‘new highs’ in terms of daily caseloads and casualties, in the latter, the seven-day average of daily new cases has increased 15 times, from 59 on March 12 to 935 on April 11.
Devastating across-the nation after-effects emanating from these two states are awaiting. But who cares. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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