Page 18 - The Indian EYE 061821

OPINION JUNE 18, 2021 | The Indian Eye 18

adopting armed Forces ethos

for National pandemic recovery

What is required now is a singular focus towards re-building the country,

by all sections of the society

rajiV BHalla

he COVID 19 pandemic
has caused unprecedent-
Ted suffering worldwide.
The second COVID wave in
India has caused much suffer-
ing, with abysmal public health
infrastructure compounding the
problem. Massive demand was
generated for a short period of
time on critical medical facili-
ties and equipment like inten-
sive care unit (ICU) beds and
oxygen cylinders.
The various arms of the gov-
ernment, including the armed
forces and the railways, for in-
stance, played a critical role in
trying to bridge the shortfalls.
The nation also received critical
help from many countries.
Non-governmental organ-
isations (NGOs), communi- An old man blesses an Indian Army doctor during a medical cum veterinary camp organized by the Army at
ty-based efforts (like that by the Kotlari, in Kupwara, J&K (ANI)
Sikh community), and noble
Samaritans worked overtime Various schemes such as those Despite the loss in econom- ing the country, by all sections of
to help the sick and the needy. providing financial support to ic activity and its medium and the society. Indians are known
Many others also came forward children orphaned by the dis- long-term fallouts, we need to for their ingenuity and capabil-
and contributed liberally to the ease, are indeed a soothing ensure that we hit the ground ity to achieve, and deliver the
PM CARES Fund. measure. Caution should con- running as the situation stabilis- extraordinary, when the need
During the first COVID tinue to be exercised by the au- es further. Most industries and arises.
wave, the government initiated thorities and the general public medium/small scale business- An important factor that will
a complete lockdown. While at large so that the abating sec- es may not be able to achieve aid how soon we will be able
this measure did have an ad- ond wave is capped at the ear- pre-pandemic levels of econom- to get back to our economic
verse economic fallout, many liest. ic activity on their own, but will growth curve, is the attitudinal
precious lives were saved. While we will undoubted- need active government sup- change in the mindset of our
During the second wave, the ly show resilience as a nation port. citizens towards the nation.
Union government, probably and recover from the econom- Though the Finance Min- The armed forces are a mod-
apprehensive of the adverse ic slowdown and shrinkage, the istry has already announced a el of an exceptionally cohesive
economic fallout, left it large- families would take a long time huge package of Rs 20,00,000 and dedicated organisation with
ly to the state governments to to recover from the tragic shock crores, and an array of other an extremely high degree of pa-
impose curfews and lockdowns, of losing loved ones due to the measures in the budget of the triotism.
as and when found essential, to monstrous second wave, rather, current financial year, a supple- They are a veritable micro-
break the chain of infection. the second tsunami. Many may mental blueprint consisting of cosm of the enormous diversity
The Union and state gov- show courage and fortitude to targeted financial packages for of our nation. The armed forces
ernments now urgently need accept the economic hardships the affected may still need to be ethos and sacrificial ideology, it
to focus their efforts to ensure in their stride, but will find it initiated. is suggested here, needs to be
that relief measures reach those hard to overcome the loss of What is required now is a earnestly adopted by all our cit-
affected by the second wave. loved ones. singular focus towards re-build- Continued on next page... >>

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