Experience Of Two Lockdowns

Few days are left in the year 2021. But before that COVID-19 is back with a new variant-Omicron. This new variant from South Africa has reached India as well. With this, the era of containment zones is back in J&K and in addition to it fears of third lockdown too have come back. After having faced two lockdowns and thinking of a third lockdown, it is very easy to recollect the evening of 25 March 2020 and PM Modi’s address to the nation. That evening of 2020 has gone down in the history books and little did we know how it will affect our future before again facing a second terrible and cruel lockdown in 2021.

Initially, the first lockdown felt like a vacation and a break from a hectic daily routine. Every family prepared drafts of their plans for the next 21 days. The plans ranging from work from home, waking up late, watching movies, trying new cooking skills, gaming and TV news to check virus numbers were common. Recreation activities which were left incomplete in past years were also being tried at many houses. Basically, we were thankful for these upcoming days without gauging the impact and the deterioration on our physical & mental health in months to come. Soon our ‘new made’ schedules turned monotonous and a sense of being imprisoned in our homes developed in our minds. Also a sense of ‘social inequality’ grew when we saw some people roaming out of their houses in the name of ‘essential services’. Many children experienced loneliness during lockdown due to school closures and lack of physical contact with other people. Families with aged people and toddlers noted depression, anxiety and panic disorder as they were homebound with sudden extra precautions and focus on health matters.

After months, when news of unlocking came it became a key to unlock our happiness. In July 2020, we thought that we may get back to our old routines as we started moving out of our houses with a hope of normalcy soon. On 16 January 2021, when India began administration of COVID-19 vaccines most people became careless in their daily life and it resulted into the second wave of COVID-19 which came as a tsunami in February-March 2021. Forgetting the March-April of 2021 is not easy, as COVID-19 cases and deaths caused the imposition of a second lockdown in J&K. Throughout the second lockdown there was no feeling of vacation and break from a hectic daily routine. Basically, we realized only in the second wave that the threat of COVID-19 was really dangerous when the ‘dance of death’ started around us. We were at our homes this time with really increased fear and worries. Knowing the fact that there is shortage of oxygen and ventilators in Jammu-Kashmir was adding to the worries of every family. We perceived the impact of this risk on our loved ones which brought anxiety in the minds of every family member. In J&K, all of us were not lucky as death knocked the doors of our relatives, friends and neighbors. Along with it, we saw in Jammu how some families were heavily devastated as they lost many members to COVID-19.

Despite the uncertainties and before facing a third lockdown, writing down the experience of two lockdowns is quite significant because all disabilities during these periods were not visible. Including it was the deep uncomforting and difficult times of not being able to breathe, move, eat and sleep which caused big challenges in our lives. Moreover, we can’t see the upcoming struggles but they do exist. One thing is sure that this COVID-19 pandemic is not ending anytime soon and if there were ever such times to come again, just hope to face it without fear!

End Militancy To Bring Peace

The recent targeted killings of people in Kashmir have created a sense of fear. All this started giving a déjà-vu feeling to many who left Kashmir valley decades back. Sikhs, Hindus, migrant labourers and a few locals were killed in the past weeks. And these killings were done in a short and regular span of time which made it appear akin to strategy adopted in various massacres which took place earlier in Jammu-Kashmir. The reason for relating these killings to massacres is all because people from particular communities were being singled out and killed. Once again the intention is only to harm and create fear among those who have stayed in Kashmir despite the ongoing militancy for many years now.  After all this, J&K LG Manoj Sinha said that the blood of innocent civilians will be avenged. But it does little to ease the fear in the mind of those who are still staying back in Kashmir.

The central government since August 5, 2019 is taking several steps in the shape of ‘mass outreach programs’ in the J&K UT to bring normalcy. But all these killings once again have impacted the government’s progressive steps. On the other hand, after these targeted killings, there is intensified and manifold increase in raids by security forces in various residential localities of Kashmir. And detentions are made of all suspects across the valley to stop another exodus of people who still choose to stay behind despite open prevailing threat. Nevertheless, the biggest fear remains for the families of employees who were employed under the Prime Minister’s Development Package and are presently posted in Kashmir. The recent killings were done purely to show that militancy thrives in Kashmir and are in fact, retaliatory acts of militants as security forces are continuously gunning down several militants responsible for attacks & killings in Kashmir region.

Already this year 133 militants including many top commanders have been neutralized by security forces. Some experts relate this rise in militant attacks to Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. There is no doubt that it could impact Jammu-Kashmir. However, at present free hand is given to security agencies in Kashmir so due to it the ‘Afghanistan impact’ won’t come so easily and fast in Kashmir region. Besides, the Government of India is taking steps to engage with the Taliban government and that may prevent use of Jammu-Kashmir as a ground for extremism and radicalization by Taliban. Although grief marches in favour of militants and stone pelting have stopped, still instead of holding ‘mass outreach programs’ the priority should be to eliminate all those enemies who on our land are aiding and abetting the militancy by any means. This would bring relief for all who feel threatened and are on the radar of militants in Kashmir.

In the past also we have seen that music concerts and dance festivals were organized by the Government of India to gain ground, but that didn’t prevent the killing of politicians, journalists and social activists in Kashmir. So it’s a clear signal that this all won’t be fruitful until the enemies of humanity are thriving in Jammu-Kashmir. Creating a secure atmosphere in J&K and ending violence has to be achieved first and then only the jobs, housing and return-rehabilitation schemes would take shape on ground. Because the majority of people aren’t getting convinced just with the assurances, as decades have passed and heinous crimes continue to shatter every soul living in Jammu-Kashmir. For the present and future of Jammu-Kashmir, efforts to end militancy and bring peace here in the lives of all those living here only will make people secure.

Gandhi’s Must Decide

Every Congress party office bearer says that Congress is ready to take on BJP. But Congress, which is not even ready to handle its own internal crisis, how will it fight BJP and dream of running the country again! We have seen what Congress has gone through in Punjab. This reflects that Congress in the present political scenario cannot even run states which it has already won. The impact of this is now visible within the non-BJP and non-Congress parties as all such parties are slowly going away from Congress. In the past few weeks, many political leaders including from Congress, have started siding with Mamta Banerjee led TMC. The truth is that until and unless the infighting and the differences are sorted out within the Congress party, there can be no good political results for them.  The quicker they get together under the leadership of Sonia, Rahul or Priyanka only then the political situation will start changing for Congress. ‘Dharnas’ and ‘protest politics’ won’t bring change in Congress fortunes.

However, this won’t be easy as the Gandhi’s themselves are in a dilemma as to which Gandhi should lead the Congress in the prevailing internal crisis. On the other hand, the problem facing the Congress party is the ‘floating idea’ that it needs someone outside of Gandhi family to lead it. Because by now Gandhi’s are unable to win many elections and leaders belonging to G-23 group are openly raising voices for this change. The members of this G-23 group aren’t the only ones in the Congress party who want change in the party, many others support the same thought but they aren’t raising voice. Furthermore, adding to all this trouble is that Sonia Gandhi in this crucial period isn’t willing to give leadership to someone outside of the Gandhi family. All Congress leaders want a full time president for the party as the term ‘interim president’ itself gives out a negative signal and has helped in creating various factions within the party. And interestingly Rahul Gandhi isn’t ready to take charge as a full time president. Amid all this, the leaders of G-23 group aren’t ready to give up their demand to change president, as every now and then they raise voice against top leadership and it was evident during their Jammu visit too. All leaders of G-23 have practically become inactive across the country and even Ghulam Nabi Azad who is also a member of this G-23 group has gone silent on political matters raised by Congress high command in J&K.

It is only the Congress which can take on BJP due to its presence across the nation and with 2024 approaching time is running out for Congress to settle its internal problem. There is one thought prevailing among the voters and supporters of Congress party that like Indira Gandhi, who had split the Congress to take on internal infighting and later revived the party, Gandhi’s must decide to either expel all rebels or split the party so that the worker knows about the real Congress party. Certainly, this could be a big threshold moment for Congress. However, Sonia Gandhi must plan systematically to avoid repercussions it would bring for Rahul and Priyanka as there would be very little left to bargain with the Congress leaders to stay with them after any such split. But primarily this would help Congress and next in line Congress leaders which were sidelined due to various reasons. Congress party has done enough reviews of 2014 and 2019 debacle and the party has to come out of all fears to repair and revitalize as fear of its existence lies ahead!

Women In Armed Forces

Across globe India is among few nations where the role of women is negligible in society and workplace. Although the Constitution of India grants equal rights to females, no one could deny that socially the ‘equality’ is not visible. And that it is also due to our culture and traditions which have a larger and bigger impact on our lives than the laws of the land. Go back in Indian history or talk of present, women had faced and continue to face this kind of discrimination which has kept them back in most of the fields. India is an interesting case of gender bias and gender insensitive rules. This all has become a roadblock in the growth of women in various careers available to them in this country. 

In India, we see many women fighting for ‘equality’ but strangely many among them get disapproved of by their own families on such ideas. This example is the majority of ‘traditional families’ as very few females here are born in an enlightened family where they get groomed in a manner where equality is given free to them and social obstacles are not a hindrance for them. This can be easily seen and found around us when we compare three generations of women and we find complete contrast in mental attitudes. In the past two decades, we have seen women slowly entering the workplace. It reflects the changing social and workplace environment which is now evolving to accommodate females. 

Earlier, workplace problems were in abundance all over the country and women had to fight to survive in traditional male bastions and male dominated careers. One such field has been the ‘uniformed services’ where women are negligible in any role across the country. To talk of police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) the representation of women as per national data is at 5.7%. Although females have started to join uniformed services, whether it’s Central Armed Police Organizations or Indian Police Services still it is seen as a non-traditional career for them by many parents. The question arises as to who is to be held responsible? Is it the society we live in where patriarchy comes in the way of equality or institutional attitudes right at the top or the women themselves who aren’t ready to exploit the opportunities available for them? While others continue to argue on this, I feel that women should be allowed to serve in any role in the armed forces.

In 1888, during the British rule women started joining Indian Army when the ‘Indian Military Nursing Service’ was formed. And it took more than 100 years (as it was in 1992) to induct women in non-medical roles. Inspite of inducting women officers since 1992 at present women are just 0.56% of India's 1.4 million army personnel which is the world's second-largest military force. A lot is being said and done on this but nothing seems to have changed. However, a few days back a game changing step was taken when the centre government told the Indian Supreme Court that it has now decided to induct women for permanent commission in the armed forces through the National Defence Academy (NDA). My observation says that if this goes in the right direction then very soon we all would witness a changed profile of women in the armed forces. Rather, the truth is that gender parity could only come when countless women start wearing ‘uniform’ and men see all that with pride. Besides, this would be the ultimate victory of our social system when we accept women breaching the male bastion!

Olympics Tally

The Tokyo Olympics are over and so are the scenes of jubilation across the nation. Neeraj Chopra's stunning victory has got registered in the history books. But think once again, how many among us knew Neeraj Chopra earlier and how many among us knew about the game of javelin? I feel like asking all this because Neeraj Chopra didn’t reach Tokyo directly. He qualified and participated in many events before representing India at Tokyo Olympics. All that went unnoticed from crores of people of this country. This reflects a clear case of our country lacking sporting culture. The result is that India with a population of 1.35 billion and with good resources always falls short in events like the Olympics. In every Olympics, many contenders and big contingent goes from India but only few players out of them get some medal.

It took us decades to get one gold medal in athletics. Need is to revive India's sports culture at the grass-root level or we may have to wait for another decade to get gold. One thing is clear that there is no shortage of skills in our country. We have to think over and above cricket and into other sports like hockey, football, archery, wrestling, badminton and table tennis. The under performance of our players is due to many reasons.  Parents have a role to play as they give no priority to sports in the life of their children. And preoccupation with grades or marks is the reason which makes them keep their children away from sports. We need a cultural revolution and focus should be laid at school and college level because physical classes in college are considered unnecessary till today by students. Moreover, poverty is also a reason which keeps many children away from sports because poverty affects the performance of any individual to continue his/her journey on the sports field. We have seen this in our country as many national/international players later do petty jobs for survival and running home.

In 2014, Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) flagship athlete centric program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was started. This initiative of the government provided assistance to India's top athletes in their preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It helped players train with modern infrastructure to compete with other nations in a world class atmosphere. This shows that it’s actually more important to implement policy than just making policies. Another government initiative like Khelo India is among policies made for encouragement of sports which also focused on science behind the sports.  The budget on sports promotion was increased from 1400 crores in 2016-17 to 2826 crores in 2019-20. However, again in 2021-22 the budget was reduced to 2500 crores. Besides this all, it has to be seen that benefit must reach the beneficiaries because we have seen that in games like Taekwondo India couldn’t send a single player to Tokyo Olympics.

As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, situation is not conducive for sportspersons to grow and compete at national, international level. Infact we are lagging far behind to north Indian states like Punjab & Haryana. There are only few names from Jammu and Kashmir who have enormous talent and compete at international platforms to bring laurels for Jammu Kashmir. Lack of proper infrastructure and coaching facilities from J&K Sports Council is a hindrance for the proper development of different sportspersons in J&K. It is pertinent to mention a fundamental problem here that sports are trapped entirely in the politics and political system of Jammu and Kashmir. Need is to have alot of role models in sports which act as inspiration and produce more sportspersons. Also it is required that we at the earliest end lack of recognition in other sports in India to promote and support sportsmen. If this all is channelized in the next few years then the day is not far when we would rise to top from bottom in the Olympics tally.

Flooding In Urban Areas

Few days back, the onset of monsoon in Jammu took the shape of devastation with rains causing flash floods in low lying areas of Jammu. Once again this early morning calamity shattered many souls who were still sleeping and were all of a sudden surrounded by knee deep flood waters around their beds. Issue of flash floods in these low lying urban areas is not new and such incidents are now becoming a yearly affair. All these areas which witness flash floods are close to nullahs which swell during monsoon and the impact of such flooding is severe as all the urban areas these days are densely populated. But knowing all this, nothing solid in past years has been done by concerned government departments to protect the people who annually suffer losses. It also appears that many of the officers are dangerously insensitive to this local problem.

Firstly, encroachment near nullahs by some people in the shape of illegal construction has created interference in the natural path of rain water which results in flooding. This also reflects connivance of the employees of various departments in these urban areas. They all are playing in the hands of the land mafia by ignoring violations around all these nullahs. Secondly, concrete slabs over nullahs have converted these nullahs into drains. Basically, nullahs were covered with slabs to maintain hygiene. However, with this covering all nullahs required regular cleaning to prevent choking. But this part was ignored and now it has caused permanent choking in several areas resulting in blockage. This is not all, with these slabs encroachment too has increased. People have created parking lots, started putting household articles on concrete slabs and in some cases even dairy farms are operating from nullah slabs.  Thirdly, adding to this whole problem is dumping of solid waste in these nullahs. The regular dumping of solid waste into these nullahs has raised the ground level of these nullahs and helps rain water to divert from its path.

Inspite of number of regular complaints by residents in these areas against all these issues no change is witnessed. The local officers prefer to ignore rather than taking action on it. Accountability should be brought in to end this carelessness which is damaging institutional governance. It’s time that for every year devastation government officers should be held responsible. And stern action should be taken against all those who fail to act in their respective areas. A probe too should be ordered and taken to logical conclusion to unearth unholy nexus between officers & land mafia. Government action against encroachers’ should not only be limited to ‘state land’ and violations around nullahs too should be dealt seriously. The greed of some people is causing flooding in urban areas. Besides, some steps should be taken to stop sealing the nullahs with concrete slabs. Some policy should be drafted to maintain the width of nullahs because with reduced width the capacity to carry both natural and drainage water is reduced. Most importantly focus should be laid on easy and regular cleaning methods for the nullahs.

Although these days direction to deliver justice to people from the office of J&K LG is issued but on this, anything will happen only when no more time is spent in ‘close door meetings’ or else large destruction may happen in Jammu in the shape of loss of lives and property. Proper implementation of policies can only prevent this man-made disaster. Only photo ops done to highlight ‘Smart City Project’ and campaigns like ‘Swachh Bharat’ won’t work in the long term. Already these photo ops have stand exposed many times when rain water clogged roads in Jammu city. The citizens have a big role to play in this. Before that they need to be given options like designated spaces for ‘dumping anything’ only then will this trend of ‘dumping anything-anywhere’ will end. The situation will only get worse if all the multiple options are not adopted against the key threats for protection against these floods.

Summer Heat Series By PDD

Post August 2019 numerous things have changed in J&K as many structural reforms were done. But in spite of such big shifts, business is as usual for J&K PDD department and the department maintained its consistency from erstwhile state to UT. An ‘award of honour’ must be given to this department for not changing its performance even after having witnessed a big structural reform. Numerous progressive things have been done to improve the status and picture of our J&K. However, it seems that significance to the issue of unscheduled power cuts in Jammu isn’t on the priority list of the present administration too. Like past many years, this year too Jammu region is facing hot and humid days with erratic power supply. During the prevailing heat wave, power cuts are happening for 6 to 10 hours daily. These unscheduled power cuts and fluctuations in the Jammu region have pushed the people into a hell like situation.

The issue is not extreme for those living in government accommodations as they don’t have to face this. The result is that they don’t get associated with this on ground problem. Adding to it are PDD engineers who consistently present a positive situation of power issue in Jammu. The revenue generation done by PDD is not going in the right direction and nothing is done to instill confidence in the public. Every year as mercury rises and frequent cuts cause uproar, PDD asks people to make judicious use of electricity. Instead of admitting the failures on their part they make an excuse of people overloading the system. It’s purely wrong and manipulative because with changing times electricity consumption requirements have increased and it is the duty of PDD to enhance its system. By asking for ‘judicious use of electricity’ basically PDD demands ‘minimum use of electricity’ from the public. 

Some people are honestly paying electricity bills and yet they are among the sufferers. A non-paying customer and a law abiding citizen both are getting the same treatment at the hands of PDD. Now talks are going on for installing ‘prepaid meters’ in Jammu by PDD. This ‘prepaid meters’ theory should be left aside and first post-paid meters should be installed in the entire Jammu as many people are still using the services of PDD without having any meter in their houses. The LG led administration must ensure that such problems are solved firstly so that scorching summers next year aren't the same due to misadventures of PDD. Administration should keep in mind the real problem and work on it before going ahead with such fancy ideas of ‘prepaid meters’. 

Not to forget that ongoing pandemic circumstances are keeping people homebound and in this COVID crisis these power cuts may  prove fatal for all those who are on oxygen support at their homes. The long cuts adversely impact the entire family who has such patient and a sense of fear comes in as power goes. Besides, all students who are at homes due to closure of educational institutes too are getting affected by this interrupted power supply. This alone is not the impact, talk of the economy and Jammu industrial sector couldn’t pick up on work the way it could have ever since unlock started in J&K. This all caused hue and cry and Jammu residents started campaigns on social media against the government to declare ‘city of temples’ as ‘city of power cuts’. 

The result of this social media campaign came and the LG led administration ordered an enquiry to find out the reasons for prevailing power situation. Hoping for this enquiry to reach a logical conclusion and it will be interesting to see on whom the responsibility will be fixed for such unscheduled blackouts. Earlier also in the erstwhile state of J&K the governments have shown displeasure on such incidents but as summers passed they forgot everything. This gap generated in past years to fix accountability is the main cause of this continuous summer heat series by PDD every year. J&K has set targets of travelling a long way after August 2019 and the access to electricity will surely improve the idea of ‘Naya’ Jammu Kashmir.

Sikhs: “Covid Warriors” On The Frontline

The Sikh community in the whole world is known for the tradition of ‘seva’. Every time we have floods, earthquakes or any other kind of natural calamity, Sikhs are always on the front position with a helping hand. And now ever since Covid-19 pandemic came, Sikhs are once more showing their community spirit in this tough time faced by humanity.  In India, the Sikhs have taken forward this ‘seva’ during pandemic by providing ‘langar’, medicines, oxygen cylinders etc. to all people irrespective of religion, caste, gender, social or economic status in several cities in India. In Delhi ‘langar on wheels’ is operated by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) under which free meals hygienically packed in plastic containers from various Delhi Gurdwaras are being sent daily to different areas for thousands of people.

Moreover, along with it DSGMC has even launched a free ambulance service for Covid-19 patients in Delhi. Not only this, a revolutionary step was taken by Delhi Gurdwaras along with several Sikh NGOs when they started providing free oxygen cylinders in the shape of ‘langars’ by helping lakhs of people who were gasping for oxygen in the capital. In Delhi, many Sikh organizations also came forward to help many families to perform last rites of their relatives in crematoriums. On the other hand in Punjab, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has started Covid Care Centers at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib (Ludhiana), Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Bathinda) and at Bholath (Kapurthala) to provide totally free treatment to Covid patients. Amid Covid- 19 news, such news of non-profit Sikh NGOs helping people also came from Maharashtra, Odisha and Karnataka and it reaffirmed the faith of people in humanity.

Many Indians, who are not well versed about the Sikh traditions and history, wonder how the Sikh community mobilizes resources and always comes forward to serve in times of crisis. The answer to this tradition of ‘seva’ lies in the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus which started almost four centuries ago and continues without any kind of discrimination. It’s the reason that in the time of Covid-19 pandemic, Sikhs have stepped out to offer help to all even when the government was found lacking. These all initiatives have come as a beacon of hope and a way to ensure that the needy and helpless don’t die or sleep empty stomach. It is worth recalling that every Sikh since childhood is trained to serve the human race and the result of that we have seen in the past, when many supreme sacrifices were made by Sikhs for India which till today has no parallel in history.

The acknowledgment of this contribution of Sikhs during Covid-19 catastrophe has also come out clearly on various social media platforms in India as it is flooded with thanksgiving posts and messages praising the Sikh community for their selfless service. In Jammu, although the Gurdwara Parbhandak Committees/Board hasn’t yet started anything on ground but that hasn’t deterred many Sikh volunteer organizations like Sikh Motorcycle Club which is working to provide free packed meals to Covid patients. Many Sikh youths are continuously doing sanitization works in various areas of Jammu city. Khalsa Aid, a UK-based humanitarian relief charity, with its group of volunteers in Jammu is providing free oxygen concentrators to needy people and local administration. In addition to it, Onkar Singh ‘Bal Shakti Puraskar’ awardee from Jammu has created a website covidcarejammu.in for the people to combat Covid-19 by seeking expert medical opinion.

When the country is in the grip of the deadly second wave of Covid -19, the Sikhs have displayed courage of a warrior by coming on the frontline and humbly following the teachings of Sikh Guru Sahibs to serve humanity. This pandemic has become another shining example of the selfless service of the Sikhs in India. For Sikhs, social service is the core principle of religion and they have proved it once again when the entire healthcare system of the country is struggling. The Sikhs have stepped up to make sure no one dies until the spirit of Sikhs to serve humanity is alive. It is all this I am proud of and revere!

New Covid Appropriate Governance

India has now touched the mark of over 2.5 lakh new Covid-19 cases. These numbers reflect the growing intensity of the second wave of Covid-19. And it is rising at a magnitude which is far higher than what we saw last year after the onset of this pandemic in India. But still in India deaths per million and cases per million are among the lowest in the world. Yet that couldn’t stop the impact of Covid-19 on our healthcare system. In the past some days, there have been reports of long queues for RTPPCR tests, shortage of beds, oxygen supplies and ICU facilities in some states. With such unusual circumstances now the need is to ramp up vaccination drive and immediately expand it to other age groups including youth on the basis of needs and criticality. Young people are worried about their turn for getting vaccinated. The government should fast track and start vaccination for young people as at the current pace India will need another one year to vaccinate half of the population. Additionally, by vaccinating the young age group we will be able to reduce hospital admissions and save healthcare institutions from burden. Moreover, the second wave is infecting young people at a higher speed and in turn with this many of them are likely to infect the older people in the society who already are going through a rough passage of time. For this an urgent and renewed commitment is needed from both state and centre governments to end the dilemma around the ongoing vaccination drive.

Historical highs in terms of daily cases are reported and alongside it also the reports of vaccine shortage has come out from some places in the country. This thing is being attributed to the export of a high number of vaccine doses. Because vaccine manufacturing is a complex process so therefore export of vaccine should be stopped until vaccination objectives are achieved in India. While this all is happening in the country, some other vaccine manufacturers are still awaiting approval from experts for use in India. At this critical juncture India should clear the way for these other vaccine manufacturers at the earliest. On one hand, it is said that vaccines are not an instant cure and on the other hand shortage of vaccines in the country can definitely add to social problems. This has already affected the mental health of many with questions like: Will I get the vaccine? Will I get treatment in the hospital? Will my parents-relatives survive if I infect them? Such a situation can end only with some vital changes from the government in the vaccination plans in order to bring a sense of confidence in citizens that they haven’t been left to God’s mercy in the country.

There is no denying that in the past some days there has been a steady surge in corona virus cases, deaths and hospitalizations in Jammu and Kashmir too. It indicates that the second wave of the virus is already here like the rest of the country. However, no shortage of the vaccine till now has been reported from Jammu and Kashmir and the vaccination drive is going on with people being administered the Covishield vaccine The recent spike has led to night curfew from 10 pm to 6 am, few micro containment zones and closure of schools, colleges and universities for students in the region to curb the surging coronavirus. Even if we continue with Covid-19 appropriate behaviors, the need is also for new Covid appropriate governance which would help to tackle the spread of the virus. Although we cannot afford to let our guard down against this virus, it will take a few more months to break the pandemic. The next eight to twelve weeks will be critical and if all countermeasures are not put in place, we could end up having a situation which could be worse than last year because the new mutant of this virus is more deadly. With cases and deaths growing everywhere we all want our country to sustain and win this fight!

Covid Is Still Among Us

It was Sunday evening at around 6pm, the Gole Market and adjoining Apsara Road market of Jammu was crowded with people who were out shopping, eating and strolling. With hardly anyone wearing face masks and none following social distancing norms everything appeared very normal with no worry for Covid pandemic. This all reminded me of the similar situation prevailing in these bazaars last year. It was a déjà vu moment for me when I noticed people smiling and walking around just like they must have done during the same season of 2020. I also noticed a small number of people clicking selfies. There was nothing in these shopping areas to remind the general public that Covid isn’t over yet. With this approach, the Jammuites appeared to have switched back to a normal life by raising further risk amid ongoing pandemic.

Covid is still among us and it was shocking to note how casually everyone has started responding to it. These shopping destinations have remained deserted for months last year but I felt on that Sunday that everything has gone out of the minds of these people who, if made to recall those days, may feel depressed once again. It is not wrong to be joyous but as we aren’t yet out of the worst period in the memory of mankind we need to act diligently. We cannot say to ourselves that we are done with Covid. Think of the period last year we spent away from our comfort zones in the middle of police nakas everywhere and praying for the return of our old routines. One thing is sure that we aren’t still in our ‘old selves’ and we have to remain ready to face this harsh reality for some more months.

We discovered adaptability and our own strengths and weaknesses last year which helped us to fight this virus till now!  Cases are again rising across the country very sharply and Jammu–Kashmir is also among the places witnessing a spike in the past some weeks. After facing strict travel restrictions I think it’s again that time when we restrict our desires to go out and search shopping places. It is important that we strictly follow all safety precautions to save lives. We have started reliving our lives since last year and that vital process must continue for some more months as harsh realities of this pandemic are still running along. We all responded differently to the Covid with many among us having gone through emotional/ physical challenges initially. During panicked situations we were forced to resign from many places and positions and we supported our moves by feeling that the new normal is acceptable to me.

But why are we responding differently when we know that the fear is still valid! We need not move mindlessly in places just for leisure as Covid won’t wait for us to settle down before it takes its old shape. As the vaccination drive progresses across India, there is plenty to cover before we can celebrate our victory on Covid. For all of us who love to move around, we need to restrict ourselves for some more time and for this I have made up my mind  that I will stop visiting all these markets, malls of Jammu  for next one month except it’s an emergency situation to visit these places. Let’s admit that we changed our perspectives and lived without all this for months and prayed for the safety of our families, near and dear ones. The lockdown isn’t affordable and enjoyable so rest all things can wait.

Reorganisation Of UT

Few days back, 'The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021', was introduced in the parliament by the Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy to amend the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 that bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UT) . Although the bill was introduced to merge the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cadre of civil services officers with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre but before this bill was brought speculations went high again in entire J&K as everyone was nerved up with a thought that this bill could grant statehood back to Jammu and Kashmir. I must confess that I too had the same feeling! However, G Kishan Reddy supported this development by saying that the government was working to take J&K on the path of development.

While all this was still not over in the parliament, Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Rajya Sabha again demanded the restoration of statehood to J&K. Further, all the froth surrounding this bill settled after Union Home Minister Amit Shah while debating on the matter made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir would get the statehood back at an ‘appropriate time’. Infact people were given a signal to live with this new normal. This repetitive statement from the Union Home Minister has once again left the local politicians in J&K sulking as they will have to continue to witness Jammu and Kashmir function as a UT under the control of BJP and the Narendra Modi government seems to be in no mood to appease anyone so soon.

One thing is clear that J&K’s statehood will surely be restored one day by some government at centre but the present centre government still wants to continue with its experiments in this new UT and they may continue with this same arrangement till 2024. Besides, it appears that BJP is in no mood to empower the local politicians and wants to handle the J&K on its own until some significant changes are witnessed in this erstwhile state. In the past eighteen months, everything done to push the ‘good governance model’ is being taken up with only one focus that ‘J&K had been mismanaged’ for the past many decades. And the Kashmir centric politics and politicians who ruled Jammu and Kashmir didn’t pay much attention towards the development amid prevailing confusion and uncertainty in the social system here.

So due to this, at present the entire focus is to show ongoing development of J&K and seek global support in shaping a new future for Jammu and Kashmir. But by now many questions also remain unanswered to the people of J&K because of which the 'blink and blink again’ situation has developed on many ongoing matters. How long the gleaming, glowing and beaming presentation of Jammu and Kashmir will be done? How many more times the reorganisation of UT will happen? How much development has happened since 2014 in J&K? How much out of the ‘promised business investment’ has come? How many job opportunities have been provided to the local youth?

Government should be aware of the fact that they are being watched by the people and they cannot continue without doing much on all promised things so easily. Because if this all continues then the wait for an ‘appropriate time’ may completely turn vague and history stands testimony to the fact that many issues remained unaddressed earlier also here. With an approach of selling J&K just as a brand before foreign envoys, there is a strong reason that the long term goals for the Jammu and Kashmir won’t be achieved. The locals who dreamt of ‘acche din’ after 70- long years are thankful but they shouldn’t be taken for granted as they all also dream of going back to ‘J&K state’ in their hearts and minds!

 

2021 Registered Landmark Step

In the year 2020, the onset of Covid-19 forced all of us to break with our present, past and think of the world and our lives in a new manner. Since then our daily life has turned upside down and a little example of it these days is of walking into a bank with a mask which was earlier seen with high suspicion and risk to bank security. All those who till now have survived this pandemic can truly find the beginning of 2021 as a gateway to a new life. We all are confident by now that humanity after this pandemic won’t ever return to the world that existed in and before 2020. I say so with confidence because of having faced this vulnerability to human existence. I don’t say that what we face next in the shape of any disaster would be simple, it could be more extreme but I am sure that the world will look at it with a more rational approach and try to emerge from that also with a strong resolve. 

Our public healthcare system was tested by this pandemic and we all saw how low the entire healthcare system in the country went last year. Every segment of healthcare was put into testing and was found fighting for its survival. Now people in the country have developed a first and foremost desire for overhaul of the public healthcare system. Basically the need is to establish a universal healthcare system with a more inclusive approach for every citizen who is in need of emergency services. And this paramount step should be taken in a way that poverty doesn’t become a hindrance for getting equivalent healthcare services. 

The beginning of year 2021 registered a landmark step forward in fighting Covid-19 on January 16 with the start of vaccination drive across India. The race for Covid -19 vaccine was won all due to the tough efforts of scientists and researchers who fought against time to develop the vaccine in a record time. The start of the vaccination drive has also put to rest the ‘impotency’ rumours surrounding this vaccine. Moreover, to add enthusiasm into this drive were the healthcare workers, doctors who got themselves vaccinated with the first shot at many vaccination camps in the country. We all wanted to see viral pictures of our politicians getting the first vaccine shots in the country as that would have in true sense reduced fear and suspicion in the general public. The experts fully support the fact that every vaccine has its side-effects, but with the dose of Covid-19 vaccine being just 0.5 ml it has significantly reduced the risk of side-effects to a great extent. 

First phase of vaccination could take three to six months to complete and it appears a common healthy man may have to wait for some more months. So the responsibility still remains on us to maintain social distance and wear masks while the whole mystery surrounding this deadly virus gets decoded. With the start of the vaccination drive there appears a light at the end of the tunnel, but we are still in the middle of this tunnel. Infact even after having taken a huge initiative against the Covid-19 with indigenously developed vaccine, India continues to be under threat from the new U.K strain of Covid-19 and question remains to be answered whether we will see a spike again soon. This is now another challenge which may put us back and also make us do what we were doing a few months back. After having seen this virus, deaths and disruption lets maintain positivity in this progressive ongoing fight against Covid -19.