Finally managed to watch PM Modi's address to the nation before declaring lockdown for 21 days.
Few observations:
1. Unlike his previous speeches, it was concise. Mostly without beating around the bush.
2. Adequate emphasis on the global danger of Corona virus ( not going to write novel/ serotypes etc.every time, we all know that)
3. Practically trying to scare the entire nation with the danger of going back 21 years if the lockdown in not taken with utmost sincerity.
4. Completely ignoring the failures of a government in power since 2014
a. Practically non existent testing protocols in place ( not talking about kits etc. even a proper protocol in place, the AIIMS one is garbage, a first year medical student can come up with something like that)
b. Not a single word about building infrastructure rapidly ( the same guy boasted about 3 trillion economy, I'm sure neither he, nor his mantris including our FM can tell how many zeroes are there in 3 trillion)
5. Finally not a single word of reassurance about maintenance of a sustainable delivery chain of essentials.
Now what happened over next 72 hours:
1.FM briefing about things on reduced penalties on late tax payments etc.
2.Some promised life insurance policies for HCPs
3. 1-6 thousand INR promised to registered labourers, factory workers, farmers etc.etc.
Now time to ask a few questions:
1. Life insurance for the most exposed population is a good gesture. But it is there in place in every non banana republics. It's nothing to cheer for. Isn't it a country's responsibility.
2. The life insurance total amount sounds pretty good but statistically less than 5% family will have to apply for it and God knows how many would actually get it. What about some real relief measures?
3. I may be wrong, but this step was more for the optics, less for anything else. As the government don't have to pay anything now and they can delay the actual payment indefinitely. Is this only optics?
4.BJP is the biggest and possibly the richest political party in the entire world, however can they not spare a penny to buy PPE?
5. Government can clamp down the huge corporates operating in India and force them to cough up money for the nation. Why it's not happening? Answer to this is easy.
They possibly can't, as the same party has milked them dry to win the elections. And next election is the bigger priority for our PM.
So basically PM Modi and his team mates have given us a 21 days of lock down to hide their weakness and incapabilities and Corona kind of helped them. Nehru will soon be replaced by Corona and soldiers at Siachen by doctors, nurses etc.
Sure, it is not a time for politics. And I do not know anything about politics.
These are views of a common Indian with average education who left India 5 years ago.
Now I know, no other country would tolerate demonitization, the GST circus, 2g hoax etc. and still believe in what Modi says.
Few observations:
1. Unlike his previous speeches, it was concise. Mostly without beating around the bush.
2. Adequate emphasis on the global danger of Corona virus ( not going to write novel/ serotypes etc.every time, we all know that)
3. Practically trying to scare the entire nation with the danger of going back 21 years if the lockdown in not taken with utmost sincerity.
4. Completely ignoring the failures of a government in power since 2014
a. Practically non existent testing protocols in place ( not talking about kits etc. even a proper protocol in place, the AIIMS one is garbage, a first year medical student can come up with something like that)
b. Not a single word about building infrastructure rapidly ( the same guy boasted about 3 trillion economy, I'm sure neither he, nor his mantris including our FM can tell how many zeroes are there in 3 trillion)
5. Finally not a single word of reassurance about maintenance of a sustainable delivery chain of essentials.
Now what happened over next 72 hours:
1.FM briefing about things on reduced penalties on late tax payments etc.
2.Some promised life insurance policies for HCPs
3. 1-6 thousand INR promised to registered labourers, factory workers, farmers etc.etc.
Now time to ask a few questions:
1. Life insurance for the most exposed population is a good gesture. But it is there in place in every non banana republics. It's nothing to cheer for. Isn't it a country's responsibility.
2. The life insurance total amount sounds pretty good but statistically less than 5% family will have to apply for it and God knows how many would actually get it. What about some real relief measures?
3. I may be wrong, but this step was more for the optics, less for anything else. As the government don't have to pay anything now and they can delay the actual payment indefinitely. Is this only optics?
4.BJP is the biggest and possibly the richest political party in the entire world, however can they not spare a penny to buy PPE?
5. Government can clamp down the huge corporates operating in India and force them to cough up money for the nation. Why it's not happening? Answer to this is easy.
They possibly can't, as the same party has milked them dry to win the elections. And next election is the bigger priority for our PM.
So basically PM Modi and his team mates have given us a 21 days of lock down to hide their weakness and incapabilities and Corona kind of helped them. Nehru will soon be replaced by Corona and soldiers at Siachen by doctors, nurses etc.
Sure, it is not a time for politics. And I do not know anything about politics.
These are views of a common Indian with average education who left India 5 years ago.
Now I know, no other country would tolerate demonitization, the GST circus, 2g hoax etc. and still believe in what Modi says.
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