Trigger warning: Covid deaths
It’s heartbreaking to see India in such a pitiful condition. People have been dying the worst kind of death in the country. Nothing can be done when lungs fail to function and absorb oxygen. Oxygen cylinders are the only life saviour in such a situation, but surprisingly, they are not available in most of the Covid sections in city hospitals. The failure of our medical sector stands at the forefront in the list of factors to blame. This whole hierarchy of crooks begins from national leaders, politicians and officials who could have done a little bit more during the first alarm of Covid-19 last year.
The terrible breakdown of medical facilities last year was a warning enough to make medical management better in the country. Practically nobody from our leaders cared, the result of which is that life looks like an apocalypse movie today. We are living in uncertain times, we all know. But much of it could have been prevented. The second wave of the pandemic could have been stopped, provided that we had learned from our mistakes during the first wave. We as an organisation must condemn this type of work conducted by the ruling party.
My best friend lost her mother due to difficulty in breathing. The condition in Delhi is the worst in our country. She had posted a status asking where she could find an oxygen cylinder for emergency. I saw her status in the morning after her mother had passed away. Aunty was the one who would send me medicines and decoctions (kadha) whenever I would be sick in the hostel. It is not just us who have lost our loved ones, but there are thousands and thousands of cases.
All this is happening to us when the whole world is getting back to normal. Israel is officially Covid-free. People can even roam outside without a mask. China has been able to defeat Covid despite all the criticism. All the countries are coming forward to help our so-called self-reliant (atmanirbhar) nation. We are receiving oxygen cylinders from Pakistan.
After water, oxygen has become the new luxury, even though they are natural resources. Water is already sold in packaged bottles, and now, oxygen will also be served in cylinders.
At a time when our leaders should own up to their mistakes, they are sending warning letters to Australian news platforms for accusing them of spoiling their reputation. Is this the type of development we have been looking for all this while? I would say bring back my bad old days.