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“ECONOMY VS LIVES: AMERICAN APPROACH VS. INDIAN APPROACH TO COPE UP WITH COVID-19"

As this dreaded disease sweeps the world by storm every single day, forcing people to stay indoors and almost shutting down economies of the world, the whole globe has seen a significant setback in every aspect possible. While the entire world rushes to tackle this menace and bring relief in the form of complete eradication every single soul has bolted their eyes on two major powers of this world, the united states of America and the ever to magnificent India.Though the reasons why these countries are in the limelight are entirely different, with India being a particular interest due to its enormous population of almost 135.26 crores which points towards a disastrous epidemic condition in our country if things go south whereas the United States is a particular global interest due to its highly specialised medical care systems and research capabilities, but as the whole world witnessed the recent turn of events, people now say otherwise 

The current scenario

While India has a humongous population of 135.26 crores as mentioned above, the number of current confirmed cases as of today is just 52,952 which is a pretty surprising analytic considering the susceptibility of a viral disease in a country like India. Although critics are calling out the government for lower testing figures which might explain the lower actual cases number, the government of India and respective state governments deserve credit where it is due thanks to their apt mitigation strategies put forward in critical times like this where there's no time to evaluate various vital parameters to consider before taking a massive step like this. Although the situation has been a complete disaster in the USA as they have witnessed more than 1.26 million active cases as of today with a population of just 32.82 crores. This analytics, though surprising for some, is worrisome for others. What could have gone wrong in this land of dreams which most people widely regard as superior and brilliant in terms of most aspects of life and what did India do right. 

  The Indian Puzzle 

It still remains a mystery how India has very few active cases and deaths despite being a perfect breeding ground for an epidemic like this and added to all this is poor infrastructure, red-tapism, medical stigma, lower accessibility, and general unpreparedness for situations like this. It should also be noted that a vast majority of the Indian population is illiterate and lacks essential medical awareness hence cannot react to situations like this appropriately, and the rural landscape and unfortunate urban scenario is widely prevalent. Considering all of this ever since the first case showed up in South India it's tough to believe that we have managed to tackle this brilliantly all thanks to well-thought measures by state governments and support by the central government. It is also true that there are various shortcomings, such as the migrants being stranded and crowd control in urban areas. Still, these are issues that can be tackled very quickly but are only being delayed due to safety concerns, financial matters etc. Indian has also stepped up its testing, and various institutes are also working on a potential cure for this disease and students are being encouraged to actively participate in this effort. We are also witnessing a mini digital revolution as educational institutes, and corporates take their work online. They have made us realise about massive shortcomings in case of situations like this. Although the government stands with its decision of saving lives rather than the already failing economy, its people stand firm even though things might become excruciatingly painful after this crisis. Thinking deep, the only issue that we need to tackle is misinformation and fake news which India is infamous for and maybe working on this on a personal and national level will further contribute to saving lives. There's a plethora to talk about other things such as the economy, international relations and more but let's stick to the impact aspect of it. 

America's kryptonite.

We discussed everything about the Indian scenario during this crisis, but the looming question is how could 'the' superpower of the world fail. Its a question that the American government and people are asking itself as well. But what did go wrong?

 With the president halting funds to the World Health Organization(WHO) it is clear that the white house is facing an administrative issue which they are unable to get hold of which explains all the botched interviews, press reports and an obvious blame game being played from their side accusing the WHO of mismanagement and covering up the situation which most people disagree to. As a journalist said, " It took a virus to take down this socialist superpower and bring them back to their senses." and maybe it is true. Still, the USA refuses to believe so as they continue to pressurise governments of the world to export medical supplies and placing various restrictions on state companies to not ship any medical supplies. America is desperate to act, and it wants to respond soon as they want to uphold their pride, the one which probably put their people's lives at stake. The fear when this pandemic finally settles, the global portrayal will become “It was China’s authoritarian system that saved us, while the democracies of the West floundered and selfishly turned in on themselves,” humanity will emerge from this devastating crisis into a radically different and more dangerous world, one deeply hostile to freedom and self-government. This “denial and dysfunction” across the government—squandered time when the U.S. could have taken concerted steps to prepare for and contain the coming epidemic. This continued pattern of deceit and deception cost the country a "crucial hour" which could have been used for the mass mobilisation of screening and testing along with the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Global watchdogs demand a probe into this situation which might rattle the government but its necessary to correct all the deadly errors and failed strategic decisions taken due to geopolitics. Added to this fueling administration crisis are weak links in the health care systems, which are known to almost everyone and how inapproachable it is to minority groups and how the lack of lockdown measures have propelled the cases forwards. It should also be noted that groups of Americans are swarming the streets and demanding lockdown relaxations and some even asking to take them down completely, which if you ask me changes our perception on the so-called superpower of the world and its time they undergo few reforms to correct their democratic ways of running a country where lawmakers fear to question and implement its citizens.

A lesson learnt?

After a curious case study of both the countries and the prevailing situation, all we can say is the world was never ready for something like this. We've seen two contrasting cases in two dissimilar countries widely diverting from our expectations. The reality is often very different from what we perceive and believe. The authorities realise this too. Since this article is just an outlook onto the condition of both the countries in terms of the impact, it is evident that India has done a far better job, by authority or a mere coincide, that's up to you to decide. All I can say for now is we can focus on the outcomes of this because that is something that we might not be ready to handle on an individual level if not on a national scale until then stay safe and stay healthy.

[theidyllicscribbler]

“ECONOMY VS LIVES: AMERICAN APPROACH VS. INDIAN APPROACH TO COPE UP WITH COVID-19"

“ECONOMY VS LIVES: AMERICAN APPROACH VS. INDIAN APPROACH TO COPE UP WITH COVID-19″

As this dreaded disease sweeps the world by storm every single day, forcing people to stay indoors and almost shutting down economies of the world, the whole globe has seen a significant setback in every aspect possible. While the entire world rushes to tackle this menace and bring relief in the form of complete eradication every single soul has bolted their eyes on two major powers of this…

[theidyllicscribbler]

Quarantine Diaries: The ride of a lifetime

Quarantine Diaries: The ride of a lifetime

As days passed by, my anxiety grew, and I started becoming restless after being stranded almost 2000 KM away from home due to this unforeseen crisis, but deep down I knew I was going home soon.13th May was that day; I woke up to announcements and sounds of students rushing out of their rooms eager to know what’s happening. Our state government had approved all permissions for special travel…

[theidyllicscribbler]

Quarantine Diaries: The ride of a lifetime

As days passed by, my anxiety grew, and I started becoming restless after being stranded almost 2000 KM away from home due to this unforeseen crisis, but deep down I knew I was going home soon.13th May was that day; I woke up to announcements and sounds of students rushing out of their rooms eager to know what’s happening. Our state government had approved all permissions for special travel arrangements to Telangana, and I was finally going home after being stranded for almost 60 days. We packed our bags weeks ago and eagerly waited for the news, and it was finally time. Just within a few hours, we reached the local railway station in busses and waited in long lines and crowded tents while we tried to maintain social distancing. The heat was scorching, and the line moved slowly all while we listened to announcements hoping to get every bit of information. It was finally my turn, and I got my ticket and rushed into the station to board one of the coaches designated for students from my state. As I headed into my coach, all I could see is students trying to get a seat, and I somehow managed to get one with three strangers. All of us complaining about the dusty old train was the icebreaker, and we immediately started conversing because all of us knew we were in for one long ride. NGO’s were kind enough to provide us with lunch and water, and we were all set to depart. I heard a sudden burst of applauds and cheering, and I could sense the amount of sheer happiness in students.

The Journey

As the special train, I boarded started to gain momentum and headed swiftly towards the destination almost 2000km away; One sight that recurred almost every few kilometers as we passed through cities and borders was the sight of stranded migrants gushing out of their crowded ephemeral shacks excited to see trains in motion during this lockdown. For some, it was a joyful scene that evoked hope, and for others, it was just another moment of realization that they were left behind. Nevertheless, they waved at us with a wide grin, and kids cheered. This simple sight was probably the reason why all of us never whined about being hungry for 24+ hours, and the hunger and discomfort never bothered us. We were just thankful for the moment. This simple sight is something I’ll always remember as it brings so much with it. The journey wasn’t comfortable, but I had “A thousand splendid suns” by Khaled Hosseini to accompany me, and I kept switching between the view outside and the book. As I looked outside the world looked very much alive contrary to what I had expected. I could see farmers and laborers working in fields and contractors directing them. I could see factories and power plants running at full capacity oozing out gasses out of their chimneys. I could see government-funded projects being constructed in the middle of nowhere which made me realize this country isn’t at a standstill. These sights provoked thoughts in all of us as we talked about a plethora of things as we passed fields and orchards. The train moved like a prized horse and never halted at any station.

We would check our watches every few minutes and count the time left and were occasionally disappointed when we had to stop for track clearance. Slowly the sunset down, and it was pitch dark, and we’re sitting in dim light coaches with dizzy faces, sleepy heads, and hungry stomachs. All of us wanted to sleep it felt impossible. I probably napped a dozen times and always woke up with excruciating body pains which were possibly due to standing in lines the whole day. We somehow managed to take turns and fall asleep but it was short-lived. I woke up abruptly at 4 in the morning and found the whole coach to be awake but just staring at the walls and windows. I could sense despair and fatigue as their eyes flickered. It was all over soon as the sun rose and we got to witness the beautiful sight. I played some alternative indie tracks on my phone and just watched the sunrise and surprisingly fell asleep to the soothing view and music and woke up happy hours later. The hunger fueled day began, and we started our usual conversations and played mobile games to keep ourselves busy. However busy I might have been I couldn’t resist looking outside the window, sometimes for the people and sometimes for the fields. Looking at barren fields was suddenly beautiful and thought-provoking. Maybe this was the inner me looking for beauty in normal things, and I really appreciated every single blade of grass and flower I saw in the way. Yet another experience that I’ll always think about. As I headed closer and closer to my destination things felt very different, there’s was a sense of divinity and realization which I never felt earlier, things that provoke thoughts and sometimes change you as a person. I was finally at my destination and fetched a ride home and it felt like it was just an hour ago that I boarded this train. Though my body rode this train for hours, it felt like my mind took a journey through time and the experience was spiritual

The afterlife

After returning home, you get all sorts of comforts, but suddenly it felt like those comforts for just for my physical body, and my mind and soul had found its comfort hours ago. Which made me rewind through my memories of this train ride and quaky travel, and I realized travel wasn’t about visiting exotic destinations or luxury place, its always been about the journey. Whether a journey from one country to another or a journey from your home to the local store it is up to your mind and soul because life can learn from the smallest and most insignificant things ever and is during journey’s like this that you notice these bits and they become a major part of you. The physical journey and the spiritual mind traveling are never at the same pace. At any given travel journey, you are experiencing two different versions of the same travel, and if you aren’t lost, you can superimpose these experiences to create one extraordinary insight. Such was my train journey during the lockdown, insignificant yet exceptional.

[theidyllicscribbler]

Pretty Little Bird A poem by Shaik Imran

[Context: A bird born after the lockdown is unaware of the horrors of this world and refuses to believe me as I gave her a reality check while we watch the sun rise]

Pretty little bird where have you been,

On a voyage were you? Or still hatching.

 You flit around branches in peace,

Wondering about this mysterious pause,

I hate to remind you but this tranquil is a lost cause.

 A world unvarying of your ancestral evocation,

One that was made centuries before my creation,

After me came many and kept coming forever,

For your kind this was a home never.

 You search for the truth now,

To know more about this reality,

Pretty little bird it will lead you to insanity.

 The green fields and juicy dew,

Bouncy insects and flowers around you,

You're overwhelmed by this melange,

I hate to remind you but this is a mirage.

 You float free in the sky,

Looking down on dirt,

You see yourself in a stream,

And many worms to unearth.

 Listen carefully as you plead for reality,

As I shatter your bundle of hopes,

And take you into my world of insanity.

 Where your kind strives for survival,

And millions more cry in unison,

All while we crush you one at a time,

Before you could even feel the winds chime.

 Where you hide in cracks and holes,

Unable to get your children homes,

Sitting on dreaded ropes you watch,

Hoping for your loved ones to hatch.

 Where you no longer fly in flocks,

Because you fear getting locked,

Your children were stolen while you were gone,

Before you could watch them spawn. 

 Where water smelled good and looked clean,

But now all of that is dream,

A gust of wind lands a deadly blow,

Ending your kind before they could even grow.

 Where our venoms are inside you,

All while we corrupt your homes,

You eat our creations in the hope of survival,

Just to get choked by those.

 Where you sit on trees that don't breathe life,

But instead waves that vaporize,

In a world where you imagine you are wanted, 

Every single moment you are haunted.

 Where we fight in groups for you,

Rally on the streets to show the truth,

But we return to spread our poisons for tomorrow,

Not a single soul who cares for you.

We mourn your sorrow,

Yet we return to crush you tomorrow.

 I can talk for days,

About all the million sways,

Pretty little bird this is the reality,

Welcome to this insanity.

[theidyllicscribbler]

Pretty Little Bird

Picture by Hitesh Shetty (https://www.instagram.com/hitesh_shetty28)

[Context: A bird born after the lockdown is unaware of the horrors of this world and refuses to believe me as I gave her a reality check while we watch the sun rise]

Pretty little bird where have you been,

On a voyage were you? Or still hatching.

You flit around branches in peace,

Wondering about this mysterious…

[theidyllicscribbler]

The 2020 Wakeup call

Introduction

Another decade comes to an end and it has been a great one, maybe for the human race but not really for mother nature. So why not start the new year and decade with a reality check.

Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history and the rate of species extinction is accelerating with a grave impact on people around the world. Biodiversity and nature’s contributions to the people are our common heritage and humanity’s most important life-supporting ‘safety net’. But our safety net is stretched to a breaking point. Ironically Earth is shrinking and gets smaller over time.

The age of Anthropocene flourishes but doesn’t let mother nature run parallel to it. The diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems as well as many fundamental contributions we derive from nature, are declining fast, although we still have the means to ensure a sustainable future for people and the planet.

Few Facts

One Million animal and plant species are under extinction.

Three-quarters of the land-based environment and two-thirds of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions.

Talking about India:

37% of fishes in and around the Indian ocean face extinction and 90% of all large fishes have disappeared from the world’s oceans in the past half-century and the loss of key species causes ecological imbalance.

50% increase in threatened species in India alone

Lots of Indian indigenous fruit varieties are now extinct except the commercially viable ones.

28 threatened endemic mammal species out of 49.

23 threatened endemic bird species out of 74 species.

412 plant species became endangered/vulnerable.

687 animal species became endangered/vulnerable.

14% of all known bird species are endangered.

25% of all known mammals are endangered.

41% of all known amphibians are endangered.

35% of all major reptile classes are endangered

36% of all known dicot species are endangered

75% of the genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost.

Here’s a link for you to verify all this data on the official IUCN website.

There has been a 50% increase in threatened species in India alone and that is alarming. Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have degraded coastal and marine biodiversity to unprecedented levels, threatening the livelihoods of 500 million people who depend on the seas and the health of over a billion people who get their main source of protein from the oceans and seas. This vast expanse of blue also harbors ecosystems such as coral reefs that nourish as much life as our richest rainforest.

In ecosystems where 21% to 40% of the species go extinct, plant growth is expected to decrease by 5%-10% an effect comparable to climate warming, or increased UV radiation from stratospheric ozone loss. But at higher levels of extinction, the impact would be similar to acid deposition on forests, ozone pollution, and nutrient pollution. Biodiversity across ecosystems, across species and in their genetic variation is not faring well at all.

Talking about the global scenario:

At the threat of extinction are,

1 out of 8 birds

1 out of 4 mammals

1 out of 4 conifers

1 out of 3 amphibians

6 out of 7 marine turtles

75% of the world’s fisheries are fully or overexploited

Up to 70% of the worlds known species risk extinction if the global temperatures rise by more than 3.5 °C

1/3rd of reef-building corals around the world are threatened with extinction

Over 350 million people suffer from severe water scarcity

More than a third of the world’s land surface and nearly 75% of freshwater resources are now devoted to crop or livestock production

Fossil records show that current extinction levels are around 1,000 times the natural background rate. They are exacerbated by habitat loss, hunting, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species and diseases. As the area under analysis increases, we assess more species and the red book list just increases, This trend has continued for the past few years. As many as 1 million species are now at risk of extinction if we don’t act to save them; that number includes 40% of all amphibian species, 33% of all corals, and around 10% of insect species.

All these stats show how much we’ve destroyed in the past few years. This long list of species declared extinct should show you just how serious this crisis is and how the mere act of humans showing up someplace can precipitate ecological disaster. It is also said that these species are likely going to extinct before they have even been discovered.

Root Causes

The way we utilize land and sea ( Land and animal agriculture).

Direct exploitation of animals and plants and their unsustainable use.

Pollution ( Air, Water, Soil, etc)

Climate Change

Accelerated and assisted invasion of species

But it’s not as if the world does not understand the importance of biodiversity for human well being but it’s ignorance that dooms us. Loss of biodiversity is the major driving force of global change. Ecosystems are affected even if species haven’t gone extinct but just exist at a reduced abundance. This decade probably is our last shot at saving ourselves from this crisis. These magnificent creatures don’t deserve the hell we create and the way we destroy their magical homes

So what next?

It’s not all depressing. We can still act. We know the causes of the crisis and we know the solutions that can work namely conservation and consciousness. Natural speed limits constrain how quickly biodiversity can rebound after waves of extinction. Hence, the rapid extinction rates mean that it could take a long time for nature to recover. Yes, it is true that humans can do a lot to stave off a species’ extinction. We set aside more protected areas and tread through life more carefully but selective conservation does more harm than good in most cases since it is unnatural for an ecosystem ( like the conservation case of the giant panda) and hoping that leaders would help has gotten us nowhere

Have hope, if you are able, but know that it’s going to take serious, coordinated, international effort, some of which may be uncomfortably radical, in order to maintain the health of our planet and the species we share it with and thrive as a species ourselves

Since the quality of our existence is directly intertwined with biodiversity goal of setting aside half of Earth’s land and seas solely for nature. It’s ambitious, especially in the face of setbacks, like the accelerating deforestation of the rain forests, fires, etc. But we know species can be saved because it’s been done before.

Speaking up is important but what’s most important is doing something. Sweat and tears make more noise than voices and history has repeated this myriad times.

Regional and global scenarios currently lack and would benefit from explicit consideration of the views, perspectives, and rights of indigenous people and local communities, their knowledge, and understanding of large regions and ecosystems, and their desired future development pathways. Recognition of the knowledge, innovations, practices, and values of indigenous people and local communities and their inclusion in environmental governance often enhances their quality of life, as well as nature conservation, restoration, and sustainable use. Their positive contributions to sustainability can be facilitated through national recognition of land tenure, access and resource rights in accordance with national legislation, the application of free, prior and informed consent, and improved collaboration, fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use, and co-management arrangements with local communities.

We are really lucky enough to be part of a society that has a culture of conservation and protection embedded deep in its roots and we can make use of this through a collaborative effort that is partially being implemented and at this stage, it’s all about participation and action. Sometimes all we need to do is stop being ignorant and what happens next is all that matters. They say necessities bring out the best in you and this probably the one final stage where we need to act because there is no tomorrow and what happens in the next hour is uncertain. Who wants a future full of uncertainties and demise.

[theidyllicscribbler]

Photo Description

he reason why I clicked this picture is that I want to tell you a story.

A story about a person who never loses hope, a story about a person who never gives up, a story about a person who dares to wander into the unknown, a story of a prisoner who never wants to leave his stockade, I want to tell you a story about farmers.

A farmer creates an outlandish world where man meets nature, a unique amalgamation that is almost unheard of in today’s wretched world.

We have neglected the truth that a good farmer is a craftsman of the highest order, an unknown artist. The whole process is one art followed by another. from tilling the field to sowing the seeds. From birds eating insects to young cattle running around. the farmer creates all of this while carrying the burden of a thousand households.

The most delightful part of a farm is the anticipation it provides. The farmer is an optimist; he wouldn’t be one without it. He walks into a mysterious tomorrow, a familiar path that he crosses everyday unknown of what is going to happen next, either a sorrowful sight of his farm or a delightful view of his produce. He takes the risk every day and the prospect of failing never stops him. He bets all his odds against mother nature, against the winds, the soil, the rain, and the insect, he faces them all.

The farm has become an integral part of him.

My parents used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, or a priest but every day, three times a day you need a farmer.

A farmer is not a person or an occupation. It is a lifestyle. It is a way of living and a richness that you can call your own. There is a farmer in all of us waiting to create all while knowing the uncertainty of the concealed tomorrow.

I am not a great photographer but I wanted to tell you this story.

[theidyllicscribbler]

The COViD-19 Wakeup call

As the whole country unites to applaud and expresses their gratitude towards our nation's heroes because they deserve every bit of it for their extraordinary service for this nations upkeep and prosperity but is this nation doing enough for them in return when all they ask for is a utility to achieve their objectives for our greater good.

While we are blinded by futile labeling of basic and necessary non-pharmaceutical interventions to tackle this dreaded disease, a plethora of setbacks and horrors unknown to the common eye burden the health care community as they scream for help on the eve of this unforeseen situation where we lack proper testing facilities, ventilators, screening protocols, safety measures, quarantine facilities, OPD's, underpaid staff, bailout packages, and the list goes on and on. There have also been reports of doctors and staff testing positive for COVID-19 because of the formerly mentioned issues and that is something unimaginable and scary tbh. As epidemiologists and the whole health care community warns us about what's coming next yet we decide to live in denial and this ridicules me. Yet the healthcare community refuses to stop as they try to overcome these hurdles.

This crisis is going to increase manifolds if we fail to act responsibly especially with the infamous Indian mindset and ecosystem which is a breeding ground for falsified information and fake news (trust me we love situations like this ) and added to that is ignorance and I can't believe people are actually capitalizing on this scenario and this says a lot about us as a county where we count on imbeciles with power and give them lots of credibilities. Well tbh we are used this but the current scenario is such that we can't afford to fuck this up because we only get one chance this time and our lives are at stake. Stay safe, follow the right protocols from the right sources, stick together, and if possible do donate either monetarily or important resources within your community.