In his recent monthly “Mann ki bath” radio monologue, our Hon’ble PM exhorted to rear swadeshi breeds of dog, in more numbers and make more number of swadeshi toys to meet the domestic and global markets for toys. This country has far more serious problems than inadequate numbers of swadeshi dogs and toys. Just 3/4 days ago we have also seen him feeding peacocks and peahens on the lawns of his residence. Most of his countrymen are not in the fortunate position he is in, to emulate him and feel light-hearted. Here he can as well take the credit that he has thought out of the box, in telling to rear more Indian dogs and manufacture more Indian toys to his pet theme “Atmanirbhar Bharath” But I fail to understand how the two endeavours will in themselves go to alleviate the distress caused by Covid19, contain the spread of the disease, revive the economy halt, loss of jobs and create new jobs in any significant measure?
Instead, Central and state governments should construct new government hospitals rather than statues, temples, parliament buildings, and secretariats. While states want to build their bungalows and secretariat. Neither of them is interested in building new hospitals and infrastructure for schools. Even to this day, many government schools have no adequate toilets separately for ladies /gents. We have been seeing how horrible the situation is in government hospitals, with no beds, no proper toilets, no infrastructure. Disheartening images of inpatient wards inundated in Hyderabad, water falling from the roof on the patients in Bareilly government hospital, pigs roaming inside one hospital in Bangalore, and many more.
Every one knows Corporate hospitals and schools bribe political parties for not developing government schools and hospitals. I'm afraid it will take more concrete steps to get Corona patients treated than clapping or lighting a candle. They get the right treatment only if we have enough hospitals and doctors in the public sector. This is the time to learn lessons, looking at the grim COVID situation in government hospitals. Both Central and state governments should realise and start construction of medical colleges and hospitals, and improve infrastructure adequately so that the poor and middle-class citizens get some relief and we are geared to deal with such situations in the future.
