Faultines have again emerged within a divided Congress- this time over the Coronavirus pandemic. Impressed with Modi government’s swift and effective response to the Wuhan virus, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Anand Sharma told TOI, “I am fully satisfied with the steps taken by the government and with our preparedness to check the coronavirus.”
Former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram too is impressed by Modi government’s response. He tweeted, “The battle against coronavirus has been ‘so far, good’, but can we do more? Positive COVID-19 cases have jumped from 31 to 84 in one week. Some State governments have announced partial lockdowns. Time for central government to reflect on more measures.”
The battle against coronavirus has been ‘so far, good’, but can we do more?
Positive COVID-19 cases have jumped from 31 to 84 in one week. Some State governments have announced partial lockdowns. Time for central government to reflect on more measures.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 15, 2020
While these two leaders have hailed the Modi government, the Gandhi scion has been unduly critical of the Modi government in his efforts to trigger unnecessary panic about the Coronavirus pandemic. Even professional pessimists like Shashi Tharoor have slammed the government over “inadequate measures” to contain Coronavirus.
The Corona Virus is an extremely serious threat to our people and our economy. My sense is the government is not taking this threat seriously.
Timely action is critical.#coronavirus https://t.co/bspz4l1tFM
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 12, 2020
The government has, in fact, taken a number of steps in its multi-faceted approach to combat COVID-19. On one hand, the Modi government has successfully rescued its citizens from Wuhan virus-hit countries, something that has won the praise of even the United States, showing how much the government cares for its citizens. Till now, India has evacuated 1,182 of its citizens from Coronavirus-hit countries, including 234 Indian nationals evacuated recently from Iran.
234 Indians stranded in #Iran have arrived in India; including 131 students and 103 pilgrims.
Thank you Ambassador @dhamugaddam and @India_in_Iran team for your efforts. Thank Iranian authorities.— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 14, 2020
The safety & security of citizens is of the utmost importance, especially in challenging times. Pleased to see @IAF_MCC deploying @Boeing C-17s to evacuate Indian citizens back home. This unique aircraft has greatly enhanced #India’s disaster response capabilities. AGW https://t.co/V4qsVjZuSG
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) March 10, 2020
On the other hand, India has been cautious with incoming foreigners as strict screening measures have been enacted at the airports. Flying bans were imposed promptly to prevent arrival of travellers from the Wuhan virus-hit countries.
https://twitter.com/MajorPoonia/status/1238355397108314113?s=20
Moreover, the government has been agile in taking quarantine measures and those who came into contact with confirmed cases were tested to avoid a sudden spike in the spread of Coronavirus within India.
In fact, Modi government has quarantined India from the rest of the world by suspending all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Orgs, employment, project visas till 15 April 2020.
On a global level too, India has been responding promptly. PM Modi was the one who got the SAARC on board to join hands in combating the Wuhan virus. His outreach also won praise from the rest of the countries in the regional grouping. And now India has also contributed 10 million US Dollars for COVID-19 emergency fund.
Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it.
South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020
At the domestic level, India has become only the fifth country to isolate the COVID-19 virus strain bringing it closer towards finding a vaccine for the Wuhan virus. In Jaipur, a team of doctors at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital have successfully treated an Italian patient using a combination of HIV, swine flu and malaria drugs. India has clearly taken the lead in finding a cure to the novel Coronavirus.
It is clear that Modi government has not only taken cognisance of the pandemic, but has also responded in an extraordinary and unprecedented manner, something that even opposition leaders find hard to ignore.
