Draconian Lockdown and Coronavirus 

~~Sumon Mukhopadhyay 

Indian has perhaps adopted the Chinese model to contain the spread of coronavirus. But China is a communist country where state plays a major role in providing social security to its citizens. In comparison, even after around 6 years of Narendra Modi's rule, our economy is in shambles. During,  the NDA government's rule the Indian economy has gone from bad to worse. 

Recently the FM has spoken about Rs.1.70 lakh crore package for the poor and distressed. This has made the Sensex and Nifty rally. While apparently this may look good on papers, but with factories closing down and government distributing free cash, we could be heading toward a demand pull inflation if this Lockdown continues beyond 15th April,  2020.

Already, the price of essential commodities have started to inch up and this is likely to get more severe in the coming days, as India starts to grapple with no fresh production from factories. 

Moreover, daily laborers are already having a tough time,  after the collapse of the Agriculture, Real Estate, Gems & Jewelry and Textile Sectors -- the four prominent pillars of employment generation. India under Narendra Modi's rule is not able to compete with small countries like Bangladesh,  South Korea and Vietnam in the field of textiles. 

While Indian population has grown by leaps and bounds during the last 6 years of NDA rule, the government has failed to bring in strict policy measured to contain the flood. Now, with CAA coming into force we could see further uptick in population graph, if the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians starts to migrate to India -- we have perhaps shot ourselves on the foot. The ideal condition should have been to grant all those who have been declared as D - voters with a warning that any further influx from the neighbouring countries will be pushed back. 

Meanwhile,  though Narendra Modi continued to blame the Congress party for all the ills in India, his own boat didn't perform well in high seas, with GDP growth plummeting to below 5% in a decade. I feel he would continue to maintain hard anti - Congres stance because that sells well in India. 

The question also,  which is often not talked about is that India has three tier system to Adress the needs and aspirations of people:

#State List 

#Union List

#Concurrent List. 

How come Narendra Modi continues to blame the congress party when it is non existent in states like Bengal and Tamil Nadu since ages, is a question, to be answered. A large part of the GST goes to the states for the implementation of their policies. Hence,  I feel it is a big LIE that Congress Party is the epitome of all problems in India. 

Switching topic let me tell you, that I feel this economic package is inadequate for a large group of poor people who survive on daily wages. 

Moreover, with the factory production going zero, the GST collections is also likely to hit new lows, which will force the NDA government to borrow more to plug the fiscal deficit. 

In such a scenario, I feel Lockdown for a prolonged period is a sure shot prescription for disaster. 

The other day I was in Tarapur Industrial area near Boisar, I never witnessed such quietness and tranquility as the wheels of factories came to a grinding halt. 

In other words Physical Isolation is perhaps not the right strategy for India, where there are no social protection schemes, for the daily laborers. Moreover, if MDR Tuberculosis pathogens are not able to do much harm to India, how much will Coronavirus do,  is a matter of conjecture. 

Till this report is being penned there were 694 cases of coronavirus and 16 deaths. This figure is very small considering India having to house a population of around 135 crore -- that pales when we consider the figures in Italy,  Spain and the US to name a few, with a much smaller population. We are perhaps panicking more than we should.. 😮😮

If we go by the figures then 2.56 million people died from pneumonia in 2017. The NHP recorded 41,996,260 cases and 3,740 deaths from acute respiratory infections across India in 2018. In 2017, acute respiratory infections accounted for 69% of the total cases of communicable diseases and caused 23% of such deaths.

The current figures of death due to Coronavirus epidemic is nothing as compared to the above numbers. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to ape the west without thinking for a minute that India has very fragile economic conditions and further tormenting the parameters could force it into severe pain, which may take long - long time to come back to form. 

Therefore, I would suggest the NDA government to not to extend the timeline beyokd 31 March,  2020, instead the government should suggest methods to make our immune system very strong so that it can work as bulwark, again deadly Coronavirus.

I feel that it is high time that the NARENDRA Modi government starts distributing  Vitamin C free, which is out of market in most Medical Stores in Bombay. The government should set up teams of doctors to do daily check ups of factory workes so that any new case is nipped in the bud and production can start again. 

Anyway, I have started taking these multivitamin tablets from today, after a chemist prescribed its name; when I asked for A to Z from Alkem Laboratories Ltd. The price of latter has shot up from Rs.84 to Rs.110 in matter of few months. This is a cheap Vitamin costing only Rs.30.85 for 15 tablets. Only problem seems to be the size of Tablets. I would suggest you not to swallow them upright but break into two parts; if you are not habituated to gulping such large tablets. 

You can also think of Recovit from Lupin Labs. I used to take it regularly, earlier. 

This is the new brand for me and quite cheap. This also has 150 mg of vitamin C necessary for re-energizing your immune system. 

My suggestions:

1. Take at least 500 mg of Vitamin C for 15 days OR

2. Take a multivitamin which has at least 150 mg of Vitamin C. 

3. Don't exert yourself too much, take adequate rest.

Take agood food (Dal - Rice, Butter and Boiled Potato or any vegetable or boiled Chana is good food. There is no need to run after milk and/or eggs at this time ).

4. Avoid HALAL Chicken or Mutton. Don't eat Fish or Turtle meat. 

5. Take lot of water and remain busy in work, instead of gossiping whole day on Coronavirus. 

Be Healthy and be  Happy!! God bless you all... 🙏🙏

P. N: Please do consult your physician or doctor before taking any of the above (mentioned) medicines.