Very often there are instances where those mentoring and guiding others on Covid discipline, and in leadership positions turn out to be offenders themselves. The Indian cricket team which is celebrating its sensational fourth test win against England has new reasons to worry. While coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Shridhar tested positive, all eyes are now on team captain Virat Kohli after he attended a packed book launch event in London last week.
It is unfortunate that senior members of the team, including Kohli who shoulders a major responsibility of leading the side, has acted very so casually and irresponsibly mindful of the fact that his actions could risk the lives of other colleagues in the team, and throw a web of uncertainty over the remainder of the tour. If bio-bubble breaches are made by coaches and captains themselves at the highest level of the sport, it speaks volumes of a failed system.
There is a clear breach of protocol despite explicit instructions from the BCCI secretary Jay Shah to every team member to exercise restraint and refrain from attending events, so where is the accountability? Ironically, cricketers are least expected to take such chances given the background of what happened to the cash-rich Indian Premier League in May where the BCCI was forced to postpone the cricket tournament after the virus breached the bio-bubble. The tournament is now rescheduled to September and shifted to the UAE.
Goa faces a similar situation where senior leaders are breaching protocol which they are vehemently preaching. While government officials and senior political leaders in the Opposition are urging caution ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, political protests and rallies are seen in full flourish. How does one explain the mass gatherings at meetings -- whether it is at Shiroda or the Congress protest against the CM? Where are the SOPs and Covid protocol? Where is the responsibility of those vouching to be guardians and representatives of the people?
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has asked people to indulge in the promotion and awareness of Covid vaccination during the festival while he eyes an October-end deadline to complete the vaccination process. He advised caution and expressed readiness with the infrastructure needed to fight a new wave. While these bring positive vibes, it is equally important that leaders across the political landscape walk their talk, otherwise, this will go down as sheer hypocrisy at its mischievous best.
Ganesh is one of the most loved and much-awaited festivals in Goa. The festivity is deeply ingrained in people, and there are chances that people could get carried away despite the looming threat. The overall festival season begins, a time where discipline will be at the test. It is here that leaders across the spectrum have to lead by example and exercise restraint first.
Kerala is in the grip of a virus surge forcing the administration to rush back to the drawing board and enforce clampdown, and it has triggered alarm bells in other States as well. Goa needs to be cautious in its celebrations.
