Aftermath of Diwali saw an increase in positive cases of Covid in India which inversely shows people graciously took a mile from the inch given to them
The festive season of Diwali is over but not the season of festivals. December marks the arrival of Christmas, the biggest festival celebrated with much ardour and ebullience all over the world. But since the pandemic has overshadowed the country, every celebration is marred by fear of life and death and by uncertainty and worry.
Pandemic as a bird of ill-omen had shrouded the gayety of Diwali celebrations in India into dullness and doldrums. It had made the chandelier of festival short of many bulbs of excitement. But the belief that Diwali is a festival of lights which heralds the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance will always remain immortal.
Unfortunately, the ignorance still prevails so far as the pandemic and the treat and perils of Coronavirus is concerned. Coronavirus is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. When people got it straight from the horse’s mouth that unless a cure or a vaccine is available to combat the dreaded virus, they should not let their guard down. Everyone is supposed to get in the same boat of following the safety norms and row together day in and day out.
Since day one people were told about the need of a lifestyle overhaul that would not only keep themselves safe but their near and dear ones as well. But the golden key of knowledge in this regard has gone the way of the dinosaurs. People, like the beleaguered Donald Trump, still believe in old wives’ tales that the virus is a hoax.
The aftermath of Diwali has shown an increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in most of the states in India which inversely shows people graciously took a mile from the inch given to them through unlock-5 without giving a damn to other people’s lives. And the scenario will not be different in December being the festive as well as the winter season in full swing, if carelessness is given another chance to dance in the arena of calamity.
The unprecedented step taken by the Goa government to open the schools does warrant a serious second opinion when the schools in the other parts of the country are being closed down. Most of the countries the world over are reluctant to open academic institutions at this time. Time is fragile to throw caution to the winds, a knowledge which should travel to the minds of the authorities.
The atmosphere is still redolent of pandemic and the SOPs laid down by the government while opening the schools cannot transmogrify parents’ fears into cheers. Online classes with curtailed syllabus and online exams for this academic year is the best option to wake up and smell the ashes. Once the toothpaste is out of the tube it will be too late to run after the train of hope that has already left.
It is true that if all you have is a hammer everything will look like a nail. The ignorance regarding the Coronavirus is alarming as is displayed everywhere when you see crowded places, buses, markets, malls and rallies being held without social distancing and with masks below the noses or no masks at all. This ignorance needs to be dispelled before the snowflakes get melted.
In a country like India where unity in diversity may at times seem like evanescent, the ignorance of real democracy should not dwell in the minds of its citizens especially the generation of students. The values of democracy will be a far cry if they are made to believe that the politicians destroy the country, the doctors destroy health, universities destroy knowledge, lawyers destroy justice, religion destroys morals and banks destroy the economy.
(The writer is a Commerce and Law graduate, Goan writer and Goa State Youth Awardee)
