Internal migration - The tragedy that shook the nation
Updated: Jul 30, 2020
March 28, 2020
I think the underlying issue of 'I know what's good for you' will continue to haunt us.
Unfortunately it's the poor and under privileged that have been facing the economic backlash of all these decisions. Well-to-do Indians stuck abroad were sent planes to be brought back to their homes though they were primarily the risk population, why doesn't a poor man get a chance to go home to his family? (It's possible though that we are in third stage and the virus is in the community in spite of the authorities claiming otherwise). My issue is high-handedness and unfairness based on economic status. If anyone doesn't see it because they are in the comfort of their homes and cribbing about working from home, they may not be able to understand the pain of those who are daily wagers and away from the family. It doesn't make them right, just shows their aloofness and inability to empathize.
May 10, 2020
My take is that given our experiences in the recent past, no plan is a good plan and it will not be implemented anyways.
May 10, 2020
On a more serious note, we are in a place akin to ‘gale mein kata’ Even In more controlled environment like a business environment we struggle to put down a policy that is clearly understood and implementable. Managing it at a national level needs a different level of caliber and character and we seem to be lacking both. I see this going the direction of - To each his own. People will very soon take the initiative back from the government once they realize the futility of the whole thing. The level of disparity is just widening on how different people are experiencing the lockdown. So flood gates will have to be opened or they will give way. Poetically, we are looking at a scenario of moving from lockdown to breakdown.
May 12, 2020
We have failed to stand as one nation. Harsh as it may sound and thali banging and aartis not withstanding, we are showing up our differences more than our unity. Our obsession with dividing ourselves up by caste, class, religion, etc will be coming back to hit us.
May 14, 2020
This is a discussion on ethics and not a political discussion, I presume. If we cannot empathize with the poor that got stranded, with no ability to get home while on the other hand we chartered planes to bring people back then it just goes to prove the hollowness of our charitable character. Shashi Tharoor was rightly trolled for calling economy section of the flight as cattle class and here we are herding a whole section of society as if they are merely a factor of production. Hypocrisy died a thousand death.
Mat 15, 2020
When part of our own society is treated with such apathy and we wash our hands to leave them alone to survive, I am sure those village based Indians would be wondering if this is what ‘social distancing’ or ‘samajik doori’ meant. Can there be a more appalling example of ‘social distancing’? We are going through one now!
May 16, 2020
Isn’t this literally a case of ‘social distancing’?
Are there NGOs that are engaged in supporting them? Would like to know. Thanks.
May 16, 2020
Posting it from another FB post -
* if you can return, you will definitely return to settle your city. *
* but do not stop me today, just let me go now. . *
I myself used to burn the fetters of your factory,
I was used to make your aṭṭālikāyēṁ in the sun.
I kept myself in the dark, to burn your lamp.
I tolerate every oppression to make india self-reliant.
I am broken from the bandiśōṁ of the society.
I am scattered from the enemies of life.
I also had a dream to eat the whole stomach.
But even water is not lucky to shed two drops of tears.
I also call my soil in sadness.
My old parents look at my way.
I also have to repay my soil debt.
I don't have to deliver the old age to my parents.
I will measure on the ulcers of a hundred yojana feet.
I will walk on the bank by keeping munna.
But now I will not stop in the sun in the sun.
I am walking towards my destination.
* if you have erased in the soil of my village, then I will understand the *
* and if I could return, I would definitely return to settle your city. *
* but do not stop me today, just let me go now. . *
May 16, 2020
It has to hit us hard. I am angry at myself and everyone who is not seeing the human tragedy unfolding in front of our very eyes. Intellectual defensiveness is all I see. This is a Frankenstein that we have created.