India First

Do We Need Aarogya Setu? As COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe over the last few months, governments across the world have had to absorb a flood of information from a 360° window, probably 24 hours a day, and have taken series of decisions to protect their nations’ populations from the dreaded infection. Among the many progressively enforced measures have been restrictions on travel, socialising, commuting, maintaining personal hygiene, and finally lockdowns in many countries. India was the first country to impose a nationwide lockdown, which has been extended twice, with some relaxation in rules being introduced in the second and third lockdowns. Even before the pandemic hit India, Government of India (GoI) has been severely attacked across the political spectrum and beyond for having let the economy go into a tailspin. Irrespective of whether the attacks were exaggerated or accurate, everyone will agree that the lockdown has dealt a body blow to the economy, even as one ne...

COVID-19 – the difficult journey and the uncertainties ahead Increasingly over the last few months the growing stranglehold of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) and the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over humanity have grabbed headlines and mind space across the world. A couple of generations of people perhaps have not experienced a global crisis as widespread and as impactful as this one. While the region of its origin is certain, there’s lack of clarity so far on the cause of its spread. What did India do? In a hyperconnected world, perhaps no country would be lucky enough to stay free of this virus. The   first case in the world was reported on 31-Dec-19, and India reported its first on 30-Jan-20. Seven weeks on it had jumped to an alarming 468 . While its spread in India ensured daily reporting in media, Government of India (GoI) too was taking it seriously. It issued advisories on social distancing , use of masks , large gatherings and home quara...