P. A. Chacko SJ
Has Corona become a multi-billion concern? It seems so. Concerned people are alert. The CEOs of Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Facebook and such others are pooling their efforts and coming forward to offer a big hand of human solidarity at this juncture when this viral pandemic has invaded our planet. They do not want humans to die like flies. A fitting remedy needs to be found out. They are funding projects for research, remedial measures, curative programs and the like.
The juncture is critical. Imagine a tiny virus has instilled the fear of death in people’s hearts. It has planted terror amidst the humans. It is reported that, if it is given a free hand, it can wipe out this planet’s human existence. Developed countries with latest weapons and technology are the worst affected.
Streets are deserted. Temples and mosques, gurudwaras and churches, shrines and prayer halls are empty. People are withdrawing into the inner sanctuary of their lives to seek out their creator or their innermost self to query if there is salvation. Online rituals are becoming a big attraction.
Those, who had advocated murderous attacks on people with a dissenting voice in India, are preaching social distancing. Not just physical distancing, eh? Do not touch or get near others. Otherwise Covid can kill you. Keep off. Those, who had engaged in lynching people who had a different religious belief or ideology, are themselves in mortal fear of a tiny germ and have gone hiding after laying down their weapons.
Where the police and the law makers and even the temple of justice demonstrated their impotency, a tiny virus has effectively achieved. Keeping people apart. Do not harm others by consciously spreading the virus. Criminals have gone hiding.
Physical distancing is a must. People cannot afford to get this deadly virus into their system, nor should they harm others by infecting. But it must be remembered that moral bonding has to go alongside ‘social’ distancing. That is what the angels of mercy are doing. Daring doctors and compassionate health workers. Risking their lives to assist and assuage the affected and the afflicted, to care for and cure the victims. Moral bonding! Yes, that is what is demonstrated by the tech industry by offering billions of dollars and technical support for caring and curing, for research and remedial measures.
Social distancing and clapping hands from balconies or beating kitchen utensils in the streets may have a purpose. But, the multi-billion question is, will those rich gentlemen and ladies, Bollywood stars and billionaires who waved from skyscraper balconies ever care to part with a portion of their wealth to finance health programs to avert the viral pandemic? Perhaps they do. Many must be realizing that hoarding has no merit. Should not the Indian government get back our wealth looted from banks by anti-social elements who are cooling their heels across the seven seas? P M Modi is well-intentioned to ask every Indian to donate to the relief fund. But where are those who spirited away with the nation’s wealth?
This is not the time to hide our heads and cool our heels. Should not empty churches and temples be converted into healing centers where God can become human? Train compartments are being converted for emergency needs. Where are the once roaming terror-provoking political volunteers and hate- spewing loud-mouths? Isn’t this the right time to learn and practice moral bonding and earn spiritual healing?
Let Corona, that has terrorized man and woman, rich and poor, the mighty and the common man, teach us a wholesome lesson or two that, on this planet, we are all equal. We are equal in vulnerability and in dignity as well. If this simple lesson is learnt from this deadly virus, we shall be building a human community without walls. Then we shall learn to build bridges, not temples and shrines of arrogance. We shall no more terrorize people and weaponize our planet. Let us all remain hopeful that this crisis will pass away and that we shall, in near future, build a community in human fellowship.