P. A. Chacko
The world is in a psychological trauma today. The unprecedented invasion of COVID 19 pandemic has unnerved people, nations and institutions.
A tiny virus has kept us gyrating in fright. We see our beloved ones departing and we watch from a distance without being able to have our loving presence at the parting time.
We have been experimenting with techniques and technologies to become more powerful nations with arsenal and material wealth. We use our laboratories for weird and wanton experiments for our selfish needs and hidden agenda.
We had gone power hungry. We thought we can buy politics with our pocket power and subjugate people under our feet. We connived with unholy elements to pander to our religious fundamentalism and nationalistic mania.
But then, a tiny virus has done the rest. With its raising its head, we run for shelter as if in a carpet bomb shelling. Our megalomaniac power hunger dashes to dust. Our wealth remains rotten because we don’t share with the deprived neighbour.
We begin to think, could there not be a Super Power beyond all this to erase this tiny virus. The agnostic in us begins to wake up. Some of us scramble to wake up the Creator God with clanging bells and beating kitchen utensils. Many become fervent netizens and invoke God’s mercy online.
Meanwhile, poverty is on the rise. Business has taken a beating. Jobholders find themselves in a jobless quandary. Daily labourers are forced to drum on their empty stomachs.
Health workers are overstrained. Streams of coffins roll out in front of their eyes. Students are in solitary confinement without the presence of teachers and friends. Limited number at prayer gatherings, weddings and last rites! Housewives are distressed wondering how to feed their families. Those working from homes get midnight calls to report latest entries.
Covid has occupied all our space. Even normal patients with varied ailments do not get needed treatment. Cost of medicine and treatment has gone sky high. We are fed with fake news and fake remedies on social media.
Depressing scenario? May be! But, time to fight this menace and its byproducts together. We need to improve on human solidarity. Cast and creed shall not divide us. Politics of hate needs a surgical treatment. Governments should welcome suggestions and observations from citizens to improve upon the situation.
Human solidarity with the neighbour is a big remedy. Who is that neighbour? One in need!
Heed the call of the hour!