An Overall Covid-19 Assessment And Its Impact On India

ABSTRACT:

The Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) across many countries has caused immense loss to the lives of people and it has been termed as a pandemic by the WHO[1]. Even though the government is grasping at straws for the vaccine, there is only a hope but no definite answers to this. As of now the only weapon to face this is physical distancing and lockdown. These circumstances will have a direct impact on the people, their mindsets, societal behaviour patterns, economy which sequentially lead to various complications and India happens to be a rich country inhabited by poor people, this reason itself is a stumbling block for the government to act grimly like most developed countries. We are indeed witnessing an intriguing moment in the nation’s political life, where the central and state governments are truly showcasing the spirit of federalism with a sense of positive criticism. This shows unity, it shows how the world is interconnected and everybody learns lessons about taking care of each other when it is needed the most.

In this article, as a budding lawyer, an overall assessment of how the central government and state governments worked hand in hand in this crisis is made along with understanding medical and sanitation workers role and social impact on their lives and short comings in this arena. Further elucidating the role of AI and use of technology to overcome this crisis efficiently, and a case study comparing Indian technology with other countries is made in order to understand drawbacks and our limitations. Finally speaking of the devil, when all of this comes to a halt, a critical analysis on post covid-19 lockdown is projected on three E’s, which are Economy, Education and Environment.

INTRODUCTION

This article is an overall assessment of the crisis and can be typically classified into three aspects on which it throws light upon:

[A] Things we can learn from this situation,

[B] Shortcomings faced in the situation/ Things we should have avoided in this situation,

[C] Strategies/ Things we need to adopt post lock down.

[A][1] COVID-19’S BREEZE OF LIFE INTO THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE OF THIS NATION.

Federalism is a system of government in which powers have been divided between the centre and its constituent parts such as states or union territory by the constitution.

As an anxious nation waited and watched the world fall victim to Covid-19, If there is one positive that the Indian polity can take away from this crisis is the renewed focus on the tenants of Federalism. While not denying that the question of resource transfers or constitutional division of powers is important, this article focuses primarily on the politics of centre–state relations.

Public health and sanitation is a subject under the state list, where the legislature of a state may make laws. Prior to the breakdown of this pandemic a discussion on the subject of ‘health’ by the high level group (HLG) formed for the health sector by the 15th Finance Commission has made a recommendation that this subject to be transferred to the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution from the State List.

Time and again states have taken the backseat getting overwhelmed by a powerful Centre on various subjects, but this time the government of India made various guide lines to the states on how to deal with the covid-19. State governments have responded in a timely and organised manner to the call of the centre. This indicates the Government of India has trusted its state governments and decentralized the power to take charge on various aspects and gave autonomy on strategies to be followed in dealing the crisis.

Federalism is not a one-way street; both the Centre and states need to work in close quarters, that’s what we have witnessed now in this crisis. Even after 72 years of Independence there are very few instants such as Indo-China war, where the nation as a whole got together but there was no federalism as there was proclamation of emergency. But, now in facing this pandemic not only the people of India but also the respective governments irrespective of their political ideologies are working together for the people who have elected them. This noble sprite has to be continued.

[A][2] BUILDING SELF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES

Economic autarky is very important, On National Panchayati Raj Day, Prime minister Narendra Modi declared that the biggest lesson which the Covid-19 pandemic had taught the country was the need for self-reliance. No doubt that India is producing food for 1.36 Billion Population even without proper technology and machinery by using traditional techniques but, this is not it.

Self sustainable economies are the need of the hour, India needs to develop every sector which is capable of standing still on its own, rather than dumping the imports from other countries. There is potential possibility of threat with our enemy nations if we are not self reliant. World trade is never stable and our routes of supplies can be blocked at any time. Gandhian economics in today’s world seemed to be paradoxical before the breakout of virus but not now. Not only building self sufficient India but, also making a route map for self sufficient villages and towns is a pressing priority. If Rural India is self sufficient then we can stop the global phenomena of urbanization and over population to some extent.

[A][3] NEED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE PREMIER MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS

It is unfortunate that in a nation like India where every parent dreams about their child to a doctor or an engineer, but here we have very few hospitals or institutes which are of multi speciality. It is our ill fated story that we have only one Virology national institute before the pandemic. But as a blessing in disguise we were fortunately not the nation which was first affected by this pandemic. Taking this instance as a lesson there is a need of building such institutes and be ready to face whenever such situation demands.

[B][1] MEDICAL AND SANITATION WORKERS ROLE AND SOCIETAL IMPACT ON THEM

Health care and sanitation workers are holding the fort against corona virus at the front line even though initially there were no protective gear equipments in enough quantity and quality. India like most other nations imports equipment’s from other countries. As we all are cautious about touching surfaces but sanitation workers are performing duties at the very site of infection. On the other hand legacy of suffocation, helplessness and stigma of manual scavengers continues. Even though the direct handling of human excreta was banned in India by the Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993. Manual scavenging was banned under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. But in these difficult times the sanitation workers are risking their lives and performing the duty which they are not supposed to.

On the other side medical and health care workers are tirelessly working in and out every day risking not only their lives but also their families. Some of the doctors are not even visiting their homes and preferring staying in the hospitals or hotels because of the fear of virus transmitting to their families. Unfortunately in some instances doctors and medical workers in India are being ostracised from communities, evicted from their homes and forced to sleep in hospital bathrooms and on floors over fears of they may be carrying the virus.

This is the face of modern India where stigma, irrational and unjustified conduct can be seen not only in the rural areas but also in cosmopolitan cities. Our front line workers have to be appreciated and at the same time cooperation has to be shown from all the sides. Various governments have come forward and incentives are being provided to them, this is a positive sign. Apart from that, understanding the present situation, budget allocations and various schemes and facilities which tend to change and bring up the life style of sanitation workers has to be made.

[B][2] DISCRIMINATION ON NORTH EAST INDIANS

People from the north-eastern states are present in large numbers in different parts of the country. Incidents of racial discrimination and reports are pouring out because of the fear that north eastern citizens carrying the virus.

India is a signatory of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination, but does not have any laws specific on racism. The Central Government should bring an ordinance under Article 123 of the constitution for preventing the natives of one state from harassing in the migrants of any other Indian states or from indulging in hate crimes against them, because this is a self inflicting wound and this if continued can cause lots on internal disturbances in the nation. Amendments need to be done in this regard to the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act (Prevention of Atrocities), Act, 1989.

[C][1] ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of modern technology concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence and also includes analysis of statistics and data available and predict all the possible outcomes without any human effort. Healthcare organizations are in a dire need for decision-making technologies in handling the virus. AI may play a vital role in understanding and suggesting the development of a vaccine for COVID-19. This result-driven technology is used for proper prediction, screening, analyzing, and to track the patients and to trace out future patients. It is also used to track data of confirmed, recovered and death cases.

Preventing and controlling an epidemic is like time-trial with the virus. Humans can’t win this without using all his/her weapons in their arsenal. Especially when containment is a challenge, technology can not only operate as a healthcare professional, but it can also match the scale and speed at which the current pandemic treatment. A brief study is made comparing various countries to understand our drawbacks.

SOUTH KOREA, CHINA & TAIWAN.

South Korea has done exceptionally well in containing the virus, it stood against the odds even though it was first effected from the virus after china. South Korea, China and Taiwan have used location-tracking widely to limit the transmission of the virus. Government monitored its citizens very closely each and every movement was recorded an analysed.

China’s Zhejiang Province used big data and information technology like QR codes to track and spread the virus and its approach is named as ‘one map, one QR code, and one index’. Smart Imaging is contactless and rapid temperature detection, China is using AI-powered thermal cameras to identify those in a crowd who have a fever. The country is also deploying facial-recognition systems to identify those not wearing masks.

SINGAPORE has developed a serology test that can determine whether or not a patient has antibodies for the virus in their system, meaning that they may have carried Covid-19 without developing any symptoms for it and have an ability to test 2,000 people a day. It is also using AI and street cameras to trace and find out its citizens

Asian countries have used these technologies to the maximum extent and contained this deadly virus. On the other side India lacks behind in the Artificial Intelligence arena and has to find its own ways to face this challenge. Even though Arogya-setu app was announced by Prime minister of India, No proper awareness was created regarding it by the media.

[C][2] CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT & EDUCATION

ECONOMY:

Lockdown has saved many lives and may have reduced long-run economic costs of the Covid-19 crisis. But there is a need to revive the growth of economy. India’s economic growth could take a hit of up to half a percentage point in FY2021 because of this pandemic, to face this challenge the ministry of finance had announced various relief measures linked with statutory and regulatory compliance matters across various sectors in the country and has brought in an Ordinance on 31.03.2020. These relaxations may be temporary but can have long term impacts.

Unemployment is the leading indicator of future income. After two months of lockdown, India is indeed facing its highest rate of unemployment. Now our first priority should be minimising job losses and focusing on job creation, which is very difficult after the lock down.

Government should promote self employment schemes and bring up entrepreneurs, small scale credit facilities has to be extended especially in rural India. Moreover cutting back expenditures on less important works has to be done. At the same time Old foreign investors in India has to be assured and India need to utilize this opportunity as many companies are planning to leave China, India has to provide facilities and tax incentives to them.

Helicopter money is an unconventional monetary policy tool proposed by our hon’ble chief minister Chandra Shekar Rao, Milton Friedman came up with the concept of helicopter money in 1969. It involves printing money and distributing it to the public. It helps in more liquidity of the economy and thus increases the consumer spending capacity thereby boosting our economic growth. One of the primary concerns with the helicopter money is that it causes inflation. Hence this tool if used has to be cautiously utilized.

ENVIRONMENT

The Covid-19 lockdown is healing the planet like never before, Evidences like increase in air quality, Ganga water fit for drinking in Haridwar, turtles arriving at Odisha’s costal line, Increased number of Flamingos in Mumbai and dolphins in Ganga Ghats of Kolkata and many more instances.

Amidst the acute sense of sorrow, anxiety and insecurity COVID-19 has brought silver linings to offer in the form of environment.

Sustainable environment is always a need for any nation. Diligent steps need to be taken to save what we have restored in the pandemic. One important issue can be made out that there are many professions which can be managed from home. Hence work from home attitude has to be promoted in various fields and by reducing travel and saving fuel and resources will definitely help the environment. On the other-hand we have learned how to use resources carefully during the lock down. Careful resource management shall be inculcated in our lives.

EDUCATION

Effects of the coronavirus and its preventive measures, has upended the life of students and teachers, this brought a change in Indian education system. We are at a juncture and we need to rethink how can this change in the education sector can evolve with our changing world.

Innovative online learning techniques need to be promoted and investments in this field is intriguing for the E- learners.

Rather than leaving large carbon foot-print, students can attend online classes at their convenience but nothing can change the traditional touch and the relationship of students with teachers, which can never be replaced with technology.

CONCLUSION

India which is a highly populated country even with many obstacles, differences and challenges has outperformed many developed nations. The time has come to retrospect ourselves and take pride of our achievements’ once we have crossed this hurdle, the covid-19 pandemic. As a society we should collectively take responsibility of our poor and needy, we must remember the constitutional spirit of fraternity. We must even be aware of the fact that fraternity is the first casualty when there is no equality. This article emphasised on various such incidents. As a society where economic growth is the at most priority, inner well-being is a challenge and a problem which most people noticed in this crisis. A shift from economic well-being to Inner well-being has to be emphasised. Lastly as lost time gone forever, there is never enough time to learn so much as we have it now. On a brighter side when everything goes back to normal we can stand ahead of the curve if we utilize this time to the best extent.

[1] World health organisation.