The manner in which the all-pervading pandemic
has taken its toll on humanity is indicative of the fact that henceforth things
will never be the same again. While narrations abound of nature’s
‘rejuvenation’ during the pandemic times with the human beings having been
taught a lesson or two about living in harmony with it, there is a now lot of
uncertainty about their lives and livelihoods.
Although the government has tried obfuscating
the problem with extraneous information, people have come to realize that
matters are way beyond its control now. For one the fight against the unknown
assailant demands perseverance. It is only through a series of tests and trials
that the government can arrive at a sure shot method to contain and mitigate
the virulent effects of Coronavirus.
Meanwhile the search for the antidote will
continue undeterred. Moreover, the country is not a Goliath of economic muscle
and might. COVID-19 has further battered its economy beyond recognition. Hampered
by restrictions, business and commercial activities are yet to take off
full-steam after the lockdown. Jobs are thus hard to come by. Lay-offs and
‘desertions’ by the migrant workers has contributed hugely to the economic
misery experienced.
For that matter, a return home for the
thousands of migrants from cities and towns too has not been a favourable
proposition with many of them staring at joblessness in their home states. Just
as much as the exodus of the migrants is a cause of concern for states
effectively employing them, the return of the natives is not without its share
of worries for their parent states as well.
And their gainful employment forms the crux of
the problems! Every aspect of life has thus been disagreeably touched by the
invisible blight. With the virus having obliterated any chance of an early
respite from the miserable situation, it could well herald an unpleasant
scenario where the society will soon see a sudden spurt in criminal activities.
In Goa too it is pretty much the same
scenario!
The Santa Cruz shootout last month, although
alleged to be a fallout of a rivalry between two gangs, is a precursor of the
worsening situation that will soon have the state in a vice-like grip. The
COVID-19 pandemic has impacted crime and illicit economies. Besides thefts and
robberies, online crime and illegal markets have thrived.
Initially during the pandemic, crimes rates in
Goa had shown an appreciable drop. While the stay-home mantra generally
prevented break-ins and burglaries, the severities of the restrictions imposed
during the lockdown on the other hand presented a galore of opportunities for
tricksters to ply their trade.
Unemployment will breed crime and with avenues
already existing for a novice’s foray into the world of crime, it is not only
the coronavirus that the state will have to contend with. With effective
measures in place for managing the pandemic - and with professionals handling
it - the government could well turn its attention to equally pressing matters
that cannot be ignored any longer.
It would be wrong to say that the state is not
affected by the ‘home-coming’ of
Goemkars who migrated to other
parts of the country, and abroad, for better career prospects. It has, and to
the extent of denting its economy further! Creation of jobs should assume
significance from now on. And for that to happen, the state has to devise ways
to reopen its economy. With easing of restrictions on almost all business
sectors, this is possible.
Magnifying a few as income-grossers while
looking at the others through a microscope of distrust, the state cannot expect
to achieve much by way of economic rejuvenation. At the same time, the
government needs to build up a stronger resistance to public and political
criticism and decide that if it is to concern itself with the lives and
livelihoods of its people, some unorthodox methods are to be adopted.
Enough of awareness has been brought about
among the public about COVID and the harmful implications of violating the
safety measures prescribed to combat it.
But a quick glance around the markets and
other public places in the state dispels any notion of the state being in the
grips of a deadly pandemic. Always teeming with people, stay-home diktat
appears to be falling on deaf-ears.
How long can the government continue with the
‘marshalling’ of its errant citizens and penalize them for their demeanours
with respect to the pandemic when they are adamant on doing what pleases them!
With such an attitude in evidence, it does appear that the people are well
capable of taking care of themselves.
The public reaction to the high spike in the
daily report of infections thus appears to be a contrived emotion to the grim
scenario where in fact a bit of prudence on their part would have drastically
impeded the lethal rampage of the virus. With such a mindset, it is difficult
to perceive any good coming of the concerted efforts by the government to save
the lives of its people during the pandemic.
But yes, save livelihoods, it can - and it
should!
The health scare brought about by the
coronavirus has snowballed into a fiscal catastrophe of devastating
proportions. Yet, there are objections from various quarters whenever attempts
are made to consider any economic revival in the times of the
pandemic.
Brooding and complaining over the inevitable
conditions brought about by the government’s efforts to neutralize the effects
of the potent virus needs to be shunned at all costs. But then that has always
been the extent of public appreciation! It is a situation that will soon change
– that is what the whole world is fighting for! Let us learn to safeguard
ourselves against the microscopic villain; the government will find ways to
revive the economy!
(Published on 24th August 2020, Volume XXXII,
Issue 35)
