Multifaceted Corona : A Global Threat, A Opportunity, & Much More.

World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared Corona Virus as Pandemic. Now what does the term "Pandemic" mean ?? it means an epidemic which has spread over countries or continents and has affected a large number of people. As we know that the origin of this corona virus is in Wuhan province of china. And it's rapid spread not just sent a wave of tension across the world but it has also created panic situation which is much more dangerous.

                   India being neighbor of china was closely monitoring the outbreak and spread of corona virus since beginning. PMO, MEA, Health ministry, and many other organs of government machinery started to chalk out the plan to tackle the threat of corona virus.

On 17th Feb 2020 India made arrangements to evacuate all the 650 Indians from wuhan province. Now as they entered the indian territory they were asked to line for the medical check up. This medical check up was done at quarantine facility at the outskirts of delhi. This medical set up was established and coordinated by ITBP. A medical certificate was issued to all those healthy passengers who were tested negative for corona virus.

                     I would say that evacuating our citizens when the situation is in control is indeed a good step taken by modi government and they have again set an example of how political will can be utilized for national interest and that too in time bound manner. Now if we speak about world, then many countries like Italy, Singapore, Iran, have not taken adequate measures. In entire world Italy ranks 2nd in deaths due to corona virus. Now we don't know actually whether the Italian govt failed to take adequate steps in time bound manner or it was simply negligent ??.

                                Considering the alarming situation in Europe and china. In USA trump administration has declared that for next 1 month it would break the contact with all European countries in order to avoid the spread of corona virus, but I think trump administration has forgotten that this single step is just beginning of process to damage the diplomatic and strategic relations which USA has with its European Allies since WW2. Recent reports from China mention that the outbreak has been brought under control and the day to day life of Wuhan will return soon. But it's very very difficult to test how much this statement made by chinese authorities is true or not ??.

              Cancellation of flights has hit badly from common people to airlines and tourism industry. Many of social , cultural and sports event like IPL are on the verge of cancellation. All the consequences of corona are visible on economy and the greatest evidence is Falling of stock markets in many developed and developing countries.

                    But any tough situation can be a blessing in disguise also and it's biggest example is Israel, Britain , France , Spain and even USA have recognized and started to adopt the indian style of greeting that's "Namaste" . Yes, it's the same thing which our ancestors emphasized on and today it's considered as basic precautionary but a life saving measure. And thus it indicates the richness and foresightedness of our 5000 year old sindhu saraswati civilization and one of the important features of hindu sanatan dharma. I hope the so called seculars, self declared progressive people and parties and pseudo intellectuals don't find any saffron or sangh agenda in this issue. 

                  But there is another interesting point which I would like to mention is, as I mentioned above china claims that they have controlled the outbreak and they have decided to help all other corona affected nations Especially Italy. Now for normal people it's just a humanitarian gesture but in strategic sense it's the plan of china to take 1st step to capture European market starting with Italy. There is a long trade war going on between US and China and none of the side wishes to take a step back. Considering the upcoming US presidential elections of 2020, many important personnel of trump administration have already started to use this corona outbreak as one of the election issue by blaming china for it. Latest news sources state that it's first time in world history that china kept their rude attitude sidewards and literally begged in front of WTO that not to stop trade with them. So, this is much advantageous situation for USA in ongoing trade war.

               Today PM modi urged the SAARC nations to join his initiative of tackling the corona issue together as team. Majority of india supporter nations have backed PM modi's idea and also showed the will to extend whatever help they can provide as per their capacity. This simple move indicates the importance of strong political will, utilizing that political will by securing our national interest as well as in simple terms it would be a one of the diplomatic master strokes played by him.

Thus this corona virus is just a medium, and all the related aspects like trade, economy, health geopolitics are mere just connecting dots. A pragmatic politician will be one who knows how to connect all these dots by using corona issue as thread and use it to his political advantage at domestic as well international level. Let's wait for who will be that person. Till then let's pray that this outbreak will be controlled soon in entire world and the life will be back to normal again.

Written By : Vedang Deshpande

Date : 13th March 2020

Time : 10:56 PM Pune, India