What does 1Bn vaccination tell us?

Okay, so India has won the World Cup — This time it isn’t about Cricket but against the fight with Coronavirus. Reaching this mark is a major feat and no matter on which side you are, you should appreciate it. A country which is weak in its Medical Infrastructure, weak in social awareness and also weak in similar Political vision amongst parties, has managed to inoculate a billion people.

But this shouldn’t be confined to the number alone. There are many by-products and interpretations of this feat. Let us see what does this mean?

Strong Leadership — Remember the time when entire country stood up to bang utensils to support covid warriors and to raise awareness? Though some people did not understand the “intent” behind it and were raising stupid questions at the time when no one in the world knew about the disease, nor the medicine.

This was the time when there was a dire need to make people aware of the disaster that was coming in.

It couldn’t have been done without a leader who was accepted by all and a leader who had the right intent and message.

Excellent Govt. Officials — We have always looked down upon our bureaucrats, despite the fact that these are the smartest people of the country who qualify the toughest examination which demands ultimate patience, knowledge and empathy.

It was they who framed the policies, decided the future course of action and manage the humongous logistics to make health infra available to all.

There were hiccups indeed, but overall, a great job was done with the limited resources available. All this was also made possible because of a decisive leadership across levels — Centre and State.

Scientists and Institutions — I would strongly give credit to the erstwhile govt that they had the vision to make India a pharma hub. Without the existing strong base that we have had, this feat of 1Bn would never have been possible. It is because of these institutions that the research and production has been possible. Kudos to the scientists, who showed that they are the brightest in the world, at a time when no one was giving us the knowhow or the vaccine. It is they who developed the formula and made it publicly available. We now have plethora of vaccines, thanks to all.

Health Workers — Can any of this be possible without them? Doctors, Nurses and each and very health worker, cleaning staff, Anganwadis, delivery people, etc. — They could have easily been afraid and hid in their houses but they took responsibility and cured all of us.

They were the Gods in these times. No words are sufficient for them. Sadly many lost their lives in the process but there was still no looking back for them. It is time we appreciate them, admire them and also the way they managed everything. Hats off and salute!

Private Participation — A sector that is often looked down upon as we tend to link it to certain political parties. Thanks to these private companies that they quickly reorganized their work pattern, vaccinated their own employees (The TCSs and Infosys of the worlds and many more) and also assisted the govt. in various ways. Be it increased CSRs or setting up awareness camps, the help really worked. No doubt that there have been various instances of Private Hospitals looting the people, but that doesn't mean you generalize the entire sector and their contributions. Had we not opened up the vaccine distribution to the pvt. sector, achieving this feat would have taken a longer time.

People of India — The final lot that was the beneficiary of all the outcomes — This lot, though little hesitant initially, immediately accepted the vaccination drive and went out in large numbers.

The large numbers can only be possible when there is a self will and a major credit to generating this self will goes to the awareness. Kudos to that!

Moreover, despite so many hardships, people figured out a way themselves. This shows the never dying attitude of Indians, maybe because they have always had to look out for themselves, since centuries.

The World — India, not only helped herself, but looked after the world too. And same goes the other way round as well. It was India who had supplied major medicines and vaccines when the world did not have the production capacity. It was our diplomats who carefully balanced the needs of India and the world by keeping the relations intact. Who can forget the aid which we got from our allies and friends from across the world.

Additionally, the tit for tat response towards countries that were hostile to Indian vaccination is the beginning of an era where eye for an eye will not make the world blind, but instead is needed at times to prove one’s worth.

We all know the consequences of that response! (as EU and UK allowed Indians to travel without being quarantined).

Religious Institutions — There have been ample examples of religious places offering help in terms of money, food, shelter. This is a great gesture which not only helps but also reinforces faith and confidence.

Delivery Executives— Look around the world and you wont find stories like that of our Zomatos and Swiggys and other such people. At the click of a button we were fed sufficiently with delicious food, at a time when everything was closed. City people can understand and appreciate this way better. There were loads of others as well who delivered essentials at our doorstep.

Policies — Any crisis gives an opportunity to reform rules that have not changed since ages.

Socialists will not agree to pro-capitalists reforms and will just rely on the emotional attachment to public institutions, however, they fail to realise the growing debt to exchequer because of these institutions.

The sole reason being the inherent nature of a govt. employee to not run any businesses professionally as there is no incentive. The recent reforms of Farms, Labour, Defence is the need of the hour and mark my words, these will be written in history.

Even if the govt. changes, no successive govt. will alter these reforms, after-all they themselves proposed the same in their tenure, just that they failed to delivery owing to protests.

There are ample other examples which prove that India fought Corona like no other country in the world. We lost many lives and there was a time when we thought that the situation was out of control. But with quick decisions and apt planning, this was taken care of and fatalities were reduced.

Prayers for the ones who left us and hope for the future that such a scenario will never be repeated.