In a few months from a ‘country in control’ to a ‘country in need’, from a ‘ giver’ to a ‘receiver’, from a ‘ Power Position’ to outsiders asserting Power over us- what is happening to the Image of India? The blame game is easy to play but in reality, none of us are above blame. Central government to State governments to individuals- each exploiting helpless people and the current situation in their own way. All of a sudden, the Image of my country has come crashing down in our own eyes and in the eyes of the world. The governments play their own cat and mouse political games and the press plays its own role in sensationalizing everything, to which we individuals add through social media and the ‘WhatsApp University’. The friends who make the maximum noise about ‘ irresponsibility’ are the ones who show their ‘responsibility’ by travelling to exotic locations in India and overseas, flaunt pictures of it, when we all need to contribute to containing the spread. All at a time when we need to boost each other’s morale. We have all contributed to tarnishing our Image and look at the other with a ‘ holier than thou’ attitude.
Yes, we must ask questions, spread awareness about wrong doings…. but is the chosen moment fanning more animosity and hatred? Do help people struggling for medical facilities with leads, but forwarding non verified leads to glorify your efforts, helping or adding to the burden of those suffering and running from pillar to post? For those who think they can get rich over someone else’s pain, helplessness and dead bodies, better stop to realize that the deadly virus has no favourites.
There is mayhem everywhere and yet there is a delicate thread which is gingerly holding us together- the thread of humanity and brotherhood in this huge democracy. Unknown people are coming forward to help others, risking their lives, giving up their beds, providing free food and even monetary help. Right now, it is not about which sect is doing more- it is about rising above our greed and selfish needs. Let this passion of helping others spread like wild fire and watch barriers melting down.
If we want to re build the Image of our country, let us begin by building our own individual Image of a responsible and humanitarian person. Let us stand strong, demolishing walls of caste, creed, politics and religion. If the rich in India have the resources, the average Indian has the heart and bravery of a soldier. Let us come together to pool these resources to give India the much-needed healing and in the bargain an Image Makeover.