The festival of Baishakhi also known as Vaishakhi a religious festival with deep historical significance is celebrated by the Sikhs. In 1699 under the aegis of Guru Gobind Singh the Khalsa Panth of warriors was formed and this day which falls either on the 13th or 14th of April commemorates that event through celebrations by the Sikh community worldwide and especially in India.
With Wuhan in China being blamed globally for the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and returning to apparent normalcy this Wednesday, after a 76 day lockdown, contemplation is rife over when India will do the same. The current 21 day lock down period should have seen its’ end on April 14th however; there is a lot of speculation which shows that this may not be possible.
In a cabinet meeting held recently through video conferencing Prime Minister Modi had asked the Chief Ministers of various states for their suggestions on an exit strategy. It is said that more than half a dozen states including Maharashtra which is the worst hot with COVID – 19 affected cases spiralling have all asked for an extension of the lock down. It is said that the PM was also considering a staggered lifting of the lock down.
The latest statistics at the time of this report going online was 5734 total cases in India, 166 Deaths and 473 recovered. The world statistics shows 1518518 cases with 88495 deaths and 330589 recovered.
The hot spots of the country are Maharashtra with 1135 cases, Tamil Nadu with 738 and Delhi with 669. It is said that with the new cases in Mumbai, India has reached the stage 3 phase of community transmission. The fresh cases that have emerged of patients there are of those who have had not travel history and have not been in any immediate contact of CIVID -19 affected patients.
The view of a staggered approach which state governments will be in control of is fast gaining ground and seems to be the only possible solution so far in view of the rising cases of the pandemic. We have not yet been able to flatten he curve and looks as if there is a long way to go. The PM has termed it a “social emergency” on a National level.
Another cabinet meeting which will be chaired soon by PM Modi may hold the key to all the questions and uncertainties being raised on the lock down.
