Poor Need Food, Not Vaccine
The United Nations Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution upholding ‘vaccine equity’ and that the availability of Covid vaccine must be increased in conflict-affected and poor countries. This means that the United Nations is demanding that rich countries be stopped from getting the Covid vaccine on priority as it is depriving the poor countries of the vaccine. It appears that the decision of the United Nations is humane. But what are the actual demands of the poor countries in the difficult times of the Coronavirus?
According to the United Nations, poverty has increased across the globe due to the Coronavirus and this is set to substantially increase in the coming days. Similarly, crores of poor people have been kept out of the education system. Developing countries such as India are significantly reducing the budgetary allocation for education. Most importantly, fatal diseases such as tuberculosis have exploded in poor countries. It is already established that the Coronavirus is not a deadly disease. Poor countries are not demanding the Coronavirus vaccine but are anxious about food, education, and other diseases that are exacerbating. The United Nations should have extended a helping hand to poor countries in handling these issues but it appears that it has considered the Covid vaccine as the immediate necessity of these poor countries.
It is a truth that everyone understands that the coronavirus declined not due to any vaccine. Even though our country manufactured the vaccine, even well-informed people are hesitating to get themselves vaccinated. Health workers and even doctors have expressed their reservations. And the government has failed to meet its goal in providing vaccine. Politicians and government officials have not yet come forward to get themselves vaccinated. The government that has spent crores of rupees on the vaccines is trying to impose it on people by trying to spread the fear about the second wave of the Coronavirus through the media. It is also threatening the imposition of another lockdown. Initially, the government announced that poura karmikas would be vaccinated on priority. This meant that it had designed a programme of vaccinating poura karmikas first and based on the results of this drive, provide vaccine to others. But, objections were raised widely against such a design of making poura karmikas guinea pigs. This is the same reason why the United Nation’s decision seems suspicious.
Experts are now suspecting whether the decision has been taken to experiment with poor nations to establish whether the vaccine is successful or not. People are also beginning to question the concern of the United Nations about Covid when lakhs of poor people are dying due to the lack of treatment for fatal diseases such as tuberculosis and Cancer. During the lockdown, migrant workers had openly raised their objections against the government and had said “We are not scared of the Coronavirus but are scared of hunger.” Even now, poor countries are not unduly worried about the Coronavirus because these countries have witnessed more deaths and distress caused due to poverty than the Coronavirus and also due to other diseases for which people did not receive medicines. Yes, we must deal with the coronavirus. But it does not make sense to talk about the Coronavirus by neglecting abject poverty that has haunted the world for several decades.
According to the 2020 data of the World Health Organization, 45 per cent of deaths of children below five years of age is due to malnutrition. Across the world, about 47 million children are suffering anemia, 14 million children are suffering severe anemia, and 144 million children have stunted growth. Areas ravaged by conflict in the world are becoming huge hubs of poverty and malnutrition. Conflict and drought, deficient rainfall are causing deaths due to hunger. International agencies such as the World Health Organizations have warned about a possible increase in deaths (this has specifically increased during the Coronavirus) due to hunger in conflict-ridden areas. All these reports preceded the coronavirus. After the lockdown, the data throws up a very scary picture. The situation of farmers of small land holdings and labourers is very worrying with many losing employment opportunities due to the lockdown.
In the absence of transportation and connectivity issues, farmers have faced losses. Economically destroyed and distraught, they have reached a situation of having to sell their land. The government is also making adequate arrangements for farmers to sell their land with corporate forces using this situation to their advantage. If it is now being projected that the immediate need of farmers is vaccine, how can people believe this? In India at least, several controversies have erupted over the vaccine. The pride that the vaccine is indigenous seems to be working against it. The government should therefore increase the confidence among people about the vaccine. Politicians and senior government officials should first get vaccinated. Then, the poor will also feel confident about the vaccine. Instead of doing this, use of threats of another lockdown, prospects of a rising second wave, and emotional pressure as part of attempts to vaccinate the poor are not right. If the government wants to resort to such attempts, then it must provide insurance cover to all those who get vaccinated. The government should take the responsibility for any side effects due to the vaccine and provide appropriate compensation to the people.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
