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We have now entered the unlocking phase. This phase is as crucial as the lockdown phase. Lockdown was announced to break the Covid-19 chain, so that the number of infected people could be under control. At the same time, it was a ploy to buy time to create adequate infrastructural facilities to combat the pandemic. Beyond a doubt, India has achieved its goal to a large extent. Keeping the mortality rate under control is the biggest success of India. While in some of the developed nations the mortality rate is in double-digits, in India it is still in single digit. Besides, using the 12-week lockdown period India has developed its infrastructure noticeably. World’s largest Covid-19 centre has come up in Delhi which can accommodate 10,000 people. Other states too have increased medical facilities considerably. We have overcome the shortage of test kits. Over all, the pandemic scenario does not look as gloom as it was a couple of weeks ago.
But the lockdown was not without side effects. It was necessary. At the same time, it virtually brought our economy to a standstill. The GDP which was on average around seven per cent for the last one decade, might come down to three per cent or below during the ongoing fiscal. Agriculture, industrial and the service sector, which contributes most to country’s GDP most is now gasping for new life. More than half of India’s working force was sitting idle. In the organised sector, the workers are getting their wages regularly, there is not enough work. Moreover, to maintain the norms of social distancing and other precautionary measures, the organised sector is not being able to use its total workforce. Thus, while going from lockdown phase to unlocking, we have the challenge to restart the wheels of economy in full swing without allowing the lethal virus a chance to penetrate further.
Thus, the challenge is far stiffer than what it was in the beginning. When the spread of the virus was first reported, priority was to save human lives. Now, along with human lives we will have to rejuvenate the economy too. So, many restrictions, which were imposed during the lockdown period will have to be slowly withdrawn. If we want to revive the economy, people will have to come out in a controlled manner. But while unlocking the country, we should not forget the precautionary measures which will definitely ensure our victory over corona. Norms like social distancing, wearing masks, not shaking hands or hugging people, should be followed strictly. For instance, as soon as the unlocking phase began, many US citizens discarded masks. As a result, on a single day, 52 thousand corona cases were reported. We should not invite such a catastrophe. When victory is in sight, we cannot allow that to slip away because of sheer negligence. It is time to remain vigilant.