Nation’s War against Corona

K.Vittala Rao
Management Consultant & Trainer, Bangalore

India is fighting a severe war against the deadly enemy, the Corona.
​
It is like a war against any neighboring Countries on India and its territories. The soldiers at the Front Line, guard the Nation by sacrificing their valuable lives. Entire Nations stands in consolidation in a War, irrespective any internal political differences or conflicts or any differences of opinions etc. In fact, our precedents demonstrate this cooperation and stand united in all the previous war fought by India.

Now, fighting against the Corona has been a continuous one for the last 13 months. This is very crucial war in which every citizen is affected and has resulted in miserable deaths. Plentiful of families are thrown out of their comfortable living and children are left as orphans.
​
In this war, the soldiers, namely, doctors, nurses, health care personnel, police, voluntary agencies and Government officials are continuing the fight against the war. 

How far the citizens are really standing up with the Nation with one voice?
This is the main concern.
 
Are the citizens are being misled, coerced, compelled and made to suffer by many forces surrounding them in all corners of India ?
In a War, all politicians and leaders whether in the ruling or on the opposition, must join as one strong force to fight on.
 
In this context, let us examine the roles being played by “Opposition Parties”
The word “Opposition”, in any democratic setups, means quite a lot. In our setup, the word “Opposition” has been construed and taken in all spirits of opposition for any act or omission by the Majority.
 
It is miserable and pathetic to watch the events being occurred for the last one year and continues to be so, the politicians, particularly, the opposition at the Centre as well at the States is playing a negative role.
 
While opposition is essential for sound working of a democracy, such opposition has to be responsible and healthy. The purpose of the opposition is to keep the Government on its toes and to prevent misuse of power.
 
But the true function of opposition can be performed only when there is discipline, a sense of responsibility all round and a desire to give the topmost priority to the public interest as against personal or party interests.
 
Discipline and responsible conduct ensure steady and smooth progress of all democratic structures, but the lack of discipline of a healthy, constructive approach inevitably leads to instability, confusion and reversal of economic progress.
 
They should be able to act as role models for the future leaders, their act should be in such a way that, they have to rule the government in future. 

Parties act as a training ground for future leaders.

Parties strengthen the culture of democracy within the party and the political community in general (by, for example, promoting open debate during delegates’ conferences, promoting intra-party democratic elections and ensuring accountable use of party finances).
 
Many times, the citizens are concerned and worried about the part played by the Opposition.

1. Are they against the India fighting the war against the Corona?
2. Are they indulging in drawing the attention of the Citizens towards agitation minds rather than prevailing upon them to adhere to safety precautions & behaviors?
3. Are they creating a split or create confusion amongst the citizens to stand and fight the War?
4. Are they sidetracking towards their own selfishness in terms of popularity so that Government loses the war?
5. Are they are not realizing that constant & consistent working against the war, their popularity and leadership is being negativities? ​
   

India is one of the major democratic systems of governance. Opposition, in a Democratic set up must play a very significant role.
 
But, what’s happening?
 
For a successful and best result orientation in a Democratic set up, opposition must be strong but be “Constructive”.
 
We do not have a “constructive opposition”. Constructive opposition goes to mean that there must be logical, justifiable, legal reasons and confront the Government on these lines.
But here what we have is a “Destructive and Emotional “opposition. 
 
In a situation of an “Emotional opposition”, it is all driven by unknown, massive and illogical and negative intention slogans & movement.
 
Unfortunately, the satyagraha or massive demonstrations which were followed during the pre-independence period to fight against British, even after the Independence, such agitations are of being practiced and adopted like nobody’s business.  Actually, this move has been extended all sections of society, including youths,  students, etc any congregations for any reason whatsoever, which is hurting the culture of the Society.
 
Whatever, the likes or dislikes, legal or not legal, justifiable or unjustifiable, reasonable or unreasonable, the mass agitations, dharana, demonstrations, disturbing the peace and living of people, are all the order of the Day.
 
Have we seen, or observed or even noticed even at once, the leaders addressing the citizens about the worst effects of Corona and prevail upon the society to strictly follow the safety guidelines to fight against the epidemic?
 
It is really sad to note that in a Country like India with multiple strong cultures, for the last 13 months, we have not witnessed such an addressing and having visiting the containment zones, speak to the citizens & their families advising them of strict adherence's.
 
This is matter of total disappointment and distress that the leaders are not standing with all citizens to fight the war. It is their primary duty and responsibility to take care of the well-being of the citizens, but focusing their own gains to show that they are the opposition and it is their duty to criticize and comments on  all the steps taken by the Government. Be it be Corona, any progressive taken by the Government.
 
It is really a matter of serious concern that our leaders are driving the Youths towards unethical and aggressive steps. Naturally, in the next decade, we see the youths with all weaponry to agitate and disturb the standard of living and peace of the citizens of India.
 Criticism of any decision by the Government is a right of any individual or a political party, but that not at the cost or price of the safety of the citizens.  This weapon of criticism must not be used against the general public to invite or instigate from withdrawing from the war.   Always positive criticism is welcome but must not start working against the War.
Unfortunately, we have been witnessing the opposition parties engaging in violent demonstrations by exhorting general public, protests, huge gatherings, instigations, violent activities  in a situation with their full knowledge and consciousness that citizens must withdraw from the war.
 
Now, it is the turn of responsible citizens with educated and enthusiastic youths, must step in to save the atrocities from the point of view to install a “Democratic India”.

K.Vittala Rao
Management Consultant & Trainer, Bangalore