Through the Hell to the Light- A Battle with Covid-19

Ghukha Chophy, 6th Sem,
Political Science Hons.
Tetso College, Dimapur, Nagaland.

“If you’re going through hell, keep going,”
~ Sir Winston Churchill

The world we see today is like in horror movies fighting the unseen object, not sure of real enemy, still holds the doubt whether it is reality! It’s sad for the 21st century people as whole who has experienced two bloody world wars are now experiencing such a heavy pandemic covid-19. As we need to know what level of understanding we have about the present situation and where exactly we are standing.
First and foremost to all the fellow world citizens for a moment let’s first start at least keep ourselves updating on the current issues and show our concerns to at least spend some time in examining latest news on covid-19. This helps us to have an idea about our enemy and helps us to prepare for the worst. There are people who are still ignorant about the grave impact that covid-19 has brought in our lives, moreover they also doesn’t know what steps are taken by the government at national as well as local level, and this is one reason why it is affecting the daily lives, increasing more panic in society and losing the hope of the people.
Let me say this to the people looking out for hope and praying to get things  better, in case you have not realize many people around the world has slowly stepped out each day to help the world to heal in every ground by feeding the poor, helpless and those need in help.  Let me also tell you this when we are talking about losing hope look at the brave doctors and nurses what hope or guarantee do they have of not getting infected, some cases where doctors or nurses are being infected while treating the patients yet they still carry the responsibilities on their shoulders risking their lives on the battle ground.  It’s not only the doctors or nurses but also all  those brave warriors including common concerned citizen, Police, government officials, NGOs, social organizations who are entering in scary battlefield infested and infected by deadly Coronavirus and helping others in times like this are the real heroes of our society. Do not be under impression that they are doing it for some name or fame, do not get blinded or get the wrong ideas about them in case if you see on any news or heard any nonsensical rumors or gossip. Remember to look on every side, remember, a common man still extending hand of help to other common man in the darkest of the times. IF we cannot develop enough compassion to help others in the darkest of the time, then at least let us sit silently at our home and pray for those who are doing it by risking their lives, without spreading unwanted rumors and gossips about them. This is not a time to criticize, rather support each other, and support all those who are on the ground.   
It seems it has now become a fashion to criticize government every now and then. See, constitution of India has given us every right to hold government accountable for its failures however, I fail to understand, how can we be so blinded by our prejudices that we are not hesitating to bombard shells of criticism against government when every part of government machinery day and night is busy fighting with Covid-19? You may have your issues with the government, I may also have mine, but for God’s sake this is not the time to ask government questions or criticize its policies.
The situation in world is no different. People are mindlessly criticizing their governments for not doing much to save people’s lives. Why? For what? Entire world has come in stand still. No production is happening. No foreign trades are happening. Stock Markets have crashed. Major currencies have collapsed. International Borders have been sealed. People are in lockdown and government machineries are fighting an epic battle with whatever weapons they have. Moreover, in all this chaos, we are witnessing a game of blame. Countries are blaming each other for e.g. U.S blaming China and china blaming U.S and Italy blaming China. Iraq blaming U.S and Israel etc. This is not the right time to play this petty politics. The time has become to unite and fight this Coronavirus. Government of each and every country need to look out for help and also should not hesitate to offer help.
However, the real culprits behind this international chaos which now has put big question mark on the very survival of human race should be dealt in harshest possible ways. Whoever is behind such darkest crime, challenging the human emotions and existence of everyone’s creator and deciding the fate and lives of the people needs to be answered to the people and must be held accountable for their evil wrong doings. Government of India has promulgated and has been successfully enforcing Sec. 269 & 270 of IPC, Sec. 144 CrPc, Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005 to discipline the people in the time of Covid-19.
Those who are ignoring government directives and violating the laws of land are definitely paying the heavy price for their deeds. Questions around the Islamic religious gathering organized by ‘Tablighi Jamaat’ at Markaz at Nizamuddin Delhi getting darker and darker in the shadow of ever rising Covid-19 infected people through the ‘Superspreaders’ who evidently were part of the said gathering. Law of the land is very clear. Section 269 of IPC which says- Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.—Whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both & 270 of IPC which provides-Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.—Whoever malignantly does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. These two powerful provisions of Indian Penal Code are more than enough to tackle people involve in incidents which has threatened the life and survival of 133.92 Crore population of India.
Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic tragedy during the course of this time; people, thoughts and philosophies are leading to changes in impacting in good and bad side influencing in every human perspective whether religious, political, racial, or any other major phenomena. One of the major reasons to back this statement is the certain events happening in India, Northeast people are called Coronavirus because they look like Chinese, and such a derogatory identification tag is completely racism. Moreover, it has been seen that many Christians are confused whether to believe in science or miracles, as their faith is being challenged and also we see Churches are ready to receive donation but in times like this most of the churches are ignoring the fact that people are homeless, they are thirsty, dying with hunger, how long can we afford to keep this dual face? Churches need to do something super-constructive with the collaboration of the government or by themselves but they MUST do something for the society, for God’s words are for helpless, poor, innocent and needy people. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. — Proverbs 22:9. I wish to remind churches and ‘Holy People’-the regular church goers their godly responsibility.  
Covid-19 has not only created the negativity but also if we look on the brighter side, the mother Earth is healing rapidly. All this change has also led to some unexpected consequences. As industries, transport networks and businesses have closed down; it has brought a sudden drop in carbon emissions. Compared with this time last year, levels of pollution in New York have reduced by nearly 50% because of measures to contain the virus.
In China, emissions fell 25% at the start of the year as people were instructed to stay at home, factories shuttered and coal use fell by 40% at China’s six largest power plants since the last quarter of 2019. The proportion of days with “good quality air” was up 11.4% compared with the same time last year in 337 cities across China, according to its Ministry of Ecology and Environment. In Europe, satellite images show nitrogen dioxide (No2) emissions fading away over northern Italy.  A similar story is playing out in Spain and the UK.
The world may undergo even worst, but this will never be an end for this is what the lessons are being given to us. We should declare this as a challenge to make the world a better place for the younger generation and for us, those who have been positive and helping hand in crucial times shall never be forgotten and blessings be upon them.  More or less people are going through some thought process looking at the positive sides and lifting and responding to the needy people I hope this things will set our eyes as an example even for us to be a one helping hand at the end.
What will be the cause of resulting the loss of lives of the people I have no idea. However in times like this if we bring out the hatred in us instead of humanity, I believe it will do nothing better in our lives rather than a bad luck just like the covid-19 virus infecting everyone that comes in their way. So let’s all have patience and be more rational and look everything deeper to curb of the problems rather than creating one. Let’s all be helpful by educating each other rather than promoting hate. Be positive because positivity will help you look for hope for better tomorrow. And, the questions which have been haunting my restless mind since ‘Markaz’ incident, I am sure will be answered in a befitting manner by the Legal system of India. We will win the battle against Covid-19. Amen!