The whole episode is designed in such a way to make the people believe that India has achieved the goal of universal vaccination. The exercise, in fact, is motivated by the compulsions of forthcoming assembly elections in UP, Punjab and elsewhere. Modi and his confidants know that their track records related to the wellbeing of the people is pathetically dismal. Thus, the strategic planners turned to Covid war. The people very well know that their over enthusiasm is hollow and their claims baseless.

India is the second most populous country in the world with 130 crore population. Vast majority of them are still vulnerable to the tiny virus. The day on which the celebration was launched, it is true that the number touched a figure of 100 crores. But that doesn't mean that 100 crores are safeguarded from Covid virus. As per official sources themselves, only 30 crores were given two doses of vaccine until that day. Seventy crores have got only the first dose. They are yet to receive the second dose after a definite period. In a country of 130 crores, after inoculating only 30 crores with two doses, Narendra Modi was organising big fanfare as if the country has won the Corona battle. When the prime minister was making such high sounding claims 100 crores of his fellow citizens were still remaining vulnerable to the disease. This is the Modi style of propaganda gimmicks. The people should be made aware of its hollowness.

The prime minister and his team are now urging the people to forget their series of colossal failures in fighting the pandemic. The country had to pay heavy prices for their often-repeated mistakes. In the initial days of the pandemic, when the people were desperately waiting for a helping hand, Modi government was busy arranging reception for Donald Trump! After the return of the most celebrated visitor the government and its political supporters began to propagate that Corona is nothing but another flu. They neither understood nor accepted the gravity of the grave situation. They should be remembered as generals who fought their battle without a strategy.

For winning any battle, knowing the strength of the enemy is crucial. From that point began the failure of Modi government. They thought that banging the plates and lighting the lamps would defeat the virus. The next step was the glorification of cow dung and urine as effective remedies. At that stage vaccines were never their priority. All those who demanded universal vaccination were ridiculed. The advice of experts, doctors and scientists were just ignored. During those days the country witnessed the arrogance and contempt of the government towards science and scientists. When the prime minister showers praise for the health warriors, people would naturally remember the earlier stance of the government.

The plight of the people during the war against Covid was so miserable. The lockdown imposed with four hours’ notice proved the government's disregard for the working masses and common people. The mass exodus of the migrant labourers will remain as an unforgettable story in the people’s memory. The economic crisis has ruined the living standards of the people in every sector of life. The benefits promised in the packages have never reached the majority of those who deserved. The irony of the Covid days is that a very small segment of the population, the super-rich, expanded their profits while every other section suffered setbacks

Even at that stage the government was not very keen about universal vaccination. Finally, though belated, the government began talking about vaccination. The idea of free vaccination was not in their original plans. It was only at the insistence of the Supreme Court,vaccination became free for the people. The prime minister lauded the vaccine manufacturers for their great service. How much have they gained for this service to the nation? Only those private companies and the government know the details.

What about the public sector pharmaceuticals in India? The ‘Atmanirbhar’ government did not even think of them in its fight against Covid. It is because of those public sector companies India became the pharmacy of the world. Their experience and scientific knowledge were consciously kept aside for the private companies. The Indian company that produced Covishield was using a foreign formula for their vaccine. The ‘swadeshi’ government, in fact, was depending upon the philosophy of FDI in this case also. The Sangh Parivar propagandists believe that people won’t take note of this treachery. It is for that purpose Prime Minister Modi came out with the success story of the Covid vaccine. But he is yet to say when the goal of total vaccination for every Indian will be achieved! (IPA Service)