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Despite the hanging on April 12 of Abdul Majed – ex-Bangladesh army captain better known as ‘Mujib killer’ – in a Dhaka prison, people continue to ask probing questions about India’s role in South Asia during the turbulent seventies. This comes as a surprise for foreign policy experts in India, or at least it should. The present climate of opinion prevailing in Bangladesh does not endorse the facile conclusion currently being projected in sections of the Indian media---namely that bilateral relations have been strengthened by the relentless anti-terror drive launched by the Awami League.

Current data seems to indicate that India is entering a safe zone as far as the Covid-19 pandemic is concerned.

Abundance of courage, foresight and ability to achieve the administrative cohesion among various wings are essential ingredients for successful governance in a country like India with a huge population of 1370 milllion. The NaMo government acted with lack of essential understanding and more in fear to deal with the pandemic corona virus that came from outside. The 260 millions strong Indian middle class and economically strong outsiders felt comfortable with imposition of the 21 days lock down on entire India. The decision suddenly announced by the Prime Minister was welcomed by the class with economic strength that did not have to worry much over the cessation of all activities including movements outside their homes but the government had not given thought to the impact on the classes that have to depend on their earnings to have food every day to survive.

Yes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hasn’t so far given a hint of what he holds for India on May 3. Will Lockdown Phase 2 morph into Lockdown Phase 3? There are no doubts on whether it will be imposed seamlessly, but there are uncertainties if it will be accepted without protests. The queries are gathered at the gates.

It is a moment of smouldering anger. Deprivation has reached to the core, and the process continues. All the gains achieved through bitter struggles are taken away unceremoniously. More than a century ago, when the toilers were raising their flag of revolt, sacrificing their life, in Chicago, the culminating moment arrived, the demand for eight- hour was acceded, though only after taking the toll of eight lives, who were hanged on court orders. Today, corporate led ruling powers, on the pretext of fighting Covid 19, are keen to set the clock of exploitation back, legalising the twelve-hour working day. Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, both BJP ruled states, have already set the ball rolling. There has also been raised the demand to reduce the wages for the contract workers. And that is not all. There are attempts to finalise the labour law codification process, and hammer in the final nail taking away the right to get organised, go on strike, and demand justice.

The rulers of UAE expressing annoyance and concern at the hatred campaign launched by some Narendra Modi acolytes and RSS cadres in that country probably has not gone down well with the RSS and also with Modi.

The history of the 21st century would be earmarked by COVID19 and the fight undertaken by the countries of the world to defeat the pandemic. The world has had to stand face to face with so many new situations in social life. The economics and politics behind these developments would also be deeply analysed in the coming days. The crisis that broke out in December 2019 still haunts humanity more than anything else. Such a pandemic in its aggressive magnitude is something new to the human kind. It was much more fierce than the world wars and pandemics like Spanish flu and cholera.

The coronavirus global pandemic is still raging with its epicentre in the United States of America. It is during this time that President Trump and his administration have launched a frontal campaign against China, blaming it for the creation of the virus and its spread going to the extent of demanding compensation for the damage caused.

Eight core industries, which constitute over 40 per cent of the total industrial production, have shrunk by 6.5 per cent in March 2020. This decline is by and large before the nationwide lock down was imposed, but these figures reveal what really to expect from the industrial sector. The only silver lining was that coal production in March increased by 4 per cent, although cumulative production during the current year was marginally down. Crude oil production was down by 5.5 per cent, while natural gas production plummeted by 15 per cent.

The rise of coronavirus across the globe led to countries introducing methods to curb its physical ramifications. One of the most common modes adopted by nations was mandatory social distancing, lockdowns, closure of educational institutions and offices, public places, etc. The social lives of millions came to a standstill overnight. For instance, in India, on 24th March 2020, at 8 p.m., the Prime Minister announced a complete nationwide lockdown commencing from midnight. This caused a country of 1.3 billion to launch into survival mode and gave them four hours to gird up their loins for a life-altering reality. The imposition of re-defined social norms, although necessary to control the virus, invisibly affects the mental health of the masses.