LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Delhi’s Worsening Coronavirus Crisis

Due to the ‘sudden’ spurt in corona positive cases, the government of Delhi is in a tight spot. Although the rapid surge in the number of patients was attributed to a ‘clerical error’ and ‘double checking the statistics’, the damage has already been done. Nearly 45,000 patients and 2,000 deaths should send shivers down the common man’s spine. The mortality rate in the national capital is more than the national average. Experts feel community spread may have taken place in Delhi because the administration has not been able to trace the source of COVID-19 infection since the last few days. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself has said that Delhi may be home to about five lakh patients by the end of July. Kejriwal knows that the burgeoning and uneven population in Delhi and its surroundings has made his government’s task of controlling corona all the more challenging. The Chief Minister is no novice in healthcare. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s refreshing touches to the satiated Delhi healthcare were lauded cutting across parties. But COVID-19 is a different ballgame because a multipronged approach, taking all stakeholders into confidence, is indispensable. That the COVID-19 patients are unable to obtain admission and beds due to patient overflow means poor anticipation. The situation is so hostile that the administration has not been able to adequately dispose of bodies of patients who have died due to the virus. About one thousand new COVID-19-infected patients are added daily. The absence of contact tracing has pushed the potential positive patients to a corner. Seen against this backdrop, it is appropriate that the Centre and the Delhi government have a cordial meeting on thrashing out contentious issues plaguing corona care in Delhi. More COVID-19 testing kits, reduction in patient waiting time, additional space for patients and the quarantined, immediate medical care to the suspects are on the cards. There is no room for complacency; the facilities should immediately be tendered. 

GANAPATHI  BHAT, AKOLA

Remembering Sushant Singh Rajput

Sushant Singh Rajput was a very good actor. I don’t think he committed suicide. I hope investigation into his death is carried out swiftly. Only then we will know the exact cause of his death. May his soul rest in peace. Sushant was best known for his work in the TV show ‘Pavitra Rishta’ and films such as ‘M S Dhoni: The Untold Story’, ‘Detective Byomkesh Bakshy’ and ‘Chhichhore’.

JUBEL D’CRUZ, MUMBAI

Learning Art Of Living

While Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput will be remembered in the film world for making it big on his own despite coming from a small town with no film background and connections and becoming a source of inspiration for many aspiring youngsters, his drastic step of committing suicide may set a bad precedent. Youth have the inclination of blindly idolising celebrities without understanding that everything is cosmetic in this superficial showbiz world, and that celebrities are not different from us, having their own sets of problems despite having fame, name and money. In Sushant’s suicide case, the media has displayed its insensitive approach by giving a wide coverage without gauging the negative effect it may have on the minds of viewers. The growing number of suicide cases continues to be a serious issue in our society, reflecting the mental illness leading to depression. This needs to be addressed in its right perspective. The major fault lies in our education system and parenting in which children grow with the wrong notion of success and failure, where how to succeed in life is discussed but how to handle failures is hardly talked about. One should know that the journey of this life is like a roller coaster ride. It has its ups and downs where everyday life throws new challenges in terms of obstacles and hardships. These ups and downs, hardships and hurdles, joy and sorrow, teach us new lessons in life and make one stronger and wiser to become a better person and better decision-maker from one’s past experiences. Everyone goes through these phases of life. Running away from the problems of life is not the solution but facing them directly and finding a way out must be the attitude and approach in life. Situation in life keeps on changing, nothing is permanent. The secret of happiness lies in being content with whatever little one has, without craving for more. Committing suicide cannot be a solution to escape the challenges of life. Coping with the challenges of life is in fact the ‘art of living’.

SAMIR KHAN, MAPUSA