Another BP Podcast is up. You can listen on Libsyn, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher (and a variety of other platforms). Probably the easiest way to keep up the podcast since we don’t have a regular schedule is to subscribe to one of the links above!
Akshar chats with Gaurav on the coronavirus’ impact in India, societal permutations, and a special tour of the Marathi political landscape. Gaurav writes on the Brown Pundits blog and features an eclectic array of positions across the Indian political spectrum.
https://twitter.com/gaurav_lele/status/1387394957112012806
“Is opening vaccinations for 18+-year-olds a political masterstroke by Modi? Chaos and rush will ensue – but the blame can be easily shifted on to states (Particularly opposition) states for problems in supply and chaos. And the states were also asking of it !
states in hubris and attempt at blaming the center were asking for 18+ to get vaccinated – Modi called their bluff and raised them one. Now they got what they were asking for and will have to bear the responsibility of chaos ensuing.”
Exactly! Now even with the 50 percent procured by the centre being adminstered smoother than the rest procured by states/pvt parties, BJP plans to contrast itself with the state admins.
*Exactly! Now even with the 50 percent procured by the centre being adminstered smoother than the rest procured by states/pvt parties, BJP plans to contrast itself with the state admins.*
Might be what they were going for-
btw Saurav bhai are u on twitter ?
I am, just under a pseudonym. 😛
I dont tweet, want one less addiction in life.
Ah, Masterstroke by Modi
Rather than working together with states to solve the crisis afflicting the nation, Supreme leader is busy “building” his image that doesn’t exist now in the first place. A person close to me is now dead due to covid just like so many others. But Modiji is playing to the gallery and Yogi Adityanath is celebrating Kumbh.
What Congress couldn’t do, they achieved in few months. Whole UP is a shitshow with even covid test taking days and people dying on the streets.
Modiji has no positive vision; no goal; and now no respect.
I’d agree if you criticized the centre for not calling off Kumbh sooner and not dumping even more funds into vaccine manufacturing, and I’m also sorry for your loss, but a lot of what you wrote is somewhat unreasonable.
Health has generally been a state subject, and pandemics don’t happen every year.
While the centre did make mistakes, I don’t see the point of statements like yours which pin everything on the centre. What are state govts. there for? This country is more than just Modi and Yogi.
I’m sorry to say this, but the #1 reason for the spread is mainly people being careless (some just being outright idiotic).
Despite the situation we’re in, I STILL see idiots (mainly 16-30 y/o people) going out and pretending like nothing is happening today. Last night some 5-6 guys from the opposite building gathered outside the building in the evening to have a chat or something, arms around shoulders, no masks. If one of them happened to be positive, then that’s a dozen more cases right there once they all go back home. And there’s still no end to dudes that are roaming around on bikes, in groups, most of them are not even wearing a mask. I’m sure the situation is still the same in many other cities too.
The only thing that kept a friend of mine from going out any further was him and his family testing positive last month. He had a Goa trip scheduled, otherwise. Dude graduated from a top NIT and has a good job.
As much as anyone would like, I can’t pin stupidity like this on any political party on the planet.
Govts. (both centre and state) could’ve done better to address the situation we’re in right now, but ending up in this situation (and further exacerbating it) is mainly up to ordinary citizens.
P.S. My comment isn’t to absolve the centre of their mistakes, but to NOT absolve others of theirs
@IsThisReal
What you write is reasonable. However, it was the government that proactively declared covid to be over. How would the general public know better? Should they not trust their govt? Modiji was only interested in winning elections rather than doing anything for the economy or health or just about any important matter.
Do you know India exported 40% of its vaccines? How is it acceptable in a high population density country?
Or do you know Modiji is wasting Rs 22000 crores on a new Parliament? He also stopped MPLADS; now MPs also can’t do anything. He does not want to work and won’t let others work.
Or do you know that States have to pay double the rate of Centre for vaccines? Just because Centre cannot place orders collectively and get 50% of the money; if money was the issue then states could have reimbursed the money or it could have been subtracted form GST. But Modiji aka Supreme leader has to play politics. Let us all play politics and let the country go to dogs. In my life, except Modiji, I never saw a PM who would let the country suffer so that he can enjoy his “game of politics”.
Devendra Fadnavis was recently caught supplying remdesivir. His nephew was caught taking vaccines. He is not in administration, and yet he trades covid supplies. No accountability, none whatsoever. This is what is happening everywhere.
Everywhere there is censorship, harassment. Just that I don’t know if even opposition is better. At least I wish Modiji loses his precious “elections”. Maybe that will beat some sense into him; and he will start listening to others.
Regarding vaccine, here is the breakdown: https://www.mea.gov.in/vaccine-supply.htm. Around 25% of the total vaccines supply was aid. And rem 20% was commercial, though how many were binding is not known to me.
@fulto
Dont really disagree with much of this but MPLADs isn’t the best of schemes
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/mplads-its-suspension-and-why-it-must-go/article31504548.ece/amp/
>>> Do you know India exported 40% of its vaccines? How is it acceptable in a high population density country?
“Its vaccines?” what are you on about? Those are contractual obligations by the vaccine creators. They were never “ours” to begin with. They were supposed to be manufactured in bulk and sold, not for us to keep. That’s like saying china exports “its 100million iphones” every year.
We(I?) know that there were contractual obligations. What was this about?
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jaishankar-says-vaccine-maitri-based-on-availability-of-adequate-stock-at-home-7233192/
Jaishankar can’t have it both ways, if indeed these were obligations(which they were) then why the dialogue-baazi and ‘vaccine-maitri’ on loudspeaker?
Always refreshing to hear Gaurav because the man speaks straight from the heart.
I disagree with much on the opinion side but I’m on the sidelines, while he’s playing the game.
Here’s hoping the Punekars get out the mess quickly, and the rest of the state follows. Each person not impacted will free up resources for the rest of country. Wish all find positivity, truthfulness and restraint, if not calmness (and less of the opposite!).