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The picture is either taken from atop a high-rise or from an airplane/helicopter.
We know change is the only constant, but a drastic change occurred in 2020, whose consequence was sickness, death, and fear of a magnitude that has eclipsed even a full-blown war.
The COVID-19 situation in India took even the staunchest of optimists by surprise, tending towards absolute shock and horror. The decision to lock the nation down abruptly was in no way the worst. Still, given the context of top officials knowing this virus at least three months before the situation worsened, it shows that the government is still one of trial and error even after 74 years of Independence.
In a country with 1/6th of the world's population clustered in a mere 3% of the world's landmass, a deadly virus that spreads quickly through contact is a recipe for disaster if not managed early and properly. The early option was thrown out of the window when government officials decided not to act swiftly on the news of this outbreak in neighboring China.
Donald Trump's visit to India amidst much 'fanfare' was essential in boosting economic and socio-political relations between the two countries. It attracted large crowds and gatherings, as is expected in these kinds of events in our country. Yet, a foreign Muslim meeting in New Delhi a month later was given the face of Covid-spread in the country. The blue-touch paper was lit, and media persons swarmed this event as if this swarming in itself wasn't aiding the virus' spread.
Religion, culture, and societal divide play an essential and active role in our country's politics. However, the deaths of millions of citizens, regardless of caste, creed, sex, religion, and economic status, did not deter our political leaders from making this a huge political issue. This photograph, taken from an aerial view, shows the acceptable margins between life and death a few feet apart. Funeral pyres of covid-infected bodies were burnt amidst the shrill cries of their loved ones who had to wait inconsolably in a queue to complete the last rites of their loved ones. Cremation centers ran out of room; hence, some bodies were unceremoniously dumped in landfill sites, taking the deferral route. While on the other side, people still alive were subjected to constant fear for their lives as human contact became taboo.
No matter what religion we practice, Indian society always shows the greatest respect to the deceased. However, in 2020, we witnessed how heartlessly the bodies of COVID-infected people were either thrown into empty pits or burned hastily without any rites. Some were even just thrown into the rivers and oceans as the officials were running out of ideas to combat this massive body count that had piled up due to poor decision-making and making up racial stereotypes.
We need expert decision-makers and disaster management planners even to control the severity of this mess, let alone clean it up thoroughly.