Suhaib Idrees Lateef
First Internet speed was often barred whenever encounters or any synonymous activities occur. This time the internet was completely barred due to abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.It was a huge gap of 6 months and couple of weaks ago was permitted with much lower pace in name of 2g serving speed. However as of now we are seeing the world has been under the continuous transformation of COVID-19 and is fighting to it with much effort of lockdown position and curfews. Similar situation is in our Valley where whole of the state has been shut after Kashmir reports first death news in Down town area of Srinagar. The barring of internet move, as always, was to apparently prevent the spread of rumours and all that incitement to violence regarding Article 370. But the things have turned different now, taking a different shape in view of Deadly Corona Virus. Whole of the Globe, the developed countries like USA, Europe, UK, China ,Italy, South Korea and other major countries including India and our state are fighting the Pandemic. In fact the pandemic has ceased and engulfed us.
But what is the need of hour for our state is restoration of full-fledged internet. As we all know Internet and Social media has became the spine of all the issues weather politics, social, moral or our health related. If we go for reality checkouts and facts, Internet can turn a back bone in making us aware, sharing the good and updated videos or informative lectures regarding the deadly Pandemic. Indeed, Internet can turn a good source for public to awake and to remain conscious about the deadly infection and can even stop the mortal pandemic. But, Why is our administration taking is as such and facile. Alas!! How can they play politics over it? How the Administration can put a huge of mass population at stake? The irony is that, Doctors and paramedics on one side,are receiving help from internet regarding the deadly and fatal Corona in developed countries as online Doctor Consultation to treat the Corona patients while some our medical staff and we as part of largest democracy are still missing and misleading it. How come out Government be so fragile? It is not like I am talking of Internet only for Corona virus disease. Its long term and short term effects and uses for students, teachers, professionals when they have been out of their Educational hubs, when all schools and All our educational institutes have been closed in view of this fatal Virus. Where will the students go? What about their studies? What about the research of professionals that was in underwork consideration?. It is not only the single source of information but much important part of information as every purpose needs it.
Every source needs it to update the latest and good information and every user finds it facile and comfortable as they get the best and latest instructive data through it.
Internet and social media can prove much beneficial and advantageous about the disease; can make people aware and cautious to live in isolation, maintaining social distance and to remain confined to home-quarantine and self-quarantine. The Government must understand and fathom about it to save us, to save a mass of population from this deadly, malignant and pernicious Disease.
As the 21st century advances and as the ubiquity of the internet demonstrates, knowledge regarding everything and even immediate updated information is being commodized. To kept it under control and keep people custodial for it even at this time is a fool’s idea. Students, professionals, businessmen and other assorted individuals, for whom do you think, internet is not an immediate necessity. The deadly virus is killing us and we are in its mouth like a tricky bomb with shortage of internet. What kind of injustice is this?. It simply lines that Government is stocking a millions of lives at stake at this crucial and critical time. Government should leave the conflict aside, This time people are onerous and laborious for their lives. It puts a question mark to our rights as well. The right to life and health are universally recognised and are a fundamental part of our understanding of a life with dignity. Internet and social media can prove much beneficial and advantageous about the disease; can make people aware and cautious to live in isolation, maintaining social distance and to remain confined to home-quarantine and self-quarantine. The Government must understand and fathom about it to save us, to save a mass of population from this deadly, malignant and pernicious Disease.
(Author is a student of SSM college of Engineering and Technology . Views are his own)
‘COVID-19′: Where the actual problem lies
Shaukat Ahmad Khan
COVID-19 a pandemic disease, which has shaken pedestal of medical sciences across the globe. It has ruined global economies, changed political structures, and spoiled all the glee and rapture. It has compelled global powers to kneel down. This disease blew the crowns of the countries who were proud of their medical advancements.
In one of the articles of Business Insider, Rhea Mahubani, on nineteenth of March 2020 writes that China, where the coronavirus originated, has confirmed 3249 deaths. In South China Morning Post, Sidney Leng, writes that deadly coronavirus outbreak may have cost China as much as 1.38 trillion yuan (196 Billion US $) in the first two months of the year. According to one of the reports of Worldometer, USA has lost 348 human lives against this deadly disease. In one of the reports, Al-Jazeera on 21 March 2020 shows that Italy, one of the worst affected countries has reached to the 4825 number of deaths due to COVID-19 outbreak. On 09th of March 2020 UN’s trade and development agency (UNCTAD) said that, Apart from the tragic human consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic, the economic uncertainty it has sparked will likely cost the global economy one trillion US Dollars in the accounting year of 2020. The statistics of Politico Magazinewhich surveyed more than 30 smart macro thinkers shows that Coronavirus will change world’s political and economical structures permanently.
This statistics discerns how much destructive and uprooting this pandemic is. This disease has not remitted giant powers like China, USA and Italy, What if the disease spreads to a country like India which is comparatively backward than European ones. God forbid if this disease outbreak in the underdeveloped Asian countries, it will create Havoc. Thousands of people will lose their lives and economies will fall into recession.
The literate class of the society should take the duty to teach uneducated ones that How and what precautions should be taken to tackle this novel virus. That is the only way through which things can accelerate better.
What makes it difficult to tackle COVID-19 in countries like India?
We are surrounded by the people who are breaching quarantine surveillances, hiding their travel histories and mutilating truth by spreading false rumours. This stupidity and dumb headedness of both educated and uneducated classes are making it difficult for authorities to trace and tackle the disease. The lack of social encouragement and voluntary consciousness is making it worst.
Where the actual problem lies?
COVID-19 is not a privilege but a global pandemic natural disaster which can overtake anyone. But the setup of our society towards the victim is as he himself had invited this novel disease. The approach of society towards the victims of COVID-19 is compelling them to breach surveillances and hide their symptoms. The victims know that even after their recuperation the mind-set and composition of the society will associate this disease to their essence and this prejudice will haunt them for the rest of their life. You might have seen How the social media users is mocking and making fun of COVID-19 patients by making memes on social media platforms. This all discouragement and negative response of society is stipulating them to hide their symptoms, breach surveillances and hide their travel histories. If we didn’t stop this bullying and mocking this disease will surely sweep number of human, scientific and economic forces from world.
How can we tackle?
The local and international authorities have already issued advisories for their fellow people. From washing to travelling, the authorities have displayed everything which can prevent one from falling into the trap of this disease. What we have to do is just to follow the instructions and precautions which has put forwarded by authorities and experts. Secondly, we shouldn’t take this as a mean of fun because anything which claims thousands of lives and trillions of dollars can’t be a mean of fun. We all should develop consciousness. We should stop social bullying of victims and should encourage them by providing moral support. We should give them hope and should embrace them with the carpet of compassion. We should encourage the people to go voluntarily for medical tests and checkups. The literate class of the society should take the duty to teach uneducated ones that How and what precautions should be taken to tackle this novel virus. That is the only way through which things can accelerate better.
( The author has pursued his doctorate in Physical education and is presently president of AJKRKTF. Views are his own, [email protected])