Putting human face mask to the worshipping deities became the popular practice during the second wave of Corona pandemic.
V.Kumaresan
All efforts are put in to combat the spread of second wave of corona pandemic. On one side all the constructive initiatives including the medical and other scientifically proven endeavours are being undertaken from the government side both the Centre and the States. On the other side, the mindset of the common people is not tuned to arrest the spread effectively. The public has to adhere to minimum efforts of wearing face masks, keeping safe distance with others and restricting the mobility and accessing public places unless it warrants. If not, the government has to announce a strict lockdown by which the economic activities would be affected that would lead to consequential effects on the livelihood.
If the public discipline themselves in the worshipping public places, the places would be kept open or else, places like temples, churches, mosques etc would be closed. Complete control of the pandemic will be possible only if all the people get vaccinated. The major hurdle in vaccination is the reluctance on the part of the public. Many avoid vaccination under the preconceived mindset that it leads to death. In practice no such risk has been proved. The fast recovery in the western countries from the Corona pandemic is due to the acceptance of a majority section for vaccination. People must realise that the permanent remedy from the pandemic remains vaccination.
On the other hand the exercise of god-men administering vaccines / medicines to the deities to protect them from the infection. How could the omnipotent be susceptible to corona infection? This is nothing but a mockery. In Puri Jaganatha temple, the worshipping deities are periodically checked up for corona (How is the corona infection diagnosed in the deities?) Such meaningless exercises shift the focus from educating the ignorant masses on the need for vaccine.
There is yet another undesirable move on the part of god man – yoga practitioner, Baba Ramdev, declaring the allopathic treatment for Corona is ineffective without quoting any evidence. This challenge has been posed by the god-man outfit, patronized by the BJP government. The entire government machinery is deploying allopathic treatment to arrest the Corona pandemic. This is not the time to create controversy and get publicity. Ramdev has withdrawn his declaration consequent to the appeal made by the union health minister. The withdrawal is mere verbal. Again he has challenged the allopathic doctors to attend his ayurvedic training and posed several questions. Indian Medical Association has filed a petition to challenge the deeds of Ramdev. While the concern endures to control Corona pandemic, the diverting and distorting tactics of such god-man must be condemned irrespective of his closeness to the ruling front. Let him be booked under National Disaster Management Act! Eradicating the surging superstition and condemning the deeds of the controversial god-men is the need of the hour to converge the entire attention of the government on corona control.
