“Janata Curfew” has become a buzz word after India’s Prime Minister announced it as a public initiated moment to curb the spread of Corona virus which has taken 20,000+ lives till 25th March 2020.
Almost every residents in India, officials of global agencies involved in managing the pandemic and many global leader are lauding the way social distancing being initiated in India. While the world is yet to see the way situation unfolds in India and how we tackle it, some of the biggest challenge in India is 2nd largest population in the world and not having the best of healthcare infrastructure.
We live in a country which is home to people from all religions, belief, culture, eating habits. Everyone has their own opinion and not to forget a very strong one. We are also have one the largest smartphone and internet user base in India. You can just make any video and send it to few people on Watsapp. In few days this becomes a reality for people. People don’t even bother to check the facts of the messages received. In our country implementing a simple decision for good of people is criticized, opposed or not followed just because of different political party’s affiliation or belief system of people. In such scenario without involvement of people nothings can be done.
Human behavior is very unpredictable, if choices are imposed upon, people tend to not like it however if they choose anything willingly, however bad it may be, we are happy with it.
“Janata Curfew” the effort of PM in stoking national feeling in enforcing unofficial lock down by requesting people to stay at home that too without issuing a Govt order has been innovative. PM has also requested all the residents to clap or use a gesture to thank all the people who are away from their family, trying to service us in the best manner possible and helping us in fighting with the deadly virus. While doing it not only me but many of you would have realized that this activity boosts morale of all the people away from their home to ensure that we are all safe. Everyone clapping or making sound using plates/spoon has given feeling of being united as one in fighting against COVID 19.
This is not the first time when Modi has done this for most of the societal changes i.e. Swatcha Bharat, Beti Padhao, Fit India, Khelo India and Giving up subsidy have been similar examples he has set in the past. These movements have been definitely some the largest public movement around the world with minimal involvement of Government. The most critical aspect has been change in behavior of people, involving common man and motivating them to be a part of movement. Fit India has also made Yoga globally accepted fitness exercise, Swatcha Bharat has ensured that streets of India are not only clean but hygienic as well.
The biggest success was seen in giving up cooking gas subsidy by people of India who don’t need it. Historically this subsidy has been available to every person in the country. The Government announced ‘Ujjawala Scheme’ under which cooking gas was provided to rural population without any cost. There were questions w.r.t. this expense damaging exchequer in big way. This to was also managed by Modi by just asking people to give up subsidy who can afford it otherwise as well. People not only in urban but in semi-urban/rural area gave up subsidy so that those who can not afford get it for free from Govt. This is the strength of PM’s appeal. This is a lesson to most of the global leaders that one needs to connect with it’s people if they want to be a true leader.
While our Prime Minister Modi has been able to involve citizens in taking this first step of this genomic war against Covid 19 virus, the time will only tell how it unfolds in coming days.