After asking us to clap our hands and bang metal on March 22nd, we are now told to light candles today for nine minutes. But will that candlelight uplift the spirit of the common man who is now so distraught?
Instead of wasting our time in such tomfoolery, let us today and every pray for our doctors, nurses and support staff who, while risking their own lives, are caring for those infected with COVID-19. So many doctors have already lost their lives in this battle. Every Doctor has lived up to the Hippocratic Oath that guides the noble profession.
In this current crisis people are in no mood for empty rhetoric, but want direction and reassurance while wanting to know how the government plans to extricate the nation from this current economic morass and whether we can protect those thousands of jobs in the organized and unorganized sector. There can be no room for symbolism. The government must undertake concrete measures to ease the pain and suffering of the poor and impoverished while the focus undoubtedly has to be on the homeless.
May the candles that the nation has been called on to illuminate the darkness in our lives for nine minutes also shed the much needed light on our rulers to guide them to a more effective way of dealing with this pandemic rather than some of the chaos that people have needlessly endured due to poor planning.
At this critical juncture in our history, in this matter of life and death situation sweeping across our nation and the world, every moment, every effort, every resource, every protective medical and scientific equipment must be concentrated on supporting our front line staff and our people with the sole aim of defeating the corona virus.
Lighting of candles represents rays of hope where there is nothing but darkness and may have the intention of providing a means of social strengthening. Let us hope that it is backed up by positive leadership and action, otherwise it may end up as merely a nine-minute wonder for some.
Our primary objective and priority must always be to ensure that all our people are kept safe, healthy, nourished and economically viable whilst at the same time meeting the World Health Organisation guidelines of safe distancing and personal hygiene.
As Edith Wharton the American novelist once observed. 'There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it'.
Aires Rodrigues
Advocate High Court
C/G-2, Shopping Complex
Ribandar Retreat,
Ribandar – Goa – 403006
Mobile No: 9822684372
Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012
Email: airesrodrigues1@gmail.com
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