Our forces ready to combat the worst situation of Covid-19.

R K Sinha 

The Indian Army never withdraws from its responsibilities towards the nation, and is always ready to serve the nation, whether it is an attack on the borders of the country by the enemy or a natural disaster within the country.This time also, during the spread of corona virus,the Army dedicated its services to the nation immediately after getting orders from the government.

The Army Medical Corps is also a highly competent medical service and is always ready to offer their services as they get directions from the government. More than eight and a half thousand army doctors and thousands of nurses and paramedical staff can certainly fight against Corona. All these are fully trained doctors. Apart from this, services of thousands of doctors retired from the army can also be utilized. They are also ready to serve whole heartedly day and night in these emergency situations, all set to fight the havoc of Corona.

It is important that emergency internal discipline and civic participation are inevitable in situations of epidemics like Corona. All army personnel are trained in it. In the absence of these, the war cannot be won. One more thing is that the army has state-of-the-art hospitals in all major cities of the country where patients with corona virus can be treated properly. Clearly, during this terrible crisis of Corona virus on the country, doctors, nurses, police, government babus, cleaning warriors etc. can also get the support of the army. Remember that in these difficult circumstances, nothing should be done to demean the morale of army, government machinery and citizens. Any such step would be suicidal. This is not the time to point out mistakes in others.

Although, the army has not yet been formally asked by the government to wage war against Corona but it is ready and active at its level. The Army is at work in preparing Quarantine facilities in all the cantonments and hospitals to deal with Corona. Nine thousand beds have already been made ready to cope up with any emergent situation. The army is capable of increasing it two-three times when needed. Apart from this, many Quarantine facilities are operating in several parts of the country. The Defense Public Sector Unit is also producing the necessary medical equipment and further, the armed core factories can be developed immediately for production.

On the other hand, the Air Force is already providing medical supplies to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur and Nagaland. According to Army chief MM Narwane, the Army has a ‘6-hour’ plan ready, under which a series of isolation centers and ICUs can be prepared immediately.

The army has prepared 25 thousand cadets of NCC to assist the civil administration. Besides shifting medical staff from one place to another, Air Force is also supplying medical items, such as Personal Protective Equipment, Hand Sanitizers, Surgical Gloves, Thermal Scanners.

In a nutshell, in view of the increasing threat of corona in the country, Indian forces are now fully geared up to jump into this great war. The transport aircraft of the Air Force are always ready for action to carry medical equipment needed to combat the most critical war-like situation arising out of Corona. Warships also have been put on alert to mitigate any situation. Meanwhile, in this alarming situation, everyone should bear in mind that he has to work under the direction of the government to fulfill a common objective. In other words, all the sanctions and orders imposed by the government, instructions from the  officials engaged in epidemic control and the police, have to be followed. Avoid all unnecessary shopping and hoarding. There is no shortage of any material and arrangements for proper supply are already in place.

If we look back, we remember that the army has done a remarkable job in the rescue operations, during the time of all disasters. A few years ago, after the terrible floods and landslides in Uttarakhand, the army had carried out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. With the assistance of other agencies, it had evacuated thousands of people stranded in inaccessible areas to safe places. During the floods in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, people are witness to tremendous vigor of courageous soldiers of Indian Air Force in relief and rescue work.

Not caring for their own lives, these brave people were performing their duties well. Despite heavy rains, the Indian Army contingent worked day and night in erecting temporary footbridges, dams and alternative routes to restore contact with remote villages. The same readiness was shown by the army during the relief work in Nepal earthquake and floods of Kashmir valley.

Like the past emergencies, the Army has fully geared up itself. Indian Army personnel have been detailed about Corona virus against which it is fully ready to fight. Even now it is engaged in helping civil administration at its level. Needless to mention that after the earthquake in Gujarat and floods in Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Kerala, the army had successfully carried out rescue and relief operations.

In Kashmir, the army continued with its duties despite facing stone-pelting. Shame to people like Kanhaiya Kumar and Shehla Rashid, who left no opportunity in blaming  these diligent and sincere army soldiers. Had there been the slightest truth in Shehla Rashid’s allegations, the country would have stood with her today. She accused the army of garnering media headlines. Shehla had made several tweets on August 18 last, accusing the army of perpetrating atrocities on Kashmiris. The allegations were termed false by the army,  on which basis, a sedition case was filed against Shehla by  Special Cell of Delhi Police.

Today, when the country is passing through a crisis, people like Kanhaiya Kumar, Harsh Mander and Shehla Rashid are missing. Why don’t they come to the ground to assist the civil administration? Should not the country expect so much from these alleged progressives who curse the government on every issue? Well, crores of Indians and military are still in place to face any adverse situation in the country right now. The country, however, is satisfied with one thing that the corona virus will be conquered soon.

(The writer is a senior editor and columnist)