Whispers Forum

It is no sign of excellence of administration in the country if the Prime Minister has to personally supervise management of crises whenever they occur: floods, famine, excess/deficit rains, epidemics like the Wuhan Virus or war. The very fact that the country’s top management did not know how to tackle crises of such magnitudes is evident from the constitution of so many high-powered groups. It means the training given to these bureaucrats does not cover management of crises of any kind. What will they do? Issue strict orders only? Who will implement these orders? Are they at the same wave length? I am afraid, no; no, they are not at the same wave length. There is no SOP visible to handle a crisis of the nature of COVID-19 induced lockdown and its effect. To illustrate the point consider this: most families depend on supply of essentials both in rural as well as urban habitats on a daily basis; millions living in small flats in cities can not store provisions for more than a fortnight because of space constraint (where do they get space for home quarantine?), senior citizens can’t go out to the market obeying government’s good advice and can’t get essentials delivered to the door as practiced in cities where home delivery has become the norm and must remain hungry, there is no short distance transport to go to the local market and bring essentials and carrying them on a back pack is impossible, more people will die in India if they live like this than any epidemic can cause, visiting a doctor is now impossible, mass dislocation/disruption and loss of livelihood/employment means death due to starvation, nobody can feed 130 crore population for a month or more if managing the affairs in such difficult circumstances is not well thought and well worked out. The high-powered groups will use only their common sense, experience, imagination and sentimentality. The traumatic experiences of 1962 Chinese war, 1965 Pakistan war, 1971 Pakistan war still revive chilling experiences of suffering of the people. Smart citizens started hoarding 3 months ration just after the Janata Lockdown, only those who believed the government are finding things bad. Now, the rumours/genuine news of extension of the lockdown are frightening. Better lift the lockdown or announce how people will get the essential supplies home delivered by ordering on phone. If chaos is created by unimaginative administrative conduct, it will prove very costly to the nation.
M L Gupta

Instead of pruning the number of private banks, there is a need of having a regulatory authority with a lot of canine teeth. Banking is a business. It is not the government's job to be in the business of business. Every time a thing goes wrong in both the private (Yes Bank) of public sector (Punjab National Bank) the honest tax payers of the country have to bear the brunt. Their hard earned money is used in settling the unethical practices of certain individuals. The depositors of money in the banks also need to share the burden of risks in a business environment. Like taking back lesser amount of principal, interests etc. in the event of settlement of dues.
Anurag Srivasrava
Govt should accept Mallaya’s offer
Mallaya has offered to again pay the Kingfisher dues. Govt should accept the same. Let the proceedings continue.
Sreesayee Prasad

It is trahi trahi already from East to West China, Korea, Japan, many other states faced the fury of COVID-19 before many could assess the full impact of the virus. Till Italy shook Europe, Iran other nations, the virus reached America and England. The daily rise in the numbers of the sick sudden deaths rising from single digit to two in the early days and three later shocked the world community instantly casting a pall of gloom throwing normal life in to lockdown everywhere jolting The smugly 6 billion world community Gasping at numbers of the dead & sick The tragic irony of super powers killing millions like flies in wanton nuclear war Devastating and destroying in minutes The whole world at the press of a button Ignoring signals of Benevolent Nature The only Super Power in the universe Nature’s annoyance is too apparent to Ignore or its power to punish the guilty Unless human conduct changes fast it Will invite the wrath of the Benevolent Going into a panic mode is not enough Trahi trahi- the individual cry of alarm Knowing not when it will abate, subside The remedy though lies in human mind Pray to the Mighty the Benevolent: say Trahimaam, trahimaam O! Benevolent Save me, protect me, forgive me Mother Community of nations in solemn unison.
M L Gupta
Appoint them
If facts quoted by Arun Sharma are correct, then Government should appoint all these qualified MBBS persons on contract basis for Two years. They can be considered for regular appointment there after.
S Gopal

It is really a state of quandary that when the banks are jostling with the humongous NPA’s there still is a rat race in the banks to sell the third party products be it mutual funds, Insurance or any other financial instrument.
It is axiomatic that bankers are not trained and well versed with selling of the third party products and even the fee based income by selling these items is miniscule balance sheet of the banks. Moreover, the most bright employees of the banks be placed in the Loan Recovery Section so that they ruminate for the recovery of the bank dues, out of box to nip the nefarious acts of errant borrowers who are trained to eat away the funds of banks.
Mahendra Kumar Goel
High level Empowered Groups – a very good move
High level Empowered Groups constituted; Very good move. They should be given adequate Administrative and Financial Powers
S Gopal
Sanity required in locked down India
The PM has correctly asked India to be self disciplined for 21 days . That requires Essential Services to be seamlessly working . These are:- Hospitals , Doctors , Nursing staff , healthcare workers for elderly to be given curfew passes. Logistics is the backbone of Indian Lockdown. That requires Trucks, Drivers, loading staff and more to be given curfew passes. That will ensure food , milk, medicines, and more to be supplied seamlessly to retail outlets across the country. Currently a state of confusion prevails as police at borders are not letting drivers bring in loaded trucks with supplies ! That is ridiculous. Panic and shortages must not be created in India. The Home Ministry must ensure the same and if necessary request our Indian Army to assist. The Indian Armed Forces are very capable in war and peace to ensure logistics are supplied all over the country . Their role can be expanded now to ensure Indian people receive supplies . During demonetisation the IAF flew currency in to banks . The Indian Armed Forces can easily assist trucking companies to supply food , medicines and more. A national effort for next 30 days is required.
Devindra Sethi