The explosion of Omicron in other countries and detection of similar cases in India should put all the states and the Center on alert. Declarations to follow COVID-appropriate behavior alone are not enough. Concrete and tough measures are missing. Even election rallies are being allowed. This line from some politicians – “If COVID-19 cases keep rising, there will be strict restrictions” – is strange. The ‘Genie’ is out of the bottle.
Visakhapatnam
People are again losing their old ways. I recently went to a place and found many people without masks or using sanitizers. When I asked why there is so much carelessness, the answer was, “There is nothing like COVID-19!” Many local people consider this whole thing to be fake news. The media once again needs to highlight the appropriate social behavior of COVID-19.
New Delhi
We seem to have learned no lessons from the earlier accidents (p. 1, “12 devotees killed, 15 injured in Vaishno Devi temple stampede”, January 2). The probable cause highlights the negligence in ensuring order. It is incomprehensible how such a huge crowd was allowed inside the cave temple without a regulated queue system. I am aware of the layout of the temple and the complicated path leading to the sanctum sanctorum of the cave as I visited the temple a few years back. Any kind of grace and expression of sympathy will not bring back the precious life lost. The event should be an eye opener for the stakeholders. Devotees should also ensure utmost discipline.
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
The incident is a lesson for a well prepared task force at such places. How was such a large-scale congregation allowed in the first place, when there is a need for effective COVID-19 protocols? Officers should be made accountable.
Noida, Uttar Pradesh
One wonders whether the temple administration had taken into account the certainty of the rapid increase in the number of devotees on that particular day, especially now that ‘badla-tourism’ is being witnessed at almost all places of interest. The authorities could impose additional restrictions on the numbers allowed for Visit During the much awaited midnight to prevent overcrowding. There should have been a full-proof system to monitor the flow of pilgrims from the sanctum sanctorum to entry and exit.
Bangalore
Chinese diplomats asked elected Indian representatives to refrain from associating with Tibetan diaspora, a clear violation of Indian sovereignty.
A deviation from long-standing diplomatic protocol, it is the epitome of Chinese ‘wolf warrior diplomacy’. Such invasions – military, diplomatic or cartographic – represent China’s desire for territorial hegemony.
Thiruvananthapuram