Bhakt News-Media and In-ept Opposition

Bhakt News-Media and In-ept Opposition​

By: Amit Bhushan Date: 21st Mar.2020

People are in a bind as they have been hit with an unprecedented and unanticipated pandemic called Corona or COVID-19. This has consumed almost all the focus putting sundry political developments out of limelight. Apparently the media and government is making a push in educating the public, taking precautionary measures like travel restrictions, readying government labs for test and hospitals for healthcare. There are state government initiatives for not only hospitalization of those sick with the disease, but also some financial compensation to those being negatively impacted by the lock-down like situation. Apprently quite a few measures are being taken and these spill and splash over the entire media. It also seems like the even the opposition is chipping-in by making its point on the media, states ruled by opposition making their efforts public and even ensuring support to the government. There have been moves where-in the government has even tries to convert some of the hotels into isolation wards/treatment centers for those who have been affected by the virus or seem to be prone to it. There seem to be a slew of measure from industry announcing Work-from-home measures, shut-down of educational institutions, malls/shopping complexes, places of worship (large ones only), etc. Media is also blazing news/lesons from abroad where the virus has left a trail of deaths and destruction (of economy). Seems at the high level, there is cooperation between various bodies although its effectiveness is yet to be understood.

Then on the flip side we have the VIP culture still intact where-in VIP parties continue admist all the hulla-boo about the virus. There seems to be shortage of masks and sanitizers with such products being sold at several times its normal price (some impact cosidering sudden surge in demand). Quite a few non-VIPs also defying ‘quarantine’ advisories and some of them being caught in their attempts while some others being filmed by the media trying to figure out out loose ends. The news media reported with vigour about private testing laboratories keen-ness to kick-off COVID-19 tests which in a way has been acquised for by the government, however we still want private hospitals to come forward and set up a treatment or isolation ward for COVID-19. This could have been done at their normal facility or by taking some of the empty hotels on the rent may be with some government support. We already have Jan-Aarogya scheme, although this has gone out of focus for now for reasons not known. Probably there might be a need to blend these to formulate a scheme that helps ready the hospitalization/isolation infra for a looming crisis with such potential. Government doctors and healthcare bureaucracy should be identified, who can perform monitoring of such schemes and control payouts. But it seems not only the government but also the opposition Netas not interested in such “public-private partnership” schemes, but would persist with rather limited resources. To augment medical resources to tackle crsis of this magnitude, one needs to put togeather this ‘Public-private partnership’ model rather than simply making noise that we are doing everything but sundry public not supporting. Of course when such model is being put up a large chache of public would be drawn to bring about enough pressure on communities/families that they respect quarantine and other advisories. Let the ‘Game’ evolve…..

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

Amit Bhushan's article, "Bhakt News-Media and In-ept Opposition," dated March 21, 2020, offers a critical perspective on the Indian media and political landscape at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The piece, while acknowledging the initial cooperative efforts, quickly pivots to highlight perceived shortcomings and systemic issues.

Review of "Bhakt News-Media and In-ept Opposition" by Amit Bhushan

Amit Bhushan's article, written during the crucial early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in India (March 2020), provides a discerning, albeit critical, snapshot of the nation's response. While commending the visible governmental and media push for public education and precautionary measures, Bhushan deftly peels back layers to expose underlying issues within both the media and the political opposition.

Initial Unity and Lingering Concerns

The article begins by painting a picture of initial collective action. Bhushan notes the government's efforts in travel restrictions, preparing testing labs and hospitals, and state-level initiatives for hospitalization and financial aid. He also observes the media's active role in disseminating information and lessons from abroad, and even a seeming cooperation from the opposition. This sets up a contrast for the criticisms that follow, suggesting that while superficial unity might exist, deeper structural problems persist.

The Persistence of "VIP Culture" and Missed Opportunities

Bhushan swiftly transitions to highlight what he perceives as a continuation of "VIP culture" amidst the crisis, citing ongoing VIP parties despite public advisories. More significantly, he points to critical shortages of masks and sanitizers, with exorbitant pricing, and instances of non-VIPs defying quarantine. While the media reports on private labs' eagerness to conduct tests, Bhushan laments the apparent lack of interest from both government and opposition leaders in leveraging private hospitals for treatment or isolation wards. He subtly critiques the neglect of existing schemes like "Jan-Aarogya" and argues passionately for a robust "public-private partnership" model, suggesting that the current approach relies on "rather limited resources" and mere "noise" instead of concrete, collaborative action.

A Critical Gaze on Media and Opposition Dynamics

The title itself, "Bhakt News-Media and In-ept Opposition," sets the tone for Bhushan's underlying critique. Although not explicitly detailing instances of "Bhakt News-Media" in this specific excerpt, the implication is that even during a crisis, certain media outlets might lean towards amplifying government narratives or sensationalizing issues ("figuring out loose ends" regarding quarantine defiers) rather than pushing for more profound systemic changes. The phrase "in-ept Opposition" directly points to what Bhushan sees as their failure to advocate for or support vital initiatives like public-private partnerships, choosing instead to "persist with rather limited resources" or merely "making noise."

In essence, Bhushan's piece is a poignant commentary from the early pandemic, advocating for a more integrated, pragmatic, and less politically fragmented approach to crisis management. It serves as a reminder of the need for robust public-private collaboration and a media and opposition that can transcend immediate political gains to focus on the long-term well-being of the populace. His concluding thought, "Let the ‘Game’ evolve…," suggests a weary hope that stakeholders will learn and adapt for the better.