The second wave of coronavirus in India is proving more and more devastatingly fatal each day, and the peak is said to be yet to come. The numbers of new cases and fatalities are increasing on daily basis. On May 1, India recorded highest-ever 4,01,993 new cases and 3,523 deaths. With this, the infection tally rose to 1,91,64,969 and the death toll increased to 2,11,853, according to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on May 1. This tally crossed the world record till date.
This colossal humanitarian tragedy has drawn the attention of over 40 countries to help India fight this crisis. The US has so far sent three shipments of emergency relief material, the UK three shipments of over 400 oxygen concentrators so far, the UAE a consignment of Covid-19 relief material including 157 ventilators, 480 BiPAPs and other medical supplies, and two Russian flights carrying oxygen concentrators, ventilators, medicines and other essential medical equipment landed in India earlier this week.
Taiwan’s first batch of aid left for New Delhi on May 2, consisting of 150 oxygen concentrators and 500 oxygen cylinders. India received several essential medical supplies and equipment from France on May 2. A special flight from Thailand carrying medical infrastructure including 15 oxygen concentrators landed in India on May 1. Romania has sent a consignment containing 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders to India on April 30.
Ireland has sent a shipment containing 700 units of oxygen concentrators and 365 ventilators to India on April 30. Bahrain has sent a shipment of 40 MT of liquid oxygen onboard INS Talwar to India on April 30.
Saudi Arabia sent 80 tonnes of liquid oxygen and Kuwait has offered medical supplies.
Some countries like China and Pakistan that do not have cordial relations with India also offered relief supplies. Some thinkers believe that at this critical time we should accept relief supplies from these countries as well.
Ram Puniyani, a noted human rights defender and former professor of biomedical engineering and former senior medical officer affiliated with IIT Bombay, while speaking to Radiance Viewsweekly, said: “India is passing through the massive tragedy of Covid Phase 2. At this point of time our neighbour Pakistan’s help in alleviating our misery is an act of great humaneness. It reminds us that all the disputes within two countries should be resolved peacefully and an atmosphere of amity to be created. It is only through gestures like the ones of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that we can create a better world. While thanking Pakistan and Saudi for their timely help, we also need to review the popular negative perceptions about these countries. Such efforts will boost the positive popular perceptions and will go a long way to restore peace, amity and progress in the area.”
Er. Mohammad Salim, Vice President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, sharing his views on the humanitarian angle of this issue with Radiance, said: “Different countries have extended their helping hands, for it is the responsibility of a country to reach out to some country in need. Our neighbouring country Pakistan and its NGOs have also offered to provide our country with relief supplies. In view of the humanitarian tragedy we are passing through, I think we should respect the offer and should not reject it.”