A STUDY OF FRAMEWORK OF IMPLEMENTATION OF COVID EPIDEMIC AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA

Abstract

COVID 19 virus epidemic has broken out from Wuhan, China. The disease has spread across all continents and nation-states. India has also geared itself to fight the Corona viral infection ever since the first Corona patient landed in Kerala from Wuhan, China in the month of January, 2020. The contiguous nature of the disease, deadly impact of this virus on humans, inevitability of its spread due to movement of population across countries, continents and cities hardly gave time to the world to make preparations to fight this common enemy. The mankind has further been crippled because till date no medicine, vaccine or any other antidote has been found to treat and cure this viral infection. China, Spain and Italy suffered the most in the earlier phase. Many countries including India have taken to lockdowns for a prolonged period of stay to safeguard their population. India has finally opened up after lockdown 4.0 that ended on 31st May, 2020 to unlock 5.0 phase marking a beginning of resumption of activities to resume in phases It may not be out of place to mention that Globalization has been widespread among economies of the world. Supply Chains, international trade and also financial markets world over are now more closely linked and integrated than they were in the past. In today’s context, Globalization can be seen as widening and deepening of interdependent relationships among people from different nations. Rise in application of technology, liberalization of cross-border trade & resource movements and expansion of cross-national cooperation has been seen in the new millennium at an accelerated pace. This has created wealth globally benefitting the human population. The COVID pandemic has disrupted the Globalization. It can be foreseen that a new normal will be emerging when the world will come out through this crisis. WHO has been coordinating international efforts in the fight against COVID. Existence of open institutions, democracies and private sector in developed as well as the emerging economies are also making an immense contribution to fight the pandemic. This study is aimed at understanding the framework in which India is fighting this emergent situation. It can be visualized that the present situation is going to stay for some time. It is distinct from other Disasters. The pandemic has impacted our economy, society and even our foreign relationships. New trends have been seen in these difficult times will be touched in this study. An attempt has also be made in this study to touch the various facets that have impacted our lives as citizens and the challenges that India has encountered in its fight with pandemic. There is now a consensus developing as India moves to unlock 5.0 starting from first, June, 2020 that there has been a lack of collaboration among local authorities, States and Centre. There have been inconsistencies implementation. It is hurting big industries, MSMEs, supply chains and inter-state as well as intra-city movements. Reforms announced by the government may not create demand immediately. There is a shortage of labour as millions have moved back to their villages in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan. As per new reports appearing on 2

nd June, 2020 in National dailies, Moody’s have downgraded India at these critical times. This has happened to India for the first time in twenty- two years. The investment grading of India is now lowest investment grade. Thirty- five other nations have also been downgraded but India needs to move cautiously in COVID times. In unlock 5.0, India should not loose sight of its Red zones where most of the COVID infections are reported. India lives in a hostile neighbourhood. Its armed forces should continue to remain vigilant to thwart external threats so as to preserve the integrity and sovereignty of India also.