While I recognise how #5baje5minute serves the purpose of uniting people and creating an air of positivity in these testing times, I'm skeptical of the intentions of this move and what results it may yield.
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Such a move rings a bell (no pun intended) for anyone who has studied chinese history.
Chinese dictator Mao called for farmers to clang pots and pans to carry out the unscientific 'sparrowcide', to help get rid of pests in 1950s China.
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Chinese dictator Mao called for farmers to clang pots and pans to carry out the unscientific 'sparrowcide', to help get rid of pests in 1950s China.
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Of course, the stated intentions for these two unrelated actions were completely different.
@narendramodi sought to applaud the people fighting #COVID19 on the frontlines, while only God knows what Mao was trying to achieve.
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@narendramodi sought to applaud the people fighting #COVID19 on the frontlines, while only God knows what Mao was trying to achieve.
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One must, however, look beyond the surface for both of these ideas. While people may feel good about masses clapping in unison, things like these feed into a cult of personality.
That purpose was served for both Mao and Modi.
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That purpose was served for both Mao and Modi.
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#JanataCurfew & #5baje5minute was the result of a primetime address by @narendramodi a few days ago. One where he raised several concerns, but failed to allay any.
India is heading to a crisis as far as #COVID19 is concerned, despite the 'positive energy' we created today.
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India is heading to a crisis as far as #COVID19 is concerned, despite the 'positive energy' we created today.
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There is a serious dearth of medical infrastructure in the country, as I've highlighted in the thread below.
Furthermore, we are seriously understocked for ventilators, a key resource once we hit stage 4 for #Covid19India
economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healt…
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Furthermore, we are seriously understocked for ventilators, a key resource once we hit stage 4 for #Covid19India
economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healt…
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The already brittle economy is bracing for another major hit.
As Banerjee has argued, India is suffering from a demand-side crunch. Therefore the poorest classes, with the highest propensity to spend, must be given a helping hand to stimulate demand.
news18.com/news/india/gov…
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As Banerjee has argued, India is suffering from a demand-side crunch. Therefore the poorest classes, with the highest propensity to spend, must be given a helping hand to stimulate demand.
news18.com/news/india/gov…
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Throught his address, #Modiji doesn't offer any tangible economic or infrastructural course of action. #5Baje5Minute was the 'best' that came from it: a false sense of positivity.
Meanwhile, the US govt has proposed a $ 1 trillion stimulus.
politico.com/news/2020/03/1…
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Meanwhile, the US govt has proposed a $ 1 trillion stimulus.
politico.com/news/2020/03/1…
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Sub-standard medical infrastructure in the middle of pandemic, paired with a failing economy, and no signs of help from the govt: it looks like we are heading for rock bottom.
Clapping, bursting crackers, and clanging pots in this dire situation is dystopic and depressing.
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Clapping, bursting crackers, and clanging pots in this dire situation is dystopic and depressing.
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What we have achieved, however, is cementing Modi's position as a cult figure.
Should the nation spiral in the coming weeks, and an emergency be declared, no one will question Modi's authority and ability to lead the country through perilous times, despite his failures.
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Should the nation spiral in the coming weeks, and an emergency be declared, no one will question Modi's authority and ability to lead the country through perilous times, despite his failures.
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So while we may have enjoyed the show today, in the weeks to come, the situation will worsen.
When our loved ones are queueing up for ventilators and daily wage workers are starving, I assure you: the 'positive energy' created today will not come to rescue us.
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When our loved ones are queueing up for ventilators and daily wage workers are starving, I assure you: the 'positive energy' created today will not come to rescue us.
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