One picture
seen on twitter made me post this ~ and am really moved by this thoughtful act
by the people and Govt. River
Krishna, is the fourth longest river
which flows entirely in India, after the Ganges, Godavari and Narmada. One for
sure would not miss the long bridge on this river nearer Bejawada [Vijayawada
station].
Covid-19 –
imperative that you stay at home ! ~ no reasons are good enough. Just be at
home. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has
come forward in support of those affected by the 21-day lockdown due to
COVID-19 pandemic, pledging to donate rice worth Rs 50 lakh for the
underprivileged. Ganguly along with Lal
Baba Rice will provide for the needy people who have been put in government
schools for safety and security, the Cricket Association of Bengal announced in
a statement.
"Inspiring to
see people across India coming together despite being physically apart to
applaud workers on the frontlines combatting COVID-19," Acting Assistant
Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G Wells said in a tweet on
Monday. The UN has expressed solidarity
with India in its fight against coronavirus, with a top official at the world
body's health agency praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 21-day nationwide
lockdown as a "comprehensive and robust" response to the raging
COVID-19 pandemic.
In one country
after the other, lockdowns have emerged as the key response against the
coronavirus pandemic. There are, however, significant differences between
lockdowns across the countries, and these variations have an impact on a
nation’s ability to contain the spread of Covid-19 and reduce fatalities. China, the epicenter of the coronavirus, implemented
the harshest form of lockdown in Wuhan after nearly 30 deaths had occurred. In
about two months, China managed to bring
down the number of daily new cases to single digits. In contrast, Italy — the new epicenter —
implemented a gradual and less stringent nationwide lockdown that began only
after 800 deaths. As a consequence, Italy is nowhere close to China when it
comes to bringing the outbreak under control.
At least 3,700
persons were arrested on charges of violating the island-wide police curfew
currently in effect in Sri Lanka as a preventive measure against the
coronavirus pandemic, according to the senior officer on Thursday. A total of
702 vehicles, including motorcycles and three-wheelers were also seized by the
police, he further added. On Friday, the Sri Lankan government had announced a
nationwide curfew until March 23 as a preventive measure against the
coronavirus pandemic.
We the
citizens of India must abide by all the instructions and ensure that our Nation
emerges unscathed – winning the dreaded Corona Virus and here is how one city
shows us the way .. if our city is not so, we should feel ashamed !
Bezawada (as
Vijayawada was known then) was founded around 626 A.D. by Paricchedi Kings.
Vijayawada was ruled by King Madhava Varma
of Vishnukundina dynasty). Chinese traveller Xuanzang stayed a few years in
Bezawada in around 640 A.D.
Earlier
known as Bezawada, Vijayawada is a Commercial city with a hot climate – you can
feel the heat as the train enters this region ~ Indian Railways has assigned
the station code - "BZA". This
politically active city is well connected by road, air and more specifically by
rail. It is a major Railway junction
located in South Central Railway. Trains
from Tamilnadu towards Hyderabad pass through ~ trains to Howrah & beyond;
the National Capital and beyond – all have to compulsorily pass through this
Junction. The station has 10 platforms
and is one of the busiest with more than 250 express and 150 freight trains passing
through it. The station was constructed
in 1888 when the Southern Maharatta Railway's main eastward route was connected
with other lines going through Vijayawada. By some accounts, an average of
70,000 people board different trains each day and an equal number of commuters
exit trains at the station.
This is
not about the history or of the culture of the people but how the people of
Vijayawada and the Govt has reacted positively to lockdown announced by the
Govt. The ever busy Railway station, the
city streaming with visitors from neighbouring State and districts – all appeared
a thing of the past – as lockdown was announced.
Andhra Pradesh Govt
has swiftly shifted Rytu bazaars (Govt run vegetable markets) where farmers
directly sell vegetables in Vijayawada to nearer open grounds to ensure Social
distancing among people. Photos on
twitter show demarcations clearly made to keep distance between people while
they stand and people faithfully following them.
Hail thy
people; hail their discipline – Vijayawada is a shining example. Let us follow them.
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
26.3.2020.
PS : In
2011 a Telegu film based on vijaywada gang war - directed by Vivek Krishna and
produced by Ram Gopal Varma, featuring Naga Chaitanya and Amala Paul was
released. It reportedly was a disaster
in box office.
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