In the face of the Virus-the World is one family

I grew up to believe in the ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means ‘the world is one family’.It has never resounded more then in recent times.When I say World, I mean not only people but flora and fauna too.

The waves of deadly viruses is becoming too often.First SARS,then MERS and now COVID-19.These are zoonotic diseases that start with animals and get transferred to human body.Plundering habitats of species that carry these diseases and worse consuming them mindlessly is what has brought us here.We need to show some serious respect to Mother Nature.

It is important to think global.One country cannot sit pretty and think we will not be affected from 1000s of miles away.It is in interest of All that every country and every community remains healthy.

We are so busy spending millions on trying to figure out how to get to Mars but are forgetting to take care of our beautiful planet.I was surprised to learn that according to one estimate,cost of finding one Coronavirus treatment safe to administer was USD 275-350 million.If you compare this to human suffering and economic losses,this is probably peanuts.

The current times warrant compassion,humility and common sense.Some social distancing and lot of hand washing would help.No need to panic and hoard.Causing pressure on supply chain means health care workers and social workers-the front line people being left vulnerable.

Let’s take a deep breath and hope this passes soon.May we all learn lessons of thinking global,sacrificing for greater good and paying attention to how each of us are contributing to calamities that are becoming too often.