Vaccine Maitri helps India get best of global assistance ::: Govt enlists services of Armed Forces to augment health facilities

How Modi's 'world vision' pays ! Vaccine Maitri helps India get best of global assistance during Covid Crisis 

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "As requested by Govt of India, we'll be providing raw materials for production of Covishield vaccine at Serum Institute. Given that there's not enough of supply for entire global manufacturing effort and in light of current crisis. The US is diverting order to India".

"We are in close touch with India over raw material needs they have".

Diplomacy: Half Glass Full or otherwise 

The prophets of doom again got it on their nose. Despite initial hiccups, now the global support including from certain 'unexpected' quarters have come in proving for once that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Vaccine Maitri' has yielded dividends. 

Saudi Arabia was one such country. The world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in Dubai and the Adnoc headquarters in Abu Dhabi were lit up with the Indian flag as well as the message "Stay Strong India" on April 25, Sunday night.

"Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need," tweeted US President Joe Biden. Others also chipped in. 

In all these German Chancellor Angela Merkel's shift of stance is a classic case. Two days back she had warned India and even wanted Europe to rethink medical supplies from India if New Delhi failed to export due to its own crisis. But on Sunday, she promised a 'mission of support'. 

"To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities," Merkel said. 

Altogether a dozen countries have come forward to help India. This is certainly owing to the good will developed by the Modi regime especially since 2020 once Covid19 crisis had taken toll in western world. The government faced flak and even was mocked for sending vaccines overseas - including both export and as gifts - all these have now paid off. 

Of course 'China angle' needs closer scrutiny for more reasons than one. Of course, the Government of India was not counting much on Beijing. It has again been proved that its words were opposite of its actions on ground. 

Deception: An Art

A leading Chinese airlines has suspended all cargo flights to India. These aircraft were supposed to get medical supplies, oxygen concentrators and other items. There was another typical tricky game. Chinese manufacturing companies were trying to garner larger shares of the profit even during these devastation times confronting India. Hope 'Chinese sympathisers' in India take a relook at their policy ! 

Prices of certain medical items were quickly increased; and freight charges were also jacked up by about 20 percent. Why? 

In 2020, if our memory serves right - China had supplied India faulty testing kits. After the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) asked all states to 'stop using rapid testing kits imported from two Chinese companies', Ji Rong, spokesperson and Counselor of Chinese Embassy in India, has said China is "deeply concerned" with the evaluation results and the ICMR decision. 

Some states had raised issues regarding the performance of rapid antibody test kits procured from Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics as results have shown "wide variation".  

From Singapore within hours of the crisis, four cryogenic Oxygen tanks were airlifted. Saudi Arabia showed a special gesture and also sent 80 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen.

Assistance from France, Denmark, Australia, Britain also poured in. Afghanistan, and Bhutan also extended support. 

"We stand side by side with India in the shared fight against COVID-19. Vital medical equipment is on its way from the UK to India to help stop the tragic loss of life from the virus and we’ll continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted. 

The UK will send more than 600 pieces of medical equipment to India and first nine planeloads of kit, which will include 'oxygen concentrators and ventilators' are likely to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday, April 27.

The 'Soft power' game means persuasive diplomacy. It may be out of the box, but not something out of the blue. The fact of the matter is internationally, India's prestige has gone up due to 'Vaccine Maitri'.

It was a golden chapter in 'global leadership' for the Modi regime when countries such as Canada, the US and Britain got busy in buying vaccines.  

Time to get Blessings: Blogger

"Had a fruitful conversation with @POTUS @JoeBiden today. We discussed the evolving Covid situation in both countries in detail. I thanked President Biden for the support being provided by the United States to India.

"My discussion with @POTUS @JoeBiden also underscored the importance of smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines. India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19," Modi tweeted.

Govt enlists services of Armed Forces to augment health facilities to brave Covid challenges

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, April 26, met Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and reviewed the preparations and operations being undertaken by the Armed Forces to deal with the pandemic.

"The CDS briefed the Prime Minister that all medical personnel from armed forces who have retired or taken premature retirement in the last two years are being recalled to work in Covid facilities within proximity of their present place of residence," a PMO release said. 

Meanwhile, in a tweet, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said -"All efforts to strengthen India’s fight against the pandemic are on. 318 Philips Oxygen Concentrators onAir India flight from JFK Airport landed at Delhi airport".

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He also wrote: "Let there be no doubt. We will turn the tide".

Other medical officers who retired earlier have also been requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency help lines.

The Prime Minister was also informed that all medical officers on staff appointments at Command HQ, Corps HQ, Division HQ & similar HQ of Navy and Air-Force will be employed at hospitals.

The CDS informed the PM that nursing personnel are being employed in large numbers to complement the doctors at the hospitals. Mr Modi was also briefed that oxygen cylinders available with armed forces in various establishments will be released for hospitals.

The CDS also said that they are creating medical facilities in large numbers and where possible military medical infrastructure will be made available to civilians.

The PM also reviewed the operations being undertaken by Indian Air Force to transport oxygen and other essentials within India and abroad.

PM also discussed with the CDS that Kendriya and Rajya Sainik Welfare Boards and Officers posted in various headquarters in veterans cells may be instructed to coordinate the services of veterans to extend the reach to maximum extent possible including in remote areas.

In line with the Prime Minister’s direction of boosting availability of oxygen to hospitals, the PM CARES Fund has already given approval for allocation of funds for installation of 551 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants inside public health facilities in the country. 

Mr Modi has directed that these plants should be made functional as soon as possible. 

International efforts have started to help India at this hour of crisis. Cities including national capital delhihave reported critical oxygen shortages amid a devastating surge in Covid cases.

The UK has begun sending ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices. 

The US has lifted a ban on sending raw materials abroad, enabling India to make more of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Karnataka imposed 14-day Lockdown commencing from April 27. Delhi has extended its lockdown till May 3.Many overcrowded hospitals have turned patients away.

"Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need," tweeted US President Joe Biden.

US NSA Jake Sullivan has spoken to Indian counterpart Ajit Doval about the spike in Covid cases.

"The United States stands in solidarity with the people of India and we are deploying more supplies and resources," he said.

Prime Minister Modi also had a phone call on Monday with his Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide.

The two leaders discussed the COVID-19 situation in the respective country and exchanged views on various regional and global challenges posed by the pandemic. They highlighted the importance of close India-Japan cooperation to overcome these challenges, such as by working together to create resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply chains.

Both the leaders also laid emphasis on ensuring reliable supply of critical materials and technologies and developing new partnerships in manufacturing and skill development. 

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