Covid – Watch : Nation awaits Navaratra with ‘mixed moments’
New Delhi, March 23: Even as the day-long nationwide ‘Janata Curfew’, called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent spread of Corona Virus, received ‘huge response’ on Sunday social distancing will face an ‘acid test’ on March 25 – the unfolding of Navaratra festival.
According to some experts, after Navaratra peoples response to ‘isolation’ will also be ‘checked thoroughly’ in the Ram Navami on April 2.
The Governments’ ‘focus’ on the two celebrations, came on Monday with implementation of ‘Delhi lockdown’, announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday, from 0600 hours today to midnight of March 31.
Incidentally, Mr. Kejriwal’s announcement advocating ‘silence of sound’ in the National Capital came two days after his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath appealed to the people to perform puja during Navaratra at their homes and avoid religious gatherings.
The district authorities in Ayodhya expect that the Ram Navami snaan (holy dip) in Ayodhya on April two would remain a low-key affair.
Amid the ‘Lockdown’ in Delhi the government is scheduled to present the budget for the financial year 2020-2021 today, in a season that has been curtailed from five days to one day due to the Novel Corona Virus and likely adjournment of Parliament.
Their are strong indications that both Houses of Parliament are likely to be adjourned sine die on Monday after passage of the Finance Bill.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took strong exception to the reported violation of the lockdown by some people threatening legal action.
“Some people are not adhering to lockdown. States should ensure implementation of Lockdown. Legal steps may be taken if needed,” PM Modi said in a tweet.
Asked to comment on the two upcoming ‘focuses’ fearing gatherings, sociologist turned scientist Ramesh Virmani said “this years’ Navaratra and also the Ram Navami assume a newer significance. It is expected that people will respond to the new situation with a new openness.
However, Mr. Virmani pointed out “it is to some extent painful to dissociate gatherings from celebrations.
Meanwhile, the Worldwide death toll from the Corona Virus pandemic escalated to nearing 14,700 with India reported three more lives in the country on Sunday from the disease to seven, as states continued to report a high number of cases which have already touched 400.
(UNI)