Awaz the Voice/New Delhi

On achieving the 1 billion mark for Covid-19 vaccination, Prime Minister Modi while addressing the nation referred to the guiding spirit of sabka sath-sabka vikas. Another important aspect which he highlighted was the determination of all Indians to overpower the deadly disease. It was the contribution of all Indians which made this feat possible.

This aspect needs a little elaboration. Let’s take a moment to recall what we have been through during the pandemic. Public memory is short and one tends to forget what a nightmare Covid-19 days were. While people were dying in thousands, those who were alive were not sure whether they would survive another day.

The medical fraternity including the doctors and the nursing staff did their bit in stopping the people from dying, the industries walked an extra mile in creating the most crucial facilities required to defeat the disease. India’s scientific community did a fabulous job. From masks, to ventilators and providing oxygen were huge challenges at that point of time. Indians’ determination has overcome all those difficulties.

Remember the value of an oxygen cylinder those days. Irrespective of religion and caste people came together to help each other in the most testing times. It is a fact that it was the participation of Indians, which made this drive a grand success. Had it not been for the whole-hearted participation of all the communities, people would still be dying in thousands today.

As they say a country must always recognise the contribution of its heroes. One of the most remarkable contributions in making the drive a success was that of religious leaders and celebrities. Among the Muslim community scholars from AMU, Jamia had appealed to people to get vaccinated. They assured people that there is no harm in taking the vaccines and that it was a must for the survival of everybody. AMU faculty had even signed an appeal to the general public in this regard.

Announcements were made from the loudspeakers at the mosques to people creating an awareness about the disease. And informing them about the rumours that the vaccine had pork fat in it. Muslim religious leaders such as Ajmer Sharif Dargah’s Diwan Zainul Abedin, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firgani Mahali, Mufti Mukarram, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid, Qari Fazul-ur-Rehman, Iman from Kolkata and Maulana Arshad Madani and Mehmood Madani of Jamait-ulema-Hind, Mufti Huzzefa Qasmi and Mufti Manzoor Ahmed Ziai of Mumbai had also appealed to the Muslim community to take all precautions. Muslims were hesitant to get vaccinated during Ramzan (fasting). The ulemas intervened and had asked them to take the vaccine. Mufti Arshad Faroqui of Deoband had issued a fatwa in favour of vaccination.

Muslim religious leaders

Celebrities such as Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Naseeruddin Shah, Akshay Kumar, Nawazuddin Siddique had also requested people to maintain social distance and take vaccinations. The mass public participation goes on to suggest that if Indians make up their mind to achieve something nothing can stop them.  The grand success of the vaccination drive is also a celebration of Indianness.

It is indeed a great feat to achieve a billion mark of vaccination to curb one of the most contagious diseases on earth. The lion’s share of credit for this feat undoubtedly goes to the Centre and state governments, which ensured that there was no discrimination against anybody. Also, the indigenous vaccine came as a blessing and ensured that India was not dependent on foreign countries for prevention and treatment of diseases anymore. Now that we have overpowered the disease let’s not forget what we had gone through and don’t let our guard down- please wear masks. It will help you save yourself from pollution as well.