WINNIPEG: Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Government of India announced that international flights will not be not allowed until November. This has further deepened uncertainties for the avitation industry.
The aviation industry and the hospitality sector are among the worst-hit by the Covid pandemic. Most governments have extended support to the airline industry as tourism and employment depend on it in a big way. But what are the Government of India and various state governments doing to help this sector? Have they thought about millions of people that this industry supports?
It’s disheartening that the government has never mentioned how it will help the aviation industry out of this crisis. The whole of Europe and North America are in the second wave of corona and people are scared. But in our India, people are busy with election rallies and not bothered about the second wave. Not a single standard operating procedure is being followed.
I am taken back by the fact that the PM and senior cabinet ministers held election meetings where no Covid-related rules were followed. This is our Bharat Ka Vikas! Wait and watch, India! I am scared about how we will handle this situation. It’s my humble request to the ruling party and the Opposition to think about the public and their problems.
As I watched on social media and TV channels, BJP senior leaders and cabinet minister spared no efforts during the Bihar election. My suggestion to them is to show the same zeal to put the Indian economy back on rails and save small and medium businesses so that jobs are created for the youth and migrant workers. I hope Modiji is getting the right advice.
Small businesses are India’s backbone. But in Mumbai and other cities, thousands of such businesses have been very badly impacted. Many are on sale. Why aren’t the Centre or State governments talking about this? Political parties should work with big corporate houses and NGOs to revive the economy and save small and medium businesses.
Please take help from your NRI brothers and sisters. They will be more than happy to help their matrubhoomi. If a NRI family supports with 51$ a month for up to 6 months, it will be just $356! This money can be given to reputed NGOs to help small businesses. Use Indian missions all around the globe and NRI cells of parties to appeal for NRI help. India needs its leaders to rise to the challenge. Vande Matram!
(Hemant Shah is a Indo-Canadian businessman based in Winnipeg)
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