Dr Sudershan Kumar
The pandemic of Covid-19 has wreaked havoc across the world causing widespread disruption to human lives. But ever since its start, there have been constant apprehensions about its origin with speculations being ripe about it being a biological weapon used by Chinese. But the “Bomb Shell” documents first released by Australians and subsequently quoted by others furthermore put thrust on the speculations about the intentions of China to develop bio warfare weapons for use in future war against its adversaries. These documents contain the deliberations between the top Chinese military scientist and health officials predicting the forthcoming war with bio weapons. The discussion seem to be held in the year 2015, five years before the COVID-19 pandemic. If this is true, then there is a possibility that Chinese scientists in collaboration with their health workers may be involved in the synthesis of SARS-Cov-2 in one of their most advanced bio safety laboratory located at Wuhan city of Hubei Province of China, which can be used as a bio warfare weapon in future wars. During earlier times, the strategic aim in the wars was either to capture the key territory or forcing surrender of political leadership/will of adversaries. In the current era, the strategic purpose of war has undergone a paradigm change and revolves around the economic collapse of adversaries, with people becoming the center of gravity of the enemy. Therefore, the enemy’s mission is to target people to such an extent that the economy of the nation gets crumbled up.
Taking a clue from this, it may not be out of the box to believe in the two theories widely aired by different experts worldwide concerning the origin of the COVID-19 virus. First, the spread may be because of an accident at the bio safety level-4 lab at Wuhan city. Second, the Chinese themselves might have launched the spread of this invincible enemy to position themselves as a single great superpower while shattering other rival nations’ economy and industrial capacity. Both these theories have supportive facts. Enough of open literature is available for debate. In general, the establishment of advanced bio laboratory, especially for synthesizing deadly viruses, is always viewed as a threat to humanity. Because these viruses can be used as weapons of mass destruction, many experts have considered SAR-Cov-2 corona virus (COVID-19) as a biological weapon. Biological weapons are the microorganisms or toxins through which one can induce disease in human beings, live stocks, and plants. These are considered to be the deadliest weapons amongst the arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, unlike nuclear. The advantage being, paralyzing the enemy and incapacitating it thus making it unable to respond. The only way left to contain it is to build capacity and prepare the general public to contain its spread. Therefore ,the role of the general public in dealing with such catastrophe is very crucial.
Five years ago, Bill Gates, a business tycoon during one of the interviews had also predicted that future wars might be due to pandemic caused by bio-warfare agents. He had mentioned this while raising concern regarding the spread of the Ebola virus. He had made a statement that “If anything that kills nearly 10 million people in next few decades it is likely to be highly infectious virus rather than war. Not missiles or Microbes”. The reason for this shift in modern warfare may be that the countries around the globe have invested heavily in the creation of nuclear deterrence but paid very little attention to the design of infrastructure and systems required to contain these epidemics.
The COVID-19, which may have originated from the infamous Wuhan lab, has engulfed almost all the nations around the globe in a brief span, thus turning the predictions of Bill Gates into reality. If one assesses the loss of human lives due to covid-19 pandemics, the numbers are alarming. As of date, nearly 156 million people have been affected, and 3.26 million have died. These numbers are changing rapidly. But, when we talk about India, the situation is equally grim. As of date, nearly a 22 million have been infected due to this virus. Almost 18 million have recovered, and 0.23 million have died. The danger is not yet over. India and other nations worldwide are grappling with the second wave of the COVID-19 virus, affecting society with much vengeance. This is believed to be a B.1.617 viral variant known to have more than two mutations. Its fast spread has created havoc in the entire country.
The number of COVID-19infected cases has increased manifold. The present health infrastructure is not in a position to cope up with the influx of patients. Moreover, media is also constantly highlighting the shortage of beds, oxygen, ventilators, and medicines, including vaccine and other day-to-day problems the general public faces. Parallelly, some media houses at the national and international level and a specific section of society have started selective criticism regarding the management of catastrophe caused by the second wave. This is unwarranted. The responsibility has to be owned collectively by all the stakeholders, including the general public. Suppose one goes by facts and the available reports, one finds that when in 2020 the cases started showing a downward trend and the nation began to unlock in a phased manner, the Central Government adopted a decentralization strategy to contain the virus. The states were asked and equipped to handle the COVID-19 pandemic as per the situation and local environment. Moreover, experts predicted the second wave well in advance. Initially, the second wave was confined to Punjab, Maharashtra and Kerala. Timely action could have contained the virus from spreading. Even the general public is equally responsible for the surge in COVID-19cases. The sizeable number of local populations flouted the COVID-19 related guidelines: Wearing masks, maintaining a social distance (6 feet), avoiding crowded places, and frequent washing and sanitizing hands were hardly adhered to. Ironically and very sadly, the improper wearing of mask below their nostrils covering only the chin, have proven detrimental and these factors are largely responsible in contributing to the spread of this deadly virus. Besides, larger participation in religious festivals and not following COVID-19 protocols during election meetings may have also contributed to the second wave’s surge. So there has been laxity at all quarters from all corners.
But unfortunately, neither media nor those involved in selective criticism, question them and others at the helm of affairs in different states. Subsequently on sensing this unmanageable alarming situation arising out of this deadly strain of new variant of virus, the Central Government swung into action and initiated a multi-prong approach on war footing to contain this virus and provide medical support to the masses. The Government has roped in all resources and agencies under its command to contain this deadly second wave. This includes revamping health care infrastructure for covid-19 patients, making provision for extra beds, oxygen, ventilators, medicines and vaccines and other health care systems. Utilization of multiple agencies such as armed forces, paramilitary forces for logistics purpose. Involvement of DRDO for making fully furnished COVID hospital, installation of Oxygen plants, development of an anti-COVID drug, railways for transportation of oxygen and various other systems. Besides, the Indian mission was also tasked to get in touch with foreign governments for support. As a result of these efforts, support from nations across the globe has started pouring in. Hence with joint efforts of all stakeholders, including the general public, this great and courageous nation will be able to contain this second wave, and the country will emerge victorious. But at the same time, we have not to lower our guards and continue to build capacity to the extent that we can counter the third wave of this deadly virus and future bio warfare threats caused by weapons of mass destruction. These threats are quite predominant, especially when China has signed a three years secret deal with Pakistan’s military for enhancing Pakistan’s bio warfare capabilities.
The author may say that no country can afford to wage a full-scale war against its adversary in the present era. It may resort to a new dimensional approach through bio warfare to destroy the society, economic power and industrial base of competing nations. The spread of the SARS-Cov-2 corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic across the world is a glaring example of this. There is no way to tell precisely the economic damage from the global COVID-19 corona virus pandemic. But because of frequent lock downs, this pandemic has undoubtedly caused the largest global recession in history. Even the top economies of the world have faced the dent of this. Considering these facts, one can say that the world has been pushed into invincible war through the SARS-Cov-2 corona virus pandemic (COVID-19) either intentionally or unintentionally. This bio war is to infect the maximum human population and crumble the industrial infrastructure of top economies of the world. This is a war against humanity. So it has to be fought jointly by each section of society. Therefore, it is high time that all sections of society should join hands together to eradicate this evil rather than criticizing each other for selfish ends.
(The author is former Director General & Special Secretary DRDO, MoD GoI)
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