In today’s age and time, where change has taken a new dimension, progress is evident almost everywhere. The onset of computerization created a new norm for manufacturing, and so did automation in virtually every other field. The wings to help this colossal resource go farther, much farther, in the shape of the Internet.
In the early stage of coming into the public domain, the Internet invited the wrath of parents as an evil resource for criminals that preyed on innocent children. Over the years, we have accepted its power of ‘social’ strength, which keeps us connected to the outside world.
I am sure you must be wondering why I bring up all the above narrative when the issue at hand is ‘weakness,’ right? So, let’s get started with Newton’s 3rd law of motion.
To every action in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Considering the viability of this statement, we can better see where, and how we are also adding to our woes while making progress. Yes, the subject of such a see-saw effect is not always the exact and same sphere. There is every possibility of growth in one section of the society. In contrast, a different part gets left out and unravels the downward slide of an “equal and opposite reaction.”
Since I am neither a human resource expert nor a political analyst, I will reserve my observations to the very basic. My personal experience through various stages has shown me both sides of the coin at close quarters. As such, I can say with absolute certainty that we need to pay close attention to the growing weakness overlapping our creativity in a very pronounced fashion.
Would you disagree with me when I say consumers are the sole catalysts of any advancement in modern society? No industry worth its name would be able to survive, leave aside thrive unless there was a growing demand for its products or services. From mining to shipping, from science to technology, from food to fashion, and from birth to death, yes ‘death’ is a formidable industry, as big as birth.
Just imagine the scare created by the current situation where COVID-19 has brought us face-to-face with the grim situation of untimely death, with thousands around us succumbing to this unwelcome tragedy. Wait a minute, why am I getting distracted, or am I?
What is it that leaves us so vulnerable if not our weakness in identifying the onset of this evil (remember the dictum: ‘Nip the evil in the bud?’) Many distinct factors contributed to the global pandemic.
- The first and foremost happens to be an utter lack of speed in making the rest of the world aware of the virus.
- Time wasted in local containment, where caution took a back seat, comes out to be another forceful issue we cannot overlook.
- The unpardonable weakness of those afflicted in gathering the courage to stop a further conflagration
- The irresponsible attitude of the Chinese authorities in dealing with the fast-developing situation within their borders
- Lack of promptness on the part of the W.H.O. to call it a pandemic, despite massive impact due to unrestricted movement of people across the world,
These are some of the factors we shall be looking into; once there is a sign of relief. We saw a lapse of 3 months from the first case to global awareness, and another couple of weeks for authorities in various countries across the world to promulgate necessary preventive measures to contain this menace.
Nobel Laureate Hemann Karl Hesse gave a glimpse into his vast resource of wisdom with the following words:
Every age, every culture, every custom, and tradition have their own character, its own weakness, and its own strength, its beauties, and cruelties; it accepts certain sufferings as matters of course, puts up patiently with certain evils. Human life is reduced to real suffering, to hell, only when two ages, two cultures, and religions overlap.
The growing menace currently underway found its accomplice in the vast gap in cultures, customs, and traditions across the world. The same proved disastrous to the entire Universe outside of the meat market in Wuhan, China. Filthy trade in live, wild animals, under absolutely pathetic, unhygienic conditions may be an accepted norm in that society, their culture, civility (or lack thereof,) or traditions. Yet, it has brought humanity as we know it on the brink of total disaster if anything.
‘Calling a spade, a spade’ has always brought trouble on the whistle-blower. However, the world needs to know why China reprimanded Dr. Li Wenliang, the very first doctor for “spreading rumours” while making his colleagues aware of Coronavirus.
If only the authorities had been more diligent and taken necessary mitigating action at that initial stage, the situation would have been well under control. The innocent deaths resulting from this weakness of the Chinese authorities in taking correct remedial action encompassing such a large-scale fallout CAN NEVER BE CONDONED, no matter what.
Was their quest for world dominance, powered by their economic clout as the world’s manufacturing hub the factor that motivated them to keep quiet?
What overpowered their obligation to share the correct information with the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) at the very initial stage itself.
Did their self-serving logic overpower the need of the hour, making social responsibility a helpless victim to their political greed?
I am sure the intelligent readers would agree with the following guiding words from an adage. “One of the weaknesses of our age is our apparent inability to distinguish our needs from our greed.”
Thank You!
My dear friend Bharat, for sure my age psyched me out (age play tricks, I admit) but you know, with all of the respect that I owe you, for the life of me, I just don’t see how you did come up with this witch hunt at a moment like this. I may be an old wreck but my common sense tells me that we have to look for solutions at this time, not for someone to blame, all the more so if we have an argument not supported by facts established by a serious international investigation (if ever there was one).
You know my friend, do you realize how many times I would have liked to harshly criticize American leadership in the last few years? Do you know why I didn’t? At least not in the way I wanted … because let’s face it … should we judge the compliance and personal behavior of the guy living in Pennsylvania avenue on the basis of the tons of words we’re used to write (me and you included) about TRUE LEADERSHIP … oh well … the picture that emerges is pathetic and catastrophic. It is the exact opposite of what many … many are used to say here (in many cases, only in words, in my view). And we’re not done yet, this morning, the last of the series “the blame always lies with the others” is … “World Health Organization will get no more money” … it is pro-Chinese … OMG … and we want to talk about the Chinese leader my friend? We all would have needed a real American Leadership in the last few years in the world, not a Chinese one. Unfortunately we didn’t have any.
Furthermore, I didn’t say anything … because when you harshly and publicly judge someone who’s in charge of a country that is not yours, the people of that country perceive it as something direct to them as a whole, not just to their leader. And if you do it with direct accusations and inflamatory speech … it may also spread … give rise to racial considerations and turn into something that may get out of hand. You may be right Bharat, but do we have unassailable evidence internationally recognized of what you are saying or it is just you coming to this conclusion, albeit in rationally way of thinking?
Bharat, the world economy risks to collapse because of COVID-19. The GDP will globally contract by 3% this year 2020 according to the International Monetary Fund. It’s the worst post-1930 recession. At the time of 2007 recession (Lehmann Brothers) the fall was -0,6% – You can imagine, COVID-19 is a serious threat to global financial stability. Weakness of the banks is increasing. It is a pretty scary scenario. You are an intelligent man and an outstanding professional, I don’t say this with a patronizing tone, that’s what I really think of you, I’ll tell you in all sincerity very clearly or I wouldn’t be wasting my time with useless replies. This is the time to show STRENGTH AND UNITY. Nobody has enlightened leaders and there’s trouble for all, not just for some and we need a collective victory. It is not the moment to find the culprit of this frightening mess (if there is one, which I frankly doubt, at least not as something done on purpose) – More than ever before, this is the time to bring out the best in people, not the worst. This is the time to develop a sense of belonging to one another and to this planet. If we don’t, it will be the end of all of us. I am super sure you realize it. Love, Massimo Scalzo.
PS: Bharat, please, I know Suzana very well and I know her soul is candid, believe me. She’s not used to produce ill-conceived comments. Suzana is sincere and says what she thinks. Not to mention the fact that she has always had you in great esteem. This time is very difficult for all, me first, and with me you and another 7 billions people. WE MUST WIN MY FRIEND. WE MUST DEFEAT THIS THREAT TO MANKIND.
Dear Massimo, please rest assured there’s no love lost on my side, neither for you nor for Dear Suzana. We all have our opinions, although we may not always seem to be correct. In the above article, I have posted four questions that you can answer and decide if they point towards racism. I believe it is my second article, where she found most of the ‘objectionable’ stuff.
To straighten the record for your knowledge, Dear Massimo, it hurt, even more, when correct, factual statements related to the erstwhile American leadership (The year 1992) were wrongly perceived by Suzana as directed at the Chinese (leader.) What I have tried to reiterate is an urgent and dire need to look at the possibility of an intentional ‘germ war’ unleashed by the power-hungry dictator.
I have no idea whether you have read the second article, or not. The title is “COVID-19, a Weapon of Mass Destruction.” In there, I have raised the possibility of Xi Jinping’s intent, the same way the specifically named ‘misleaders’ proclaimed Saddam Hussein was amassing biological weapons. I say this, based on numerous other power-grab tactics of the same guy.
Do you have any idea about Mao Tse Tung, and Chau en Lai, the two communist leaders of China, and how they mistreated the public? They are long gone, but their legacy remains. Starting with the Indo-China War in the year 1962, they have been relentlessly making unwarranted incursions into the Indian territory. Killing the innocent villagers in the border areas has become their pastime.
Only yesterday, there was a news item about Chinese dams stopping the free flow of water to its neighboring countries, leading them to drought.
To save both of us the need to argue over history at this critical juncture, I would humbly request you to let us rest this matter right here since I do not think this is the right forum for us to go into an accusing game.
Furthermore, please allow me to mention that my community and I NEVER make any noise about the numerous ways we help the needy wherever and whenever there is a need. So to imagine my writing is racist, please do reconsider the label that is not just accusatory, but also profoundly hurtful. I am sure you have enough human spirit (not talking of leadership here.)
We are the only community in the entire world where over half a million people from every ethnicity come together to peacefully celebrate Baisakhi, our New Year, in Vancouver, Canada, every year. Not only that, everybody is offered plenty of FREE FOOD, for consumption as well as take-out. So, I know a little bit about community spirit. And mind you, there is only a token Police presence, and that too, just to guide the traffic. There has never been any untoward incident in the entire history of this congregation. Unfortunately, we could not celebrate this past Sunday, but the ‘FREE FOOD FOR ALL’ drive is well underway, with the active support of volunteers of every caste and creed.
‘United we stand, divided we fall!’
Thanks, Dear Massimo, with Warm Regards, and A Prayer for All
Bharat, my intention wasn’t to hurt you and if I did I apologize. As I have said before, I have always held you in high regard and that hasn’t changed. I admit that I didn’t know of the history you wrote of in your reply to Massimo. My concern was simply how the article came across and what impact it could have on the Asian community as a whole and the WHO especially in this moment. As you have said “United we stand, divided we fall.”
Hi Suzana, let me make something very clear to you at the outset: There is NO thank you and NO sorry in friendship, ever! In my mother-tongue, there is a piece of sage advice to the effect that when someone comes back after being lost in the woods an entire day, you cannot say he lost his way. So long as we find our way back and realize an oversight (please take note, I am not using ‘mistake’ here, because it wasn’t) on either side, everything becomes normal. So, where is the need for apologies?
To help both of you understand my views better, I have taken the liberty to forward some links to Dear Massimo. Both of you may feel free to browse through when there is a bit of free time.
In the meantime, please stay indoors, do whatever you want, BUT stay positive.
Thanks, With Warm Regards, and a Prayer for All!
Bharat thank you for your reply. What you said sheds new light on many things and above all it gave me a new light on you. I realize you have your reasons to write what you wrote. In your reply now I see the face of suffering humanity which is something that affects us all equally. I realize your reasons Bharat. I realize that your reasons go well beyond political stands. I thereby close the subject.
One of the tragedies of my life (from the intellectual point of view) is the fact that I very soon realized in my life that no man (me included), no woman, no nation is without (tragic) mistake. There is only one destiny, a common destiny within each of us.
There’s a song … the piece is dedicated to an musician who died relatively early. The lyrics of the song is in fact a first-person speech addressed (from the afterlife) to a musician friend, by a person who died prematurely. They were both musicians. It is about the deep meaning of life and symbolizes friendship and intimate affections. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking poetry. There’s a line … it is a metaphor for life … the goes like this: “Listen always to REAL music and always try to UNDERSTAND” … (“authentic things and “human understanding”) … I always try to, Bharat … despite my shortcomings, but I have to admit … despite all my understanding, I have a congenital defect (if I can put it that way, I know … it’s a funny expression): I don’t like coward scoundrels who manipulate others or even crowds through emotional gimmicks, whether they are men, women, Italians, Chinese, Americans or any other earthly race. From the lowest of the low of society up to billionaires, kings and dictators, of the past or present. It’s stronger than me. As strange as it sounds, even certain criminals have a sort of inner code, though distorted. All the more reasons the leaders of the world should have it.
I greatly appreciate your explanation and I am grateful. Thank you my dear Bharat for your words about Suzana. I think I have to say no more. Warm Regards and yes … A prayer for All!
Dear Massimo, I am truly indebted to you for jumping in, with a balanced mind, focused on the analytical redressal of the fast-deteriorating situation here. As it turns out, all of us were right in standing our ground (or was I?)
Now that we have all come to understand and respect each others’ viewpoint, let me share with you some of the sources behind the related information. Please note, some of this information, per the forwarded links, is after-the-fact. But, for all practical purposes, I had already gleaned the same from different avenues earlier.
BTW, I usually read anywhere from thirty to forty newspapers from different countries each day. This practice has helped me through many a difficult situation. Without further ado, here we go:
1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/14/chinese-dams-held-back-large-amounts-water-drought-downstream/
2. https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-china-pandemic-warning-delay-20200415.html
3. https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/chinas-xi-should-not-be-rewarded/
4. https://zeenews.india.com/world/china-restricts-publication-of-research-papers-on-coronavirus-covid-19-origin-2276363.html
5. https://www.news.com.au/world/who-is-lamely-following-chinas-line-on-wet-markets/video/066d48707d2a54f6704480e927a54638
6. https://www.theepochtimes.com/beijings-reach-how-chinese-regime-is-impacting-the-lives-of-canadians_3313890.html
7. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/india-china-war-of-1962-839077-2016-11-21
8. https://www.rediff.com/news/chtime.htm
As you will notice, the majority of the above links will lead you to some of the most respected resources in the world of information-sharing.
Thanks once again, my dear,
Warm Regards, with a Prayer for All!
Bharat, I am only now seeing your article for the first time. I am embarrassed to admit I could grasp not grasp your message but I will say you write in a manner that highlights your level of literacy. As it appears you are railing against people like WHO and The Chinese government I am in FULL agreement with you. Points 1-5 in your article were particularly effective not to mention they were all truth-filled. Even in those times when I did not agree with something you wrote my (This is NOT one of those times) fondness for you and the high esteem I hold you in never wavered. You have long since shown the man you are not to mention the respect you have earned. Take care. be safe, and stay well.
Dear Joel Sir, in the above post, I have made an effort to show the other side of the coin that we know as COVID-19. Unfortunately, this side is even more dangerous than the one we bear with undescribable agony. If we just keep quiet, in our efforts to help our brethren, there is every possibility the leak that has already sprung in this ‘ship’ of a beautiful Global Village will eventually bring us all down. WE MUST FIND THE LEAK & PLUG IT before it gets too late. As such, someone somewhere MUST wake up and make the rest aware of the perpetrator, rather than letting him loose to continue with his evil designs unchecked.
Thank You!
Bharat, while I agree that more could have been done to alert other countries, I simply cannot agree with putting all the blame on China or scrutinizing the way they choose to live. Many people in many countries have living conditions many of us couldn’t even dream of. But sadly even today this is still occurring. All I am certain of is that one of the richest countries in the world is a mockery for their public healthcare system. Exposed for the pure capitalist f**ked up society it is. I think many should look in their own backyard. Sorry Bharat but that’s what I think.
Dear Suzana, I appreciate your viewpoint, and am in complete agreement with you so far as the lapses in the U.S. leadership are concerned. Yes, you are also absolutely right about the unhygienic conditions in so many countries around the world. However, I would like to invite your attention to certain facts that you might have unintentionally missed:
1. The virus started in one city in China, but surprisingly, failed to spread to 31 other thickly populated ones within the country. Take for example Shanghai, and Beijing. Why we don’t hear about it in the news? B.T.W. they have multiple flights from Wuhan, across the country, every day. Please do not forget, their concentration of population is seven times that of the U.S.
2. The wild animal market being blamed for the start of the virus has been there for many, many years. Their practices have not seen any sudden change either. So, how come the same traditions suddenly turned into a deadly virus, without any catalyst?
3. From the 17th November, until the 12th of March, there was a lapse of almost three months. The W.H.O. kept sitting on the information for over two months. In the meantime, over 1,000 people perished in Europe. How do you still feel the two entities are not responsible for any negligence, intentional or otherwise?
4. Since February 1992, the U.S. has been talking about Germ Warfare, and suspected of Saddam Hussein of launching it. They finished him off, but found nothing. What makes you think China could not have worked on it during this past quater-century?
5. China supported the U.N. Chief in his election bid, Naturally, he would sing their songs. What more evidence do you need to see the connection?
All said and done, thousands of innocent people lost their lives, which is akin to mass murder. Alas, there is no perpetrator worth its name?
Thank You!
P.S. I shall always continue to hold you in high esteem. As such, please DO NOT take this response as a personal affront. We are free to voice our opinions, and I take yours as a well-informed one as well.
Bharat, rather than laying blame on any one country or person I believe our GLOBAL focus needs to be directed to the crisis itself, building a more inclusive and sustainable economy for all.
There are risks to creating division, which in my opinion is more dangerous than the virus itself.
We need countries to share useful data to understand and contain this virus by developing treatments and vaccines, that is what will save lives.
As we are seeing this virus makes no distinction between people or borders and we would be wise to do the same right now so we can overcome it.
P.S. I hold you in high regard as well and realize how this situation can be overwhelming but we need to work together to resolve it. Thank you Bharat
Thanks a lot, Dear Suzana, for this outstanding message highlighting solidarity, as well as compassion as the situation demands it from all of us, in unison. I do not pretend to digress with you on this score at all. However, I also see the other side of the coin, and that presents an even more uncertain future that is ready to befall us in the event we overlook the perpetrator.
Would you agree with me, Dear Suzana, that World-Dominance has been the aim of many ’empires’ through history? Then, what, in your opinion, prevents Xi Jinping, the modern-day dictator, flush with trillions of dollars at his disposal, from embarking on this evil path. If not, why did he become President for life, usurping the rights of other capable leaders within the country?
As I have already outlined, this virus is NOT ‘An Act of God,’ the term all insurance companies use to circumvent their responsibility to pay the insured for their sufferings. It is very much human-made, and I am sure my first two points are sufficient proof.
The reason I gathered the courage to write this article springs from my firm conviction that over six-billion of us have fallen prey to the evil designs of a self-proclaimed dictator. Not only that, but we are also looking to find comfort in JUST STAYING UNITED, instead of looking for ‘the leak in our ship’ that threatens to drown us all. Isn’t it time for us to demand our ‘Chosen Leaders’ to gather the courage and call this bluff once and for all? If not, let us prepare for more frequent repetition of such attacks in the not too distant a future.
I will let you be the judge, and the jury, after honorably resting my case, my Dear Friend!
P.S. I m not shirking away from my responsibility as a Global Citizen.
Bharat,
I have to be perfectly honest but I was shocked to read the last 2 articles you have written.
I don’t believe that they are appropriate for LinkedIn or Bizcatalyst for that matter because they promote racism against the Chinese people. Your accusations aren’t factual and in my opinion they promote hate.
I realize my comments directed towards the health care system in the USA weren’t any better, I reacted and I acknowledge that mistake.
Promoting violence and hatred towards the WHO or the Chinese leader, especially in this historic moment doesn’t bring out the best in people but the worst.
And i stand by what I said previously and that is that we all need to work together to get through these difficult times without offending anyone and without any witch hunt that can spark violence in our already wounded world.
With all due respect to the highly intelligent and charming person I have come to know as my friend Suzana it hurts to read a misdirected statement that accuses me of writing things that are not “factual.” For the last time, I want to reiterate none of my comments are directed towards the Chinese people as a whole, but only at the Self-declared Dictator. I have taken pains to submit all the facts that support my article. If you choose to overlook them and blame me for promoting racism, good luck to you, and all your knowledge about racism, what it is, and how it manifests societies.
I have no idea if you ever heard or read this oft-repeated quote: ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ (George Santayana-1905.) Even Winston Churchill used it, but with a small twist, in the House of Commons. He said: ‘Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.’
If this article were anywhere near the labels you have given it, other readers would not be commending my effort. Not only that, but Mr. Pittoco also would not publish it at any cost. Not only that, but he would also have banned me from his groups by now, and the same would be the treatment awaiting me at LinkedIn.
On that note, I have decided to reevaluate my friendship, reserve the right to respond to your ill-conceived, unenlightened statements, and Wish You God-Speed in all your pursuits.
Good Bye!
Bharat, I’m not here to argue, all I know and what I see is many people of Asian descent are being attacked or treated badly simply because this virus originated in China. So an attack on their leader indirectly becomes an attack on people of Asian descent and I think that is wrong.
George Orwell once wrote “The futher a society drifts from the truth, the more they will hate those who speak it.”
As for LinkedIn, I left a long time ago when I saw that they don’t practice what they preach. Its all a ‘s game and the almighty $.
Excellent piece, Bharat. Thanks for your thoughts.
Dear Ken Sir, I am much heartened to see your strong support here. It has always been my honest intent to put to paper thoughts and ideas with a wider appeal.
Thanks a Million, with Warm Regards and a Prayer
You are welcome, Ken Sir!
Oh Bharat…so many of these ideas I have expressed in my own lines…
Greed gets in the way..thats it!
“One of the weaknesses of our age is our apparent inability to distinguish our needs from our greed.”
What we want and what we beed somehow gets manipulated by the want of power…the ultimate of greeds.
Thank you for this insightful and awakening article! 🙏
Those of us who see, need to share.
Those who don’t, need to be aware
To use the same manipulation
Seems to be the only option?
Plant the words inside the mind
Helping them. like this is kind
Just like the greedy and the selfish
We can try and allow this?
Just a few words… lol
People sometimes need help thinking
When they think they thought it all by themselves..well a breakthrough perhaps?
Cheers my friend
Paula
Thanks a Million, Dear Paula; as always, you continue to be an immense source of inspiration to me.
Warm Regards, With a Prayer!
Bharat, this is a brilliant essay written by a wise and brilliant man.
Thank you, Dear Joel Sir!
Bharat, Powerful, strong Ink indeed.
Thank you, Brother! Your continued inspiration means the world to me.
Bharat – Courageous, well thought out, and an important reminder for all that DOing the right thing Everytime is far more important than profits and power. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot, Dear Len Sir, for endorsing my viewpoint! Your support and guidance are the pillars that I dare stand on.