Bhubaneswar: At a time when the country is breaking new records for Covid-19 infections and a pall of gloom descending on the healthcare scenario, there are some positive vibes that are breathing fresh energy into the situation and demonstrating that there is a silver lining in the dark clouds. One such instance that infuses a ray of hope during these dark days is the statesmanship shown by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. His humanitarian efforts to help out the states that are gasping for Oxygen supplies amidst the Covid-19 crisis have become an example for the country. Chanakya’s dictom Rajadware Smasane Cha Ja Tistati Sa Bandhaba (One who stands by your side in the Court or in the Graveyard is your true friend) stands vindicated by the actions of Naveen.
In the last few days, India witnessed the highest number of Covid-19 infections in the world and so also the number of patients in hospitals. The major states of the country including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana are witnessing an unprecedented situation in healthcare facilities. The biggest challenge that has come out for the administration in these states is providing vital Oxygen supplies to the hospitals. With stressed Oxygen supplies, the most impacted states are today in a frenzy and the situation has become warlike. Even there are shameful instances seen in many places where states created hurdles for free movement of the valuable Medical Oxygen from one State to another.
At this critical juncture, Odisha has been a beacon of light for others both in terms of ample availability of Medical Oxygen production facilities and less requirement due to the under control situation. Rising to the occasion, leaving behind regionalism for the mankind, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has assured his counterparts a helping hand in the fight against the pandemic like a true statesman.
On Thursday, Naveen had a conversation with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and assured him all his help in facilitating Oxygen supplies to the state from Odisha. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also called up Naveen and thanked for all the steps taken to supply Oxygen to the western state.
The day also saw Naveen speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation and promised his cooperation in ramping up oxygen production in Odisha to help improve the Oxygen supplies to other states. “It is a war like situation and Odisha will extend all cooperation in the fight against Covid-19 at the national level including ramping up oxygen production to assist other states in this emergency situation,” Patnaik said to Prime Minister Modi.
Earlier, Naveen had instructed the state police department to take steps to ensure hassle free movement of Oxygen tankers and create a green corridor for the purpose. Within 24 hours of the developments, four Oxygen tankers carrying more than 80 tons of Medical Oxygen were provided police escort. While two tankers moved out from Angul, two from Jajpur have left for other states.
The leadership of Naveen has once again shown that at times of crisis we should shun the regional differences and be united as One. The priority of every leader should be nation first. This is not the first time when Naveen has lent a helping hand to other states. During Amphan, when the strongest Cyclone hit neighboring West Bengal, Naveen sent a huge team of ODRAF and Fire Personnel who engaged themselves for relief and rescue operations. During the flash floods in Kerala and Hud Hud in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha sent the much needed human resources with a helping hand. Like a responsible national leader, Naveen has always come forward during times of need and Democratic Dharma. This is a true example of a friend in need is a friend in deed.
The statesmanship shown by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seems to be inherited from his father and former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik, who also had innumerable records of coming to the rescue at the national level when the need occurred. His efforts in rescuing Indonesian PM and Vice President in 1948 are well known. Biju Patnaik also helped the Government of India sending the first troops to Jammu and Kashmir to fight the invading Pakistanis. These are some of the examples that indicate that Biju’s legacy lingers on.