It seems as though the world has become a stage, scripted and directed by the novel coronavirus, and we humans have assumed the role of actors, or in fact puppets of a pandemic that has left devastating and irreversible impacts on not just individuals but also the society we live in. Behind all this orchestrated action and drama, a few unseen personalities – investors, technicians, stuntmen, and spot-boys – stay hidden, whilst pulling up their socks’ every single day to keep the show running.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light our worst nightmares encompassing stress, anxiety, and vulnerabilities around unfathomable health conditions. Let alone the trauma caused by the biggest crash of the world’s economy. But despite the fall of our collective strength against one unknown virus, the world has seen the rise of a league of super-intelligent, and wilfully strong men and women who have been striving day in and out to win the battle against the foreign invader.
Recently, the term healthcare heroes have become synonymous with those in the medical profession. However, we cannot remain long oblivious to the fact that warriors walk among us too, taking care beyond the sense of the word, by putting their own lives through a lot of pressure to serve humanity. One must have heard about Mahita Nagaraj, who started a firm called Caremongers India, where she inspired a group of volunteers to provide medicines and groceries to senior citizens, thereby easing their travel routines and offering them a sense of security during the chaos.
Our country will never forget the dedication and determination of Minal Dakhave Bhonsle, who created India’s first coronavirus testing kit, or Captain Swati Rawal, the commander of Air India 777, who flew to the rescue of Indians stranded in Rome. Neither would India de-sensationalize the selfless contributions of Dalit Ram Patil, the poor farmer from Nashik who donated the wheat from his mere harvests to those in need nor would words be enough for Dr. Nivedita Gupta, under whose leadership over 130 laboratories in the government sector and 52 laboratories in the private were roped in for diagnosis of COVID-19.
Even as borders were sealed, shutters went down, lives got interrupted, roads turned empty and dangers of contracting the virus lurked around every nook and corner, healthcare warriors sheathed in protection suits walked the grounds, staying calm and composed and focussed on the care to be administered to those in need. Not just doctors and nurses, but lesser-known and media-shy police officials, paramilitary, ambulance drivers, caregivers, phlebotomists, social workers, and ordinary men and women all emerged on the frontlines – dealing with those at the verge of their breathless ends, the severely affected and those seeking immediate medical care and emotional support.
We may have given the novel virus a name, but let’s not allow the names of those unsung heroes to evade our minds, who have shown us the real meaning of unconditional care, who have endangered their own lives and families in the name of duty, and who have fought fear and uncertainty with their knowledge, wisdom, and grit.
Neuberg Diagnostics salutes the relentless spirit of the heroes and warriors who have bravely walked the frontlines to save all of humanity from the alarming dangers of the pandemic.