In light of the latest Covid-19 wave that has rocked India this week, NRIs and Indians abroad have expressed their desire to help. Some have shared details of donation drives on Twitter, while those based in the United States have called on the Joe Biden administration to immediately send its surplus stock of AstraZeneca vaccine to India.
In other words, Instagram and Twitter have become the primary platforms for Indians abroad to stay informed on the Covid-19 situation in India, resulting in an increased sense of helplessness within the community. Visuals of desperate people outside hospitals, mass graves, cremation sites, and endless tweets asking for leads on oxygen cylinders, plasma donors, or Covid beds are only exacerbating this despair. Google Docs and other online toolkits have been created, and people are relying on the all-powerful tool of resharing, retweeting or forwarding the cries for help.
And then, there are others who want the US to lift its export embargo on raw materials needed to mass-produce vaccines. Given the importance of Indian origin communities as political groups in countries like the US, how this Indian-American mission unfolds will be interesting to watch.
Also read: Oxygen crisis is about logistics. Bring in the Army to help in Delhi
Yeh mera India
It goes without saying that social media appeals by Indian-Americans in the face of challenges in the subcontinent is highly commendable. They speak to the importance of hyphenated identities and how they can be wielded for good in serious situations like this global pandemic.
Providence-based physician Ashish K. Jha, for instance, made a simple call for help to the US government with regards to the hoarding of vaccines. “We are sitting on 35-40 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine Americans will never use. Can we please give or lend them to India? Like may be now? It’ll help. A lot,” Jha said.
India is in the throes of a horrendous COVID surge
Horrendous
They are struggling to get more people vaccinated
We are sitting on 35-40 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine Americans will never use
Can we please give or lend them to India? Like may be now?
It'll help. A lot
— Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH (@ashishkjha) April 22, 2021
Queens-based journalist S. Mitra Kalita focussed on the dichotomy and mental anguish facing Indian-Americans, given the vast differences between the Covid-19 situations in the US and India. “America: vaccines available for all, extra doses here there everywhere, selfies of joy and reunions … AND India: friends and family begging for beds and oxygen and prayers, hoping they live to dose 1 or 2,” she wrote on Twitter.
To be desi right now is to have feeds teetering between America: vaccines available for all, extra doses here there everywhere, selfies of joy and reunions … AND
India: friends and family begging for beds and oxygen and prayers, hoping they live to dose 1 or 2.— S. Mitra Kalita (@mitrakalita) April 22, 2021
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s chief economist Gita Gopinath offered a more general statement expressing her thoughts on India’s Covid crisis — “Deeply disturbed by the exploding health crisis in India. So many of my family, friends and colleagues grappling with this second wave.”
Deeply disturbed by the exploding health crisis in India. So many of my family, friends and colleagues grappling with this second wave. Mass gatherings are toxic. Social distance, wear masks, ramp up medical supplies and vaccinations on a war footing. Please stay safe.
— Gita Gopinath (@GitaGopinath) April 23, 2021
Some have even expressed their disappointment with US Vice President Kamala Harris’ silence, whose Indian-origin credentials had been greatly celebrated during her campaign.
Today my daughter was watching TV and saw a picture of Vice President Harris on a story about the US refusing to lift bans on exports of vaccine ingredients and she said “Is that mommy? It looks like mommy!”
It matters!
❤️
— Sarayu Pani (@sarayupani) April 24, 2021
How they can help
Beyond building awareness on social media and providing donations from overseas to local NGOs and mutual aid organisations, there are fairly limited options available to the Indians abroad to provide tangible help. Given this limitation, coupled with feelings of helplessness and guilt, lawyer Supriya Bhakt told Quartz about the parallels she sees between the current crisis and the devastating March 2020 outbreak of Covid-19 in Bergamo, Italy.
However, it should have not even been the responsibility of Indians abroad to rescue their country of origin in the first place, because this is a public health crisis involving major state institutions. What it does mean, though, is that the Indian-origin community and other Americans should continue pointing out how the Biden-Harris government has erred in withholding crucial resources from India and other poorer countries facing vaccine shortages.
On 16 April, Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawala tweeted at US President Joe Biden, requesting him to “lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the U.S. so that vaccine production can ramp up.” In response a week later, State Department spokesperson Ned Price stressed the need for fully vaccinating Americans first.
While this response is expected — and India could have benefitted from adopting a similar strategy instead of ramping up vaccine diplomacy earlier this year — it showcases broader issues with US foreign policy.
As a result, any criticism or attempt by American citizens to influence such policies in relation to India for the better, is the need of the hour.
Such criticism is certainly far more helpful than tweets blaming Biden voters for the current exports embargo, or Covid deniers blaming politically outspoken NRIs, like New York City-based professor Gaurav Sabnis, for India’s Covid crisis.
Indians in US who voted for Biden & Kamala must be enjoying to see their families suffer in India due to Biden's export ban on raw materials for Covishield vaccine & other essential medicines.
I am already missing Donald Trump
— AParajit Bharat 😌 (@AparBharat) April 23, 2021
Tenured BHU prof QTed me saying NRIs are responsible for lives lost in India by talking about the benefits of wearing masks and social distancing. I can't even wrap my head around that level of bhakti. Yeah, I'm the bad guy sitting in NYC sharing our NYC covid lessons. 🙄
— Gaurav Sabnis 🇮🇳🇺🇸 (@gauravsabnis) April 17, 2021
Also read: Why Biden needs to come to India’s aid now to battle the Covid-19 surge
Will they succeed?
The widespread calls for mutual aid and social media appeals indicate how many people have completely given up on their administrations and governments to save them from the Covid crisis. It is Indians for Indians now — no matter where you live, you might have someone here.
Watching the consequences of vaccine inequality play out among friends: In the U.K. almost everyone I know has had 1 jab. In the US they have had 2. In France they get to choose their vaccine. In India it’s down to timing. South Africa? Friends have no idea if never mind when.
— Sonia Faleiro (@soniafaleiro) April 18, 2021
Dear American Media, I understand that poverty porn and pandemic porn are very exciting and good for ratings. But there are a lot of issues to cover in re the horror in India, especially topics that can save lives. 1/n
— Shruti Rajagopalan (@srajagopalan) April 23, 2021
Indians across the globe are perhaps on the brink of a mental collapse at this point. We are stuck around the world and we can’t do anything for our loved ones except praying and wishing well. Anxiety. Sadness. Rage. Guilt. The thought that an inept government brought this on …
— Aruni Kashyap (@AruniKashyap) April 22, 2021
And then, some even have conspiracy theories that claim if Donald Trump was still the president, it would be different. After all, we sent him Hydroxychloroquine tablets last year, following his threat of retaliation, and said ‘Ab ki Baar Trump Sarkar’ in 2019. But Biden is merely following Trump’s ‘America First’ policy, and is committed to vaccinating everybody by June-end. But Indian-origin lobbying can be formidable. If they can play a role in the nuclear deal, they can also swing it for India on the vaccines.
Views are personal.
their loyalty should be to US not India , after all they renounced their Indian Citizenship to become American Citizen.
Well done Indian American. I am in Canada and how can I help ?
You are the guys who overwhelmingly voted for Biden. Within a month of his arrival at the Whitehouse he is showing his anti Indian attitude. How soon can you guys withdraw your support and switch sides. Republicans will welcome that.
Shouldn’t we be blaming the *aatmanirbhar bharat*? What about the oxygen? What about hospitals? Even now, leaders are playing politics, A lot of BJP led states are forcefully suppressing and arresting anyone who mentions a shortage of anything. Even the states within the country are stopping the supply of oxygen to each other? Cmon, it wasn’t any other countries’ duty to look after India’s citizens. That’s why we don’t need a religion led political leader, or someone who pleases others first, we need a responsible and well educated leader.
It was mistake of our PM who supported Trump in America, why he interfered in USA politics, even our PM would have followed Biden, if he had supported other party instead of our PM, having said that USA should help India and other countries in this time of crisis
Good for ya Guys..when you supported Biden, don’t you forsee something like this? Where’s Kamala with her indian roots? Let her granny chide her,Fools!
Best way to convince Biden send some Andhbhakta to white house and Chant Modi Modi Modi, , In US elections our immature PM did big mistakes that show favor in Trump , now entire nations is suffering.
It is very difficult days, India is faced, facing.India wants ony vaccine’s raw material , not as for gift or donation, we will buy it. It not not a act like a true friend.
Done and done! USA has agreed to allow import.
so good work !
You may blame Biden, Kamala shower, bu the fact is Modi Government failed big-time. Man ki baat, Tika Utsav, Tali Thali were not hacker by concrete plan.
PM Care became a siphon
Khali stand terrorist spotted.
That idiot with the handle “Aparajit Bharath” who claims he is already missing Trump seems to forget that the ban on export of vaccine raw materials was instituted by Trump and not Biden. Trump would never have removed such a ban, being the white racist closet KKK supporter that he is; Biden would probably be more amenable to exporting the vaccine raw materials.
In any case American NRIs would do well to pressurising the Modi government to do its duty. After all quite a bit of the “Patel Paisa” is what got pogromwala Modi elected right ?
They are Americans of Indian descent. They are not non-resident Indians. Their first loyalty should be to USA.
They can be well wishers of India. So they are doing good job of lobbying for India for right cause. Modi has done good job of helping them realize their potential and so they are not ashamed of being Hindu Americans. The assorted secus along with minority activists from India have been trying to make them feel ashamed of their origin, by talking nonsense of minority persecution in India. They now realize that Hindu record of treating minorities in much better than of others in India’s neighborhood.
They are not in business of destroying Hindu India to create room for Nehru’s nonsense of Idea of India. it is too bad so sad for for fallen Hindu like Kili Jolsiyar
2 min silence for those who think Trump, whose entire campaign has been “America first” would have done anything different.
India ko sirf Russia or china ke sath mil kar ake naya itihas banana chahiye jo abhi madad ke liye age aye hai. Musibat me dusre shahar ke log waha se afsos hi karege lekin mohlle ke log help karne aa jayege thik wesa hi jaise hamari kisi padosi ke sath nahi banti.
True
Please don’t never ever come to India all those Indian Americans so called . Indians will fight back covid . Jai Hind . Don’t forget still ur relatives r in India
75% of NRIs still vote for Democrats in the US and Labor in the UK. Both are anti-India and pro-islamists. They deserved to be punished and discriminated for their blind voting record.
You are wrong on UK. As Indians are getting more prosperous, they are voting more and more for conservatives. Indians are now the second richest community after the Jews.
I don’t envisage USA can be a trustworthy ally. India provided all the assistance to USA when in need. Biden administration can not be relied. Indian voters voted, supported and funded Biden and Kamala Haris.
What about ap ki bar Trump? Political interference in a foreign democracy will have consequences. No one can help if you are dumb enough not to realize this upfront.
Indian voters did nothing of the kind. Why should they? You are confusing them for American voters of Indian origin.
If as a nation you could supply 90 countries with the vaccines (no nation has certified that they received any vaccines) how come you have no raw materials to produce one for the citizens. Hoarding is in the blood of business here so no reason to blame usa.go fishing
Its the sanctions which have frozen vaccine manufacturing dumb ass. India doesn’t just manufacture for India but for GAVI and developing world under COVAX.
I pity your ignorance.
Because we live in globalised world stupid.
A little homework always helps and saves you from humility and embarrassment. Please study before you blurt nonsense.
You should be thankful that India, my country stands on the credence of helping those in need or else your inept country couldn’t have survived this pandemic.
Remember those days when USA came crying to us for support and medical aid we gladly extended the same? The likes of you are not to be trusted. No wonder you’ve become powerful by stepping on the graves of others.
Such a shame of a nation.
It’s already too late . Even if US changes it’s policy on vaccines after 1 week , it will be no use …
This is the same diaspora dancing to the tune of ‘Howdo Modi’ and trying to influence the Presidential election! They betrayed the country in which they borned and the country which gave them food and shelter! Imagine the position of US if the Trump had temped in election!! Believe us, no one need their intervention!
Once a nationality is accepted the national affinity has to be absolute, otherwise one falls in the category of those with divided loyalty. Support for India is one thing but Indians for Indians’ has risk of slipping into wrong hands to detriment of Indian national interest.
The Indians in America can come back to the motherland if they feel so sentimental. They are anyway a useless lot who love their country and thier politicians despite sucking the economy of America and enjoying the lifestyle of another culture. Really confused desis.
But Biden is merely following Trump’s ‘America First’ policy, and is committed to vaccinating everybody by June-end.
We have to see Biden’s track record. He was the senator who brought legislation against India getting cryogenic technology from Russia under Boris Yeltsin. His new found pro-India policy is only because US wants India to contain China without getting large number of body bags.
US have their own policies we have to accept it.
But the present situation is a very different one where anybody, even Biden and Harris also have not seen world like this. So they should come out of major rules if they are humans.
“We shouldn’t pluck a food from a hungry person but If Keeping food as a waste in my home is peaceful for me than to help a hunger- there food has no value” Please keep it.
Similarly the vaccine in stock which will not be used also has no value.
All remember the US Election days and Its new Cabinet. Now Europe plays a better character.
Voted for Trump? Why not ask him?
ab ki baar Trump sarkar?
Good idea and efforts but is it really going to help the common citizens, the state level politics is at its worst in India. Politicians and their parties are not doing anything constive for people very bad situation. People are dying I hospital only.
Modi exporting vaccine to foreign without giving citizens of India. Now we depending to other countries. What’s the joke.
Inhuman attitude by US Govt.inspite of knowing the seriousness of the problem in saving the 1000s of lives. There is neglected attitude of Indian govt in taking corrective readiness steps in forecasting the possible eventualities. Any how other countries r coming to the rescue to some extent.
Who told our PM to export 60M doses of vaccines???? ?? For him image is first and then people.there is politics even in oxygen cylinders.poor government
According to news reports on 25 April 2021, there is no indication presently of US lifting a ban to allow export of raw material for increasing production of Covishield vaccine so necessary to deal with mounting COVID-19 or double mutant of virus infections in India. The Serum Institute of India had taken up the request with the Biden administration in the US for lifting the ban on the export of raw material in favor of India. News reports say that presently there is indication of yes from there. It is being argued that law on the subject requires prioritization of domestic needs. The US is passing through fury of COVID-19 or its mutated forms in the ongoing times. Subsequently, it appears that other ways out may be considered.
In this context, it may be apt to refer readers to one of predictive alerts of this Vedic astrology writer in article, as follows, published at theindiapost.com on 7 September, 2020:-
“India in the year 2021 – planetary impacts interpreted: kushal kumar”. The predictive alert in the article published on 7 September, 2020, viewed as having close relevance to India’s request for raw material for production of Covishield in India with the US and when not met, exploration through other sources. The predictive alert being referred to is here:-
“( 5 ). The time – period of one and a half month spawning over second half of April to full May ( 15 April to 31 May ) in 2021 , looks to be one of strategy to vitalize farmers , agriculture and crop-shortages. Cost of energy resources like gas , oil , power , can either jump or some issues concerning production , storage , and distribution of these may get obstructed. Shortages of food , eatables and life-saving medicines can be in close focus. The right course can be to get involved on war footing as soon as any related issue comes to notice. Advice of best and credible experts in the related field may be had without loss of time , and acted upon to provide cover. Within this period of 15 April to 31 May , the one of 11 days from about 21 May to 31 May seems to be calling particular attention. The compulsive and restrictive nature of times may present situations before Delhi to either bear the enormity of worrisome concern or to take recourse to a bit contrary to certain principles or policies hitherto pursued. A decision to be taken may be hard but there may not be a broad choice available. War or war-like postures of hostile countries can cause worry. It may be in the fitness of things to allow this period to pass without giving a push to major initiatives about partnership deals with other countries. A time when maintaining independent or exclusive decision-making may be harder”.
The last two sentences are closely relevant to the issue of raw material. Reaching out to a partner country for help may not bring yes necessitating exploring of more ways out. In this light, it can be said that the predictive alert published on 7 September 2020 has been meaningful.
Link to reach the predictive article published on 7 September, 2020:-
https://www.theindiapost.com/articles/india-in-the-year-2021-planetary-impacts-interpreted-kushal-kumar/
Despite having undergone personal tragedies in his life,Mr.Biden is heartless!…but in a tragic situation of this magnitude,to look the other way is nothing short of unsympathetic and inhuman.I understand America for Americans…But not when there is a surplus !
What surplus? Only about half of the adults have both shots. They’re starting on teenage and older now. Plus ALL the illegals coming in with Covid-19 meaning it could spread again
Good to see the Indians in Ametica fighting for India which they have renounced long back. You cannot serve two countries at the same time like you cannot serve two masters at the same time. Stay in India to know the pain first hand and fight!!
The real blame lies with us and what we did as a nation since independence. We lived from day to day without providing for a rainy day, despite having talent and even resources. If that was the price to pay for remaining a democracy so be it. We can only waste what is not it short supply and those are lives. Unfortunately it only hurts when someone close is lost. It is perfectly OK to put the pressure on the Biden with the electoral clout.
Thanks Print for PRINTING what is true. There are some ungrateful people in India who do not realize how helpful and powerful is the lobby of American Indians who take up the call to help Mother India when ever the need arises, like now when BJP government is responsible for all the deaths and horrible conditions in India who wants to stay in power by hook or crook at the expense of the lives and misery their own people.
Time is not always in the favour of the same …it keeps changing its side. It’s Joe Biden’s time now, let him be . All India will do, is that ….It will remember these things. And would react in the times when They are in need .
Yes one should never forget the back stabbing.
The nuclear toxic waste, the NRI Americans went in hordes and voted for the Dems. There were a few of us, desis, from India trying our best to explain why identity politics is bad and Trump is a far better candidate.
I am not sure if Trump would have done something different. But he was a simple, self-centred person who could have done different because he is not compromised as Beijing Biden.
India has to deal with this all by herself. We will pay an enormous cost. But we should not forget the lessons.
Modi should act tough on these lie spreading media houses first and bring them down to ensure that the public get transparent, true information.
Jokes like The Print should be put down like a rabies infested animal for the good of the society.
Last year the situation was quite opposite. Our Indian Government helped US immediately on their request. Now the scenario has changed. The Biden-Harris duo won with the help of Indian vote bank and now showing their attitude to India. This is disgusting. This shows they’re using Indians and no humanity at all. Trump is better than this Biden-Harris duo. You both will reap for this soon.Long live Trump.
Pretty ironic. Indian Americans helped Biden squeak through a narrow victory (0.7%) in Georgia and that also gave that same narrow victory to 2 senate seats in Georgia that gave the Democrats a majority in Senate so that they can essentially do whatever they want. A few months ago, posts showing names of a long list of Indian-Americans in Biden’s cabinet were circulating on WhatsApp highlighting the prominence of Indian Americans in the Biden administration. But looks like none of that has helped. VP Kamala Harris or Pramila Jayapal (right hand of Nancy Pelosi who is leader of Democratic party in their House (i.e. Lok Sabha)) or Ro Khanna (House representative from Silicon Valley) could not unlock this ban. Did they even try? No lobbying either by powerful CEOs of big tech, like Sundar Pichai whose Google / Youtube was quite partial to Biden.
I am one of the few Indian Americans to have voted for Trump. Unfortunately, most of my friends here get more excited about BLM and DACA than about US policy towards India or China.
So much for liberals who love the whole world and is disgusted with the word ‘nationalism’
Shows difference between India and US. World is our family vs self first. US should be ashamed. India is not asking for vacccines , —only ingredients. We know how to make the vaccine and have capability. Looks like that is the problem. Anyway even if vacccines expire doesn’t matter. Dog with the bone attitude. Unbelievable from Biden.
Putting a pressure on Biden government atleast to supply the raw material for vaccine manufacturing is important what if when America was in need and india says indian first policy would America accept that ,make American politician feel the pitch of being soo selfish
Well certainly Ab baar Trump sarkaar slogan will cost, Indians who voted for Biden , did so out of compulsion, as Trump was kicking on the asses of the Indians, when the Hindus for Trump campaign failed.
relative of the VP was continuously tweeting on farm protest, but is silent on this vaccine issue.
India have the capacity to buy, should not take for free
Is it because of an ki bar Trump sarkar
Boden administration has been showing anti- Indian colours consistently.
No need for India to cooperate with US any more.
Chinese and Russians will make better friends.
Joe Biden doesn’t need Indian American votes anymore. Thank you.
Very true , all of them FOB immigrants who are taking advantage of the liberal environment of their newly adopted country.
Internal matter?
Only countries that supplied vaccines to other countries at cost of their own citizens are Russia, China and India. First two are totalitarian regimes. India is almost there.
Till recently indian government was boasting for being the vaccine manufacturer for the world. Of course their own citizens were not in the calculus.
These guys want dual citizenship that is disallowed by both USA and India. A “sicko” group surviving in the US because the US is more tolerant. Will get their wings clipped any day now if they cross the limit. As such, most in this group are 1st generation immigrants.
we are not only surviving but also thriving because of the tolerance you so disdain. can you say the same for india? in india even indians can’t survive. enough with the andbhakti man
Good politics can’t you see there families lives in India. Would you comment the same if your family members get covid and getting difficult in getting oxygen. Guys like you will even get a coin if it is in drainage.
Good politics can’t you see there families lives in India. Would you comment the same if your family members get covid and getting difficult in getting oxygen.
Very true.these nri Modi bhakts are the very reason we have a govt which does not care for its people.for them people r votes
looks like government antagonized enough SOUL HARVESTERS.