From Sexy Clothes
to Mystic Mask
There is more to this ‘mask’ than meets the eye. Read a curtain raiser write up
By Mukesh Sharma
Man comes to earth in his ‘birthday suit’. In early days of human evolution, he would move around buck naked. The natural sensation in erogenous zones on human body at the sight of opposite sex, made man to feel the need of wearing the loin cloth – it helps to hide the copulative desires, and passes him for a man of ‘good’ character.
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| There is more to this ‘mask’ than meets the eye |
With the course of time and material advancement, other wears were developed. However, the ‘sex’ was the basis of all the clothing – woman clothes were suitable for woman body – helpful in giving nature’s call and perform quickly and comfortably other ‘acts’ – man’s clothes too were made with compatibility to male ‘needs’. Further clothes were developed to give the man a distinctive identity related to region, tradition, culture, profession and position. In other words, each clothes worn by the man serves specific purpose.
Now the mystic mask has also joined the wardrobe of the man. Unlike other wears designated for man and woman separately, the mask is not sexist. Irrespective of colour or country, region or religion, rich or poor, it treats all equally. What genius like Karl Marx couldn’t do, the petty mask has done. Right from Donald Trump to common tramp pissing around on the roads of Indian cities, everyone wear mask. Mask is a great leveler.
Though the common man doubts the efficacy of mask being used for the prevention of spread of corona, for, the tinniest virus can pass through any porous fabric, he sees a big ‘’conspiracy and million dollar business behind the mask”, particularly, in India.
Big names like Reebok, Levis, Nike, etc with good ‘understanding’ with the authorities have flooded the market, allegedly with the “non standard branded fancy masks.” Middle class always takes pride in using branded stuff in India. Even private schools have come up with their own mask going with the uniform of their school. It is easy to squeeze parents.
To hospitals and doctors, it is a “roaring business” behind the mask. Surprisingly enough, India
stands at No.2 in the world for corona cases but recovery rate is over 88 per
cent that too without the availability of medicine/treatment. No developed country
has performed such a ‘grand feat’. What is more, there are news reports that reveal that government hospitals are not
fully equipped to tackle corona; a great
number of hospitals lack oxygen, ventilators, beds, etc. Sources reveal besides donation of thousands of crores to PM fund by Indians,
India also got $2.9mn from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Bank aproved $1bn corona fund to India. However, the poor people are
charged for COVID test and treatment, for the reasons best known to ‘honest’
netas only. For VIPs/VVIPs treatment is free of charge. Even if vaccine hits the
market, people doubt that govt. can make it available for all. By an estimate,
80,000 crores would be needed to vaccinate all. In a country where a sizable
number of populace struggling with
deadliest disease ‘hunger’, it is doubtful that government would spend the
estimated whopping sum for the containment of corona.
‘Dutiful’ police, the next 'regiment' of corona ‘warriors’ which has been given free hand, always remains on its toe to ‘salute’ the mighty, and ‘sanitize’ the commoner with danda and ‘comfort-fee’. People allege brisk ‘businesses behind the mask.
People contend that in this this tough and trying time, only government servants who have secured jobs, fat salary and no work, have been enjoying life. Private giant players like Amazon(Jeff Besos, US), Ambani, Hinduja, Shiv Nadar, Adani, Azim Premi, even in COVID situation have amassed wealth. Rest more or less are doomed. But all 'hon’bles' as ever are busy in discussion and suggestions. Here in India words speak louder than action. Thanks to media, the mouth piece of elitist and political class.
Duly and democratically elected government with 30-40 per cent vote share armed with managed magic numbers is busy working overtime in passing bills after bills in the Parliament where the most of the session scores of seats remain empty – 'devoted and diligent' law makers remain busy in other more important 'public' activities than the parliament session. Notwithstanding, laws are made for the common peoples, the mighty rules the law. Indian netas have mastered the ‘rules' of the 'game’ precisely and perfectly from the wily Britisher who ruled for 200 years and bled the Indians for every penny through bills/laws. Always preoccupied with the politics of brinkmanship and one-upmanship , netas are successfully using ‘mask’ to hide all failings – low GDP, unemployment, alleged rampant corruption at implementation level by over smart government officials, widespread poverty and hunger in flood affected areas etc. There is more to this mystic mask than meets the eye.
