It is a great relief for the Indian citizens that vaccine for COVID-19 has been rolled out in India. India that was battered by the pandemic and also unplanned and insensitive lockdown by the government of India can now hope for a better scenario. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launching India's giant vaccination drive on 16th January, 2021, claimed that this drive will ensure decisive win over COVID-19. He also gave a motto, “Dawai bhi, Kadai bhi (yes to vaccine, yes to discipline)". 
He as usual paid tribute to frontline workers and scientists and warned citizens against falling for propaganda or rumours over vaccines.

On the one hand, the citizens of India would heave a sigh of relief that the proposed vaccine will help them to ward off the deadly pandemic. Even if the vaccine administration will be done in different phases, the citizens will be willing to wait for their turn. The Prime Minister and his agents kept claiming that this drive is one of the world’s biggest vaccination programs aimed at inoculating 3 crore health and other frontline workers to start with. PM Modi also cautioned that even after vaccination, citizens must stay vigilant and maintain all precautions against the virus, including masks and distancing.

On day one of the drive, over 1.91 lakh people were inoculated across the country. While the effort to vaccinate the citizens by the government is highly welcomed there are many issues that need to be addressed.

On the other hand, there has been total lack of communication from the government regarding the preparation of the vaccine or the time when the inoculation will start. In November, The Economic Times had stated 3 inter-related challenges for the citizens of India. 
Firstly, the second wave of the pandemic was approaching; secondly, there is total uncertainty regarding the vaccine; and thirdly, the economic state of the country was in a bad state of affairs. Now, when the vaccines are as claimed by the government is available, there is little information to the common masses of the country. Those who have the facilities to read newspaper, watch television or get updated in social media are better placed with regard to information about the vaccine. But those who do not have these facilities, are in utter darkness. 

What is extremely disgusting and disappointing is the attitude and behaviour of the Prime Minister and his agents. The drive was remote launched by the Prime Minister with the chanting of a Sanskrit shloka that meant ''let all be happy, let all be healthy''. 

As usual, the Prime Minister invited others to get ready for the vaccine but he himself did not show from the front by taking the vaccine as the first person. If he had done this like the other world leaders, he would have communicated to the citizens that the vaccine is safe, it needs to be taken by all the citizens, there are no side effects, etc. 

The United States’ three most recent former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton volunteered get their Covid-19 vaccinations on camera. With this move they hope to raise awareness about the vaccine and promote confidence in its safety and effectiveness. 

The Prime Minister launching India's giant vaccination drive, paid tribute to frontline workers and scientists and warned citizens against falling for propaganda or rumours over vaccines. But he did not take the vaccine himself. He was busy inaugurating metro rail lines and claiming that the Unity Statue attracts more tourists than Liberty Statue.

What is even more discouraging and unacceptable is that the caste, feudal and class nature of the ruling elite of this country stood out again in stark nakedness. In Delhi, as reported by the Hindustan Times on 16th January, 2021, a sanitation worker received the first shot. If this person did it on his own and was willing to take the risk for his own sake and for the sake of other citizens of the country, it is appreciable. But if he was forced to do so since he is a lower level official in the government establishment, it goes against the very tenets of the constitution of India. 

Further, the Health Minister of the Government of India stood there to witness this event. But he himself did not receive the vaccine to demonstrate the fact that the vaccine is fine and there are no side effects and thus could have generated faith in the people. 

Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan claimed in a press brief, "The vaccines have been presented before the country like 'sanjeevani' in the fight against COVID-19. The fight was gradually heading towards victory... but now it seems almost definite that the step towards victory will be taken quickly”. But he failed to announce a program of action which would have spelt out how this inoculation drive would be taken to the remotest villages of India where mostly the Dalits, the Tribals, women and children live. Many citizens are asking for a blue print from the government regarding the drive but nothing is forthcoming from the government. 

On the other hand, the health warriors came forward in big number to get themselves inoculated so that this could generate greater trust in the vaccine. As usual, they have shown the path for the politicians, leaders and all the citizens of India. Dr Girdhari Lal, Chief Medical Health Officer of Rajasthan's Ganganagar said, “ I was the first to be vaccinated in Ganganagar district today. Our nursing staffers and other health workers will also be vaccinated, and they are motivated and will continue to serve the people”. What is more encouraging is that irrespective of their continued sacrifice they do not expect anything in return.
 

It was also reported that resident doctors of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi highlighted the fact that instead of tested and approved Covishield [Serum institute] vaccine, trial vaccine Covaxin [Bharat Biotech] is being tried out.  In a letter written to the officials the doctors highlighted this crucial fact, "We request you to vaccinate us with Covishield which has completed all stages of the trial before its rollout," the letter said.There is also reports that those who are asked to get the vaccine or those who want to get vaccine are asked to fill a form that they are doing this on their own free will. This has created apprehension in the minds of the citizens of the country. 
    
But there are many challenges in front of a country like India as it is in all the countries. Some of them are: It is going to be a huge task for the government and the health workers to ensure that the vaccine reaches 130 crore citizens of the country, especially those who are in the remotest villages and forests. A few questions need to be asked: what kind of storage facilities the government has developed to store the vaccine; the logistic challenges of transporting to the remotest parts of the country;  if there are adverse effects how would that be handled without hiding the facts and at the same time not creating panic among the people; how to create public confidence and maintain the spirit till the last Indian is inoculated.

Some people keep arguing that in a country like India which has crores of population, it is difficult to invest in vaccinating them. But they fail to see the other side of the picture. Live Mint reported on 13th January, 2021 that the Cabinet has cleared the procurement of 83 Tejas Jets for Indian Air Force at a cost of Rs. 45,700 crores. The Defence Minister also warned our neighbouring countries not to take India light due to its strike power. 

Even common masses of this country reiterate this fact that it is not in the weapons that the country’s strength is located. It is not even in its material growth. It is built on a common, broader, wider and better vision for all. Presenting his vision at the Beijing Forum in China on November 2, 2012, late President A.P.J. Kalam spoke about how vital the idea of a liveable planet earth is. “Humanity needs a great vision to forget all the conflicts and move towards a common goal of peace and prosperity for all global citizens. We visualise the birth of a world vision leading to ‘liveable Planet Earth’. This vision will be greater than any other vision so far envisioned by humanity.” He further advised the politicians to show maturity and work for the sustainable development of the country. What other thoughts do we need now when the country is infested with multiple, multi-layered challenges and problems.