By Atul Aneja and Ateet Sharma
The picturesque Caribbean nations, which have threaded a strong cultural connection through migration, culture and sport, are standing by India which is facing a massive second wave of Covid-19.
India is currently facing the biggest crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The country recorded a historic high in cases, with over 360,000 cases reported in a single day, wrote the website WIC News.
The second most populous country is also experiencing a shortage of oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, ICU’s and even ventilators. People are breathless and looking to be saved. A shortage of COVID-19 vaccines is also expected to be experienced in the coming days, the portal added.
Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, in his capacity as Chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has sent a touching message of international solidarity to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi.
“As Chairman of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, I wish to affirm that we stand united with India in her hour of need.” wrote PM Skerrit in his message.
He pointed out how India had stood by his vulnerable nation and of all Caribbean countries at the time of their need.
“Not only with the Commonwealth of Dominica but also with our neighbours right here in the Caribbean in the selfless donation of Astra Zeneca vaccines. The leader of the great country of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognised the plight of his Commonwealth brothers and acted swiftly in making the vaccines available,” stated PM Skerrit.
With a huge population and a significant strain on its medical system, it is a country in its darkest hours. “Let us all keep the people and government of India in our prayers as they continue to grapple with the Covid 19 pandemic,” stated PM Skerrit.
Before getting stuck into the marsh of the virus, India helped many developing nations with free Covid-19 vaccines. Dominica was the first country in the Caribbean to receive 70,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine manufactured in Serum Institute of India, the website observed. Following Dominica, several other countries, including St Lucia, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, are some other nations that received the generous gift of life-saving vaccines from India.
Even though I trust every word of the bible, I must confess that I did not imagine that the prayers of my country would have been answered so swiftly. Thank You India. @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/S04q5ZV2Py
— Roosevelt Skerrit (@SkerritR) February 10, 2021
India’s transfer of vaccines to the Caribbean had earlier touched a people-to people chord, amplified by the response of legendary cricketers from the region. West Indies cricket great, Sir Vivian Richards and other cricketing start, such as Chris Gale, and Jimmy Adams.
"I would like to thank India for the wonderful contribution made to our country which is the vaccine. We thank you so much on behalf of the Antiguan and Barbudan people. We look forward, also that in the future, continued relationship. Thank you very much Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the High Commission of India. We also thank all of the people in India for such a kind gesture," said Vivian Richards, one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Richards is a native of Antigua and Barbuda which had received over 175,000 Covid-19 vaccines – 40,000 of them under the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative – as part of a donation made by the Indian government to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and Suriname.
PM @AndrewHolnessJM and his wife @JulietHolness M.P. took their first dose of the AZ #vaccine today, leading by example and encouraging all 🇯🇲 to take the vaccine when it is their turn. We again thank the Govt of India for this kind gift. @MEAIndia @SerumInstIndia @hcikingston https://t.co/u9QNdTR3Wu
— Hon. Kamina J Smith (@kaminajsmith) March 22, 2021
The transfers of jabs to the Caribbean were part of the 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative, which first began in mid-March in the immediate neighbourhood, starting with the Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius and Seychelles. The extended neighbourhood followed thereafter, including the countries in the Gulf. Supplying smaller and more vulnerable nations remained on India's agenda as it reached out to regions from Africa to the CARICOM, a grouping of Caribbean countries.
The Government of India has announced a total donation of 570,000 doses to the CARICOM region.
Another cricketing great, Richie Richardson was also effusive in his praise for India's stunning initiative.
"On behalf of the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, I would like to thank the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi for his kind generosity in offering us 40,000 vaccines. We are extremely grateful to you and your country. Thank you very very much," said the former West Indies captain.
In Jamaica's Kingston, country's Prime Minister Andrew Holness had personally received over 50,000 doses of Indian covid vaccine at the Norman Manley International Airport, earlier this month. He isn't the only expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
Swashbuckling left-handed West Indies batsman Chris Gayle also thanked PM Modi and India for helping Jamaica in these challenging times.
"Honourable Prime Minister Modi, people of India and Government of India, I want to thank you for the donation of vaccines to Jamaica. We appreciate it, thank you so much. India I will be seeing you soon and thanks once again," Gayle said in a video posted by the High Commission of India in Jamaica
Besides Antigua and Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica and several other Caribbean countries have also received the India-made vaccines under the Vaccine Maitri initiative.
"I just want to use this opportunity to say thank you to the Government of India for the support that they are giving to the people all across the region in donating vaccines. I know that my own home country of Jamaica is benefitting from this initiative and also Antigua where I'm currently working with Cricket West Indies. We are all deeply grateful to the Government of India and on behalf of the people in the Caribbean I would like to thank you for this great initiative," said former West Indies wicketkeeper Jimmy Adams who is currently working as Director of Cricket with Cricket West Indies (CWI).
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West Indies cricketing greats @ivivianrichards @RichieRich2000 #jimmyadams #ramnareshsarwan thank #India @PMOIndia @narendramodi for donation of #MadeInIndia @SerumInstIndia #CovishieldVaccine to #Antigua #Guyana @CARICOMorg @AntiguaOpm @OPTGY @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar @drkjsrini pic.twitter.com/olM3FItD0N
— India in Guyana (@IndiainGuyana) March 13, 2021
