(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has so far affected 216 countries or territories or areas and has infected over 6 million people globally. COVID-19 has effected India steadily over last three months, A country of 130 crore population with federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories has been shaken-up with the outbreak of uncontrolled virulent disease. The pandemic witnessed state of disarray across the nation which lead to increase the number of affected corona positives,fatality, socia-economic breakdown, hunger among poors etc.

There is a proverb “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today” Amid COVID-19 in the country, one state” Chhattisgarh” outshined in a war to fight the fatal COVID 19 with its unique preparation and mechanism against the war with Corona Virus. Chhattisgarh’s success could be attributed to the preparedness of the government under Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his personal surveillance and his conviction in coordination with state bureaucracy headed by RP Mandal (CS)and all the departments of the state. Unlike many other states, Chhattisgarh got its act together early and the chief minister Bhupesh Baghel led from the front. Even much before the declaration of national lock-down, State Government of Chhattisgarh preempted the fatality and the possible consequences of the outbreak of worldwide epidemic , so it declared the high alert mode and also sought Public Cooperation to fight together with the worldwide pandemic.

In an appreciation to which, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel was applauded for his leadership during corona-virus by UNICEF India. UNICEF India took to Twitter to appreciate the CM, they wrote in a tweet, “We’d like to applaud the efforts of @ChhattisgarhCMO in containment and preparedness of #COVID19. Appreciate & congratulate @bhupeshbaghel ji for his leadership for this achievement & the launch of @ChakmakCG & Sajag parenting in partnership with #UNICEF @WCDCgGov & @MCCR_CG.”

In State Government of Chhattisgarh for prevention of Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19), district collectors been issued circular from Secretariat well in advance. So the administration did not give any permission for organizing any kind of social-community events in tourist destinations of the state, keeping in view the threat of infection in crowded places like that. Collectors were asked instructed to collect information about foriegn tourists checking in at hotels, motels, resorts and other rest houses, and ensure their health check-up.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, State Government from the war room had taken many important decisions. Toll-free number Nidaan-1100 was made available for common people to register complaints regarding corona virus.Government of Chhattisgarh right from the beginning adopted the instructions issued by GoI followed by WHO for SOCIAL DISTANCING and HOME ISOLATION, as it is the only way to prevent the spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic . State Government had appealed people to take the lockdown seriously to save themselves and their families from corona infection. Chhattisgarh Government closed all the aanganbadi centers in the state, as one of the measures to prevent spread of Corona virus (COVID-19) on instructions of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

State Health department ensured that the passengers to strictly follow the guidelines regarding home isolation for 14 days, strict vigil was kept on the cases, wherein the isolated person complaint of symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, was taken to nearby government hospital for health checkup.
In order to avoid any unfavorable situation for people of the state and special poors Chhattisgarh Government distributed lump sum stock of rice for the month of April and May, 2020 to the PDS ration card holders, for prevention of COVID-19 infection. Food Department were given instructions to release lump sum allotment of salt and sugar along with rice for April and May, 2020 for ‘antyoday’, ‘priority’ and ‘annapurna’ ration cards. Chhattisgarh Government properly took care of the nutrition needs of children, pregnant and lactating women, and teenage girls. Women groups prepared and distributed ready-to-eat food while adhering to the quality and hygiene standards, nutritious food being distributed to children of age group 6 months to 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers and teenage girls. Women and Child Development Department ensured distribution of ready-to-eat foods at the doorstep of beneficiaries, through aanganbadi workers.
The state also took care of the migrant workers who were left stranded due to the lockdown. They were accommodated at shelter homes where they were also provided with food and other necessities.

The Chhattisgarh government took cognisance of the plight of migrant workers who are crossing the state to reach their destinations and assisted them with food and their onward journey. Chhattisgarh is surrounded by 7 states and thousands of migrant workers encountering immense difficulties owing to the nationwide lockdown were seen walking home to their villages in the adjoining states. The state government directed all district collectors to ensure none of the migrant labourers remain hungry and be given assistance to get as far as the border of the Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh was the first state to have adopted such practice on extending its help to tens of thousands of migrant labourers hailing from other neighbouring regions.

Under the instructions of chief minister Bhupesh Baghel all the collectors made arrangement for the migrant labourers who en route the Chhattisgarh were proceeding to their respective states. Besides food and water, workers were facilitated to land up at the Chhattisgarh border. The migrant labourers provided with best possible help. Following the lockdown, the Chhattisgarh has emerged as a transit corridor for the stranded workers from states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. According to the official press release over 1.5 lakh needy people are being given free food and ration daily. These also include the poor and labourers from other states.