Emmanuel Bhaskar's Blog
December 11, 2024
My Review of Stephen Heartland- Louis Pasteur Condemns BIG PHARMA
It is a wonderful book that highlights historical aspects of vaccine invention, especially Louis Pasteur's life, and moves to explain what, in the author's opinion, is not so good about vaccine development and its implementation for public health.
The book starts with a description of Pasteur’s struggle to prove the germ theory and how he patiently convinced the public and peers that the prevailing belief of spontaneous creation is false. The author has brought out the historical aspects in one of the finest ways, and that makes a mark on me, who has read reasonably well about Pasteur. The author’s elaboration on his public experiments, the power to question his own findings, and politely accepting irrational criticism are commendable. His writing on events, which led to the first rabies vaccine, are immersive.
As a doctor practicing outside the US, I am unable to comment on the aspects the authors state about the FDA. The claims of the author are worrying. I accept that healthcare is seen as a business in most parts of the world. While early clinical research had transparency. Post-2003, the year I graduated with my MD, I could see a shift to massive commercialization. The FDA needs to be more transparent about approving drugs and devices. Many other writings concur with the author's concern about the conflict of interest among FDA members who often simultaneously give consultation to pharma industries. It is like a Court Judge providing consultation to the suspect. I also agree that many firm conclusions of FDA are taken back after some time. In healthcare, a well-made conclusion rarely goes wrong wholly. Having said that, the author uses very strong words to criticize the FDA. But we need more evidence to confirm the allegations made. And it is challenging to prove many of his accusations since we need strong willpower and government support to even initiate an investigation.
The author has provided several solutions to the problem as a non-medical person. I appreciate his giving his solutions free-to-share permission. Here are my thoughts on it.
Solution 1: Eliminate pay offs in Clinics to promote vaccinations- I fully agree that such practice can be easily manipulated for business. In developing countries, I have seen the practice of giving benefits to mothers vaccinating their children with polio drops. The pulse polio immunization in India and many other countries has been the main reason behind the near eradication of polio in these countries. Such financial incentives to people benefit the community when done with good intention. But the practice of financial benefits to the doctor is against Hippocrates' principles.
Solution 2: Practice informed consent without prejudice- I agree that informed consent for vaccination is critical for an ethical practice. Forcing a vaccine during a pandemic, especially the regulations during COVID in many developing countries, was a grave mistake. All global agencies failed to correctly assess the vaccine's benefit with reference to infection. The COVID vaccines ( mRNA-Adenovirus vector-inactivated) were believed to prevent infection from COVID. So, the public believed that taking a vaccine could prevent infection and hence it would also prevent transmission. The vaccine was rolled out in late 2020. But in early 2021, the virus mutated from the original Wuhan Variant to the Delta variant. This new variant escaped the vaccine defense and infected vaccinated individuals. But, in India I felt vaccinated individuals had lesser infection severity. As a health care worker, I was offered the choice of either the adenovirus vector vaccine or the inactivated virus vaccine. Since adenovirus vector vaccine was a new platform, I chose the inactivated virus vaccine, which was an established platform made by a producer on whom I had faith. Coming back to the point of what would have happened when a person declines COVID vaccine ? The person could have developed a less severe infection. A person, irrespective of the vaccination status, is any way at the risk of transmitting the infection to others. So, the regulation should have been compulsory mask use when a person moves in public, which will prevent the spread of infection in the community in case the person is infected with the virus.
Solution 3: Parents should decide what is right for their children- I fully agree. Parents are the best judges to identify what suits and what does not suit their children. All parents want their children to be healthy. Many times, I have seen parents identify which antibiotic does not suit their children. They also identify minor vaccine-related adverse effects when they see it repeatedly after vaccine use. For example, longer duration of fever after a, say, MMR vaccine compared to polio vaccine. But exceptions are those parents who tend to be ill-informed or believe untrue stories about medicines and vaccines. I have seen many parents avoid polio drops for their kids, which is not a correct decision, in my opinion, since we know that getting polio is riskier than the rare vaccine side effects.
Solution 4: Delay Hepatitis B vaccination until a pre-teen year. Solution 5: Eliminate Gardasil from the list of recommended vaccines. I fully agree with the author. The fear of the author of vaccines causing some illness in the long run is a genuine concern. This can be confirmed only by a long-duration cohort study. Immunologically, vaccines can create abnormal autoimmunity in children and even in adults. I do not see any studies on that line. However, a simpler approach would be to restrict the vaccine to high-risk individuals. Has childhood vaccination lowered the rates of acute infection? The answer is yes for many diseases like polio, tetanus, mumps, measles , rubella, etc. Has Childhood vaccination reduced a child's overall health after growing as an adult? The answer is may be Yes or No. I am not saying that increased doses of vaccination as a child are causing illness in adults, but there is nothing wrong with assessing that aspect.
I see a long-term study that compares chronic illness among children fully vaccinated as per CDC guidelines and the less privileged children say in Africa will shed more light on the question. The list of vaccines in the CDC is ever-increasing, and I see no strong evidence to support it. Vaccination programs in India , especially the government ones, cover only essential vaccines, which have been proven to help the at-risk individuals. Despite a very low cover for influenza vaccine, we see mortality lower than what the US reports.
Solution 6: Use True Placebos and not chemically active products as a placebo in trials- I needed to understand what the author is trying to explain fully. In randomized studies on drugs, the comparator is usually the standard care given for the illness at that period, and if no treatment is available, then a placebo is used. Having seen the multi-centric drug trials in India , the argument that the placebo harms the participants and hence the new vaccine appears to be safe does not seem acceptable to me. Here is what the drug companies may do. In the initial study, they check if the new drug or vaccine is as good as the comparator. In other words, no pharma will market a drug that is inferior to the present medicine. Then, if they want to manipulate the data, they may show it as superior to the present drug. In practice, I take 3 to 5 years before using a new drug ( except for drug-resistant infections and a few others). But since many of my peers will start to use the new drugs once it is available, I see the outcomes in their patients. Many times, a drug as old as metformin for diabetes will fare as well as a new drug, which is expensive. It is a complicated scenario. Pharma companies are essential for the discovery of new medicines. When they invest money in drug research, expecting early returns is not bad. But human intentions make it wrong. A good solution would be public-private funding where the government bears the burden of research, which will decrease the loss to the Pharma.
Solution 7: Be transparent – publish all drug and vaccine trial data. I agree with the suggestion. But it isn't very easy. Making the data open will not improve the genuine nature of the data. It can still be manipulated. However, supervision by a body of government who have the right to contact any patient enrolled in a particular study will improve the truth in the data. Vaccine or drug-associated adverse events, when cross-verified by a third party who is neutral, will automatically regulate the data entry.
Solution 8: Test individual vaccine ingredients for safety,
Solution 9: Label Aluminium content in vaccines – include a warning - I agree and also disagree on this. The solution offered by the author is very difficult to implement. A simpler solution is to use the time-tested vaccine adjuvants and use newer adjuvants only after extensive research. Now, why does Pharma use new ingredients? It is to improve the shelf life, lower the transport requirements, or increase the immunogenicity of the vaccine. This needs good financial and infrastructure planning. Discussing this further will be so confusing for a non-medical person. So, I will stop here. As for the use of Aluminum in vaccines. Even food and water have Aluminum . If a child is healthy, then it will be metabolized. The argument of the author is less convincing for me. But an expert in Clinical biochemistry should explore the doubt.
Solution 10: Remove vaccine manufacturers' liability protection. This law was originally formed so that pharmaceutical companies could research new drugs without fear of legal litigation. However, during the early phase, drugs and vaccines were tested adequately before clinical use. Most safe vaccines have a 1 in a million serious adverse event. I am not sure how the law can handle this.
Solution 11: Declare vaccine risk in advertising : Not sure if this will help. A lay person may not be able to interpret the risk. It is the doctor who should assess and decide if the person will benefit from the vaccine. Furthermore vaccine risk varies between ages. For instance, the mRNA vaccine for COVID caused cardiac inflammation in the young, but not the elderly. This was identified only in post-marketing. So, vaccine risk should be studied well before the widespread implementation. Again, the regulators should give their best to assess risk without bias.
Solution 12: Legally treat vaccines as drugs: It should be the case even in US. In India drugs, vaccines and devices come under a single umbrella
Solution 13: After Antibiotic therapy delay vaccine: True for vaccines against bacteria. Not sure if it holds good for viruses
Solution 14: Ban Consumer drug and vaccine advertising: Agree
Solution 15: Disallow mandate of vaccine unproven for safety or effectiveness: Vaccine mandates is a very wrong practice except when it can harm the society in a big way. I have already said for COVID that if a person does not get vaccinated then they may only harm themselves and not others since it lowers the illness severity and does not prevent transmission. But if a vaccine prevents infection itself like the polio vaccine then it has community benefits.
Solution 16: Eliminate consumer penalties for non-vaccination: Agree. I would quote the example of Djokovic who was banned from Australian open when he refused vaccination. Ideally he should have been allowed to play if the day’s COVID test was negative . Many sports like cricket followed this test to allow playing method. Such mandates on vaccines which only lower the severity of illness not the illness acquisition should be condemned. Especially for vaccines whose safety is unknown either due to lack of data or conflicting data.
Before I conclude I appreciate the author having placed all the necessary references in the second half of the book.
Even though the tone of the author is quite strong, every one interested in public health should read this book even if they do not agree with the author. He has raised an important question of believing the medical science. Faith of the patient on the medical system is the cornerstone of a community health, and we should strive to keep it HEADS-UP
An if you in America, be happy that you can write such a book, which is a big risk in some countries and even a thought impossible in many.
Louis Pasteur Condemns Big Pharma: Vaccines, Drugs, and Healthcare in the United States
The book starts with a description of Pasteur’s struggle to prove the germ theory and how he patiently convinced the public and peers that the prevailing belief of spontaneous creation is false. The author has brought out the historical aspects in one of the finest ways, and that makes a mark on me, who has read reasonably well about Pasteur. The author’s elaboration on his public experiments, the power to question his own findings, and politely accepting irrational criticism are commendable. His writing on events, which led to the first rabies vaccine, are immersive.
As a doctor practicing outside the US, I am unable to comment on the aspects the authors state about the FDA. The claims of the author are worrying. I accept that healthcare is seen as a business in most parts of the world. While early clinical research had transparency. Post-2003, the year I graduated with my MD, I could see a shift to massive commercialization. The FDA needs to be more transparent about approving drugs and devices. Many other writings concur with the author's concern about the conflict of interest among FDA members who often simultaneously give consultation to pharma industries. It is like a Court Judge providing consultation to the suspect. I also agree that many firm conclusions of FDA are taken back after some time. In healthcare, a well-made conclusion rarely goes wrong wholly. Having said that, the author uses very strong words to criticize the FDA. But we need more evidence to confirm the allegations made. And it is challenging to prove many of his accusations since we need strong willpower and government support to even initiate an investigation.
The author has provided several solutions to the problem as a non-medical person. I appreciate his giving his solutions free-to-share permission. Here are my thoughts on it.
Solution 1: Eliminate pay offs in Clinics to promote vaccinations- I fully agree that such practice can be easily manipulated for business. In developing countries, I have seen the practice of giving benefits to mothers vaccinating their children with polio drops. The pulse polio immunization in India and many other countries has been the main reason behind the near eradication of polio in these countries. Such financial incentives to people benefit the community when done with good intention. But the practice of financial benefits to the doctor is against Hippocrates' principles.
Solution 2: Practice informed consent without prejudice- I agree that informed consent for vaccination is critical for an ethical practice. Forcing a vaccine during a pandemic, especially the regulations during COVID in many developing countries, was a grave mistake. All global agencies failed to correctly assess the vaccine's benefit with reference to infection. The COVID vaccines ( mRNA-Adenovirus vector-inactivated) were believed to prevent infection from COVID. So, the public believed that taking a vaccine could prevent infection and hence it would also prevent transmission. The vaccine was rolled out in late 2020. But in early 2021, the virus mutated from the original Wuhan Variant to the Delta variant. This new variant escaped the vaccine defense and infected vaccinated individuals. But, in India I felt vaccinated individuals had lesser infection severity. As a health care worker, I was offered the choice of either the adenovirus vector vaccine or the inactivated virus vaccine. Since adenovirus vector vaccine was a new platform, I chose the inactivated virus vaccine, which was an established platform made by a producer on whom I had faith. Coming back to the point of what would have happened when a person declines COVID vaccine ? The person could have developed a less severe infection. A person, irrespective of the vaccination status, is any way at the risk of transmitting the infection to others. So, the regulation should have been compulsory mask use when a person moves in public, which will prevent the spread of infection in the community in case the person is infected with the virus.
Solution 3: Parents should decide what is right for their children- I fully agree. Parents are the best judges to identify what suits and what does not suit their children. All parents want their children to be healthy. Many times, I have seen parents identify which antibiotic does not suit their children. They also identify minor vaccine-related adverse effects when they see it repeatedly after vaccine use. For example, longer duration of fever after a, say, MMR vaccine compared to polio vaccine. But exceptions are those parents who tend to be ill-informed or believe untrue stories about medicines and vaccines. I have seen many parents avoid polio drops for their kids, which is not a correct decision, in my opinion, since we know that getting polio is riskier than the rare vaccine side effects.
Solution 4: Delay Hepatitis B vaccination until a pre-teen year. Solution 5: Eliminate Gardasil from the list of recommended vaccines. I fully agree with the author. The fear of the author of vaccines causing some illness in the long run is a genuine concern. This can be confirmed only by a long-duration cohort study. Immunologically, vaccines can create abnormal autoimmunity in children and even in adults. I do not see any studies on that line. However, a simpler approach would be to restrict the vaccine to high-risk individuals. Has childhood vaccination lowered the rates of acute infection? The answer is yes for many diseases like polio, tetanus, mumps, measles , rubella, etc. Has Childhood vaccination reduced a child's overall health after growing as an adult? The answer is may be Yes or No. I am not saying that increased doses of vaccination as a child are causing illness in adults, but there is nothing wrong with assessing that aspect.
I see a long-term study that compares chronic illness among children fully vaccinated as per CDC guidelines and the less privileged children say in Africa will shed more light on the question. The list of vaccines in the CDC is ever-increasing, and I see no strong evidence to support it. Vaccination programs in India , especially the government ones, cover only essential vaccines, which have been proven to help the at-risk individuals. Despite a very low cover for influenza vaccine, we see mortality lower than what the US reports.
Solution 6: Use True Placebos and not chemically active products as a placebo in trials- I needed to understand what the author is trying to explain fully. In randomized studies on drugs, the comparator is usually the standard care given for the illness at that period, and if no treatment is available, then a placebo is used. Having seen the multi-centric drug trials in India , the argument that the placebo harms the participants and hence the new vaccine appears to be safe does not seem acceptable to me. Here is what the drug companies may do. In the initial study, they check if the new drug or vaccine is as good as the comparator. In other words, no pharma will market a drug that is inferior to the present medicine. Then, if they want to manipulate the data, they may show it as superior to the present drug. In practice, I take 3 to 5 years before using a new drug ( except for drug-resistant infections and a few others). But since many of my peers will start to use the new drugs once it is available, I see the outcomes in their patients. Many times, a drug as old as metformin for diabetes will fare as well as a new drug, which is expensive. It is a complicated scenario. Pharma companies are essential for the discovery of new medicines. When they invest money in drug research, expecting early returns is not bad. But human intentions make it wrong. A good solution would be public-private funding where the government bears the burden of research, which will decrease the loss to the Pharma.
Solution 7: Be transparent – publish all drug and vaccine trial data. I agree with the suggestion. But it isn't very easy. Making the data open will not improve the genuine nature of the data. It can still be manipulated. However, supervision by a body of government who have the right to contact any patient enrolled in a particular study will improve the truth in the data. Vaccine or drug-associated adverse events, when cross-verified by a third party who is neutral, will automatically regulate the data entry.
Solution 8: Test individual vaccine ingredients for safety,
Solution 9: Label Aluminium content in vaccines – include a warning - I agree and also disagree on this. The solution offered by the author is very difficult to implement. A simpler solution is to use the time-tested vaccine adjuvants and use newer adjuvants only after extensive research. Now, why does Pharma use new ingredients? It is to improve the shelf life, lower the transport requirements, or increase the immunogenicity of the vaccine. This needs good financial and infrastructure planning. Discussing this further will be so confusing for a non-medical person. So, I will stop here. As for the use of Aluminum in vaccines. Even food and water have Aluminum . If a child is healthy, then it will be metabolized. The argument of the author is less convincing for me. But an expert in Clinical biochemistry should explore the doubt.
Solution 10: Remove vaccine manufacturers' liability protection. This law was originally formed so that pharmaceutical companies could research new drugs without fear of legal litigation. However, during the early phase, drugs and vaccines were tested adequately before clinical use. Most safe vaccines have a 1 in a million serious adverse event. I am not sure how the law can handle this.
Solution 11: Declare vaccine risk in advertising : Not sure if this will help. A lay person may not be able to interpret the risk. It is the doctor who should assess and decide if the person will benefit from the vaccine. Furthermore vaccine risk varies between ages. For instance, the mRNA vaccine for COVID caused cardiac inflammation in the young, but not the elderly. This was identified only in post-marketing. So, vaccine risk should be studied well before the widespread implementation. Again, the regulators should give their best to assess risk without bias.
Solution 12: Legally treat vaccines as drugs: It should be the case even in US. In India drugs, vaccines and devices come under a single umbrella
Solution 13: After Antibiotic therapy delay vaccine: True for vaccines against bacteria. Not sure if it holds good for viruses
Solution 14: Ban Consumer drug and vaccine advertising: Agree
Solution 15: Disallow mandate of vaccine unproven for safety or effectiveness: Vaccine mandates is a very wrong practice except when it can harm the society in a big way. I have already said for COVID that if a person does not get vaccinated then they may only harm themselves and not others since it lowers the illness severity and does not prevent transmission. But if a vaccine prevents infection itself like the polio vaccine then it has community benefits.
Solution 16: Eliminate consumer penalties for non-vaccination: Agree. I would quote the example of Djokovic who was banned from Australian open when he refused vaccination. Ideally he should have been allowed to play if the day’s COVID test was negative . Many sports like cricket followed this test to allow playing method. Such mandates on vaccines which only lower the severity of illness not the illness acquisition should be condemned. Especially for vaccines whose safety is unknown either due to lack of data or conflicting data.
Before I conclude I appreciate the author having placed all the necessary references in the second half of the book.
Even though the tone of the author is quite strong, every one interested in public health should read this book even if they do not agree with the author. He has raised an important question of believing the medical science. Faith of the patient on the medical system is the cornerstone of a community health, and we should strive to keep it HEADS-UP
An if you in America, be happy that you can write such a book, which is a big risk in some countries and even a thought impossible in many.
Louis Pasteur Condemns Big Pharma: Vaccines, Drugs, and Healthcare in the United States
November 10, 2024
A Migrant Worker's Story-Free Read
Long Road Home is the third story in my COVID series, recounting the journey of Kamal, a migrant worker who cycled over 1,700 kilometres from Chennai back to his village in Jharkhand. I wanted to share this with you because it’s a story that many of us witnessed in some form – and one that left a profound impact on me.
Between March and June of 2020, most of you reading this were likely staying home or moving cautiously for work. It was a time when health infrastructure was scrambling to prepare for an expected surge in cases, knowing that we were working against an uncertain clock until lockdown restrictions would lift. Our focus was on controlling the spread of the virus and, above all, minimizing deaths. In those efforts, we largely succeeded in preventing mass casualties within hospitals.
But in doing so, we unintentionally overlooked the struggles of those who had come to our cities to support us. These were individuals working for minimal pay, often living in conditions that suited our convenience more than theirs. Perhaps we saved financially – but at what cost to them?
I’m talking about migrant labourers and their families.
When the lockdown took effect and industries shut down overnight, millions of migrant workers suddenly found themselves without jobs. Employers, caught up in their own struggles and problems, often overlooked the welfare of their workforce. Makeshift camps were set up for stranded workers, but these were poorly equipped, offering only a few days’ worth of food and supplies. With rail and road services suspended, these workers were left stranded, with no means of returning home.
The emotional toll was equally profound. The constant thought, fear of contracting the virus, and daily exposure to widespread suffering left deep psychological scars. Children, too young to grasp the full scope of the crisis, experienced trauma that could have lasting effects on their mental health. The lack of access to education and secure environments only worsened their vulnerability, leaving an entire generation in a precarious state.
Many of us may have forgotten the staggering reality that, between March and June of 2020, over 10.6 million (1.06 crore) migrants undertook journeys on foot, crossing hundreds of kilometres under the blistering sun by day and freezing air by night. These numbers aren't just estimates; they’re official figures from the Ministry of Labour and Employment of India. Despite efforts by government bodies to provide food, water, and shelter, it’s impossible for most of us to truly imagine what it was like to endure such hardship.
The reality for these individuals was defined by pain and blood. Recalling such an experience is bound to stir deep, heavy emotions, perhaps even leave lasting marks on those who read about it. I didn’t set out to evoke distress in my readers, as I understand that many of us prefer to leave those memories behind, lacking the resolve to revisit such painful chapters.
During this time, I encountered something remarkable—not just a story, but a real, unforgettable event—one that I was fortunate to play a small part in. When I met Kamal, despite the vast distance separating him from his hometown, remained calm and unaware of the huge challenges that lay ahead as he prepared to journey back to his pregnant wife. I, however, couldn’t help but worry about what the coming months held for him.
The idea of suggesting he cycle to his village haunted me; it was a risky option but far safer than attempting the journey on foot. I was plagued by doubts until I finally heard news of his journey’s end.
In Kamal, I witnessed a resilience and determination I hadn’t seen in any of my educated or financially stable colleagues or family members. His actions spoke volumes—he demonstrated that life’s battles must be fought with untiring resolve, the kind he possessed in abundance. Kamal’s journey sent a powerful message, one that reminds us of the strength that lies within us all.
Long Road Home is, at its heart, that message.
COVID Stories from India: Long Road Home
Between March and June of 2020, most of you reading this were likely staying home or moving cautiously for work. It was a time when health infrastructure was scrambling to prepare for an expected surge in cases, knowing that we were working against an uncertain clock until lockdown restrictions would lift. Our focus was on controlling the spread of the virus and, above all, minimizing deaths. In those efforts, we largely succeeded in preventing mass casualties within hospitals.
But in doing so, we unintentionally overlooked the struggles of those who had come to our cities to support us. These were individuals working for minimal pay, often living in conditions that suited our convenience more than theirs. Perhaps we saved financially – but at what cost to them?
I’m talking about migrant labourers and their families.
When the lockdown took effect and industries shut down overnight, millions of migrant workers suddenly found themselves without jobs. Employers, caught up in their own struggles and problems, often overlooked the welfare of their workforce. Makeshift camps were set up for stranded workers, but these were poorly equipped, offering only a few days’ worth of food and supplies. With rail and road services suspended, these workers were left stranded, with no means of returning home.
The emotional toll was equally profound. The constant thought, fear of contracting the virus, and daily exposure to widespread suffering left deep psychological scars. Children, too young to grasp the full scope of the crisis, experienced trauma that could have lasting effects on their mental health. The lack of access to education and secure environments only worsened their vulnerability, leaving an entire generation in a precarious state.
Many of us may have forgotten the staggering reality that, between March and June of 2020, over 10.6 million (1.06 crore) migrants undertook journeys on foot, crossing hundreds of kilometres under the blistering sun by day and freezing air by night. These numbers aren't just estimates; they’re official figures from the Ministry of Labour and Employment of India. Despite efforts by government bodies to provide food, water, and shelter, it’s impossible for most of us to truly imagine what it was like to endure such hardship.
The reality for these individuals was defined by pain and blood. Recalling such an experience is bound to stir deep, heavy emotions, perhaps even leave lasting marks on those who read about it. I didn’t set out to evoke distress in my readers, as I understand that many of us prefer to leave those memories behind, lacking the resolve to revisit such painful chapters.
During this time, I encountered something remarkable—not just a story, but a real, unforgettable event—one that I was fortunate to play a small part in. When I met Kamal, despite the vast distance separating him from his hometown, remained calm and unaware of the huge challenges that lay ahead as he prepared to journey back to his pregnant wife. I, however, couldn’t help but worry about what the coming months held for him.
The idea of suggesting he cycle to his village haunted me; it was a risky option but far safer than attempting the journey on foot. I was plagued by doubts until I finally heard news of his journey’s end.
In Kamal, I witnessed a resilience and determination I hadn’t seen in any of my educated or financially stable colleagues or family members. His actions spoke volumes—he demonstrated that life’s battles must be fought with untiring resolve, the kind he possessed in abundance. Kamal’s journey sent a powerful message, one that reminds us of the strength that lies within us all.
Long Road Home is, at its heart, that message.
COVID Stories from India: Long Road Home
August 18, 2024
The Authors Blog on "The Abandoned Cook": A Glimpse into Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees, but amidst the chaos and uncertainty, stories of resilience, hope, and survival emerged. "The Abandoned Cook," my first short story in the e-book series "COVID Stories from India" , is a poignant tale that captures the indomitable human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Set against the backdrop of the early days of the pandemic, this narrative follows the journey of Anbu, a young man from a rural village who dreams of becoming a chef in the busy city of Chennai. However, the onset of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown turn his aspirations into a struggle for survival. The story, while deeply personal to Anbu, resonates with the experiences of countless individuals who found their lives abruptly upended by the pandemic.
A Journey of Resilience
Anbu’s story begins with his departure from his village in Theni, where he was known for his culinary skills, particularly his dosas and parottas. He arrives in Chennai with high hopes, but the reality of the city is far from what he imagined. Despite his best efforts, Anbu struggles to find a job as a chef, eventually taking on a position at a street-side food stall. His days are long and laborious, but he remains undeterred, finding solace in his work and the companionship of Ponni, a loyal and intelligent stray dog he befriends.
As the pandemic takes hold, Anbu’s situation becomes increasingly dire. The sudden lockdown forces the closure of food outlets, leaving him jobless and on the brink of despair. Yet, it is in this moment of crisis that Anbu’s resilience shines through. Determined to survive, he devises a plan to secure food and shelter, even if it means taking desperate measures.
The Power of Ingenuity
One of the most compelling aspects of "The Abandoned Cook" is Anbu’s ingenuity in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. When the lockdown leaves him with no means of support, Anbu decides to remain in the city rather than return to his village, where farming had failed him. His decision is driven by a sense of responsibility to his family and an unyielding desire to carve out a better future for himself.
The story takes a surprising turn when Anbu contemplates the idea of intentionally contracting COVID-19 to secure a place in a hospital, where he would be assured of food and care. This ethical dilemma highlights the extreme measures some people considered during the pandemic as they struggled to meet their basic needs. Anbu’s actions, while controversial, underscore the harsh realities faced by many during this unprecedented time.
The Role of Community and Kindness
Despite the challenges he faces, Anbu’s journey is also marked by acts of kindness and the importance of community. His bond with Ponni provides him with much-needed emotional support, and their relationship is a testament to the deep connection between humans and animals, even in the most trying circumstances.
The hospital staff play a crucial role in Anbu’s story. Their dedication and compassion reflect the tireless efforts of healthcare workers around the world who were on the frontlines of the pandemic. Anbu’s eventual role in the hospital kitchen, where he uses his culinary skills to bring comfort to other patients, illustrates the theme of giving back to the community, even in the smallest of ways.
A Symbol of Hope
"The Abandoned Cook" is a narrative of hope and the potential for recovery. Anbu’s journey from a struggling cook to a lead chef at a prestigious catering service symbolizes the resilience and adaptability that became the hallmark of so many individuals during the pandemic. His success, achieved through perseverance and skill, resonates with the broader experience of people who overcame the challenges posed by COVID-19.
COVID Stories from India: The Abandoned Cook, available for free read in Kindle Unlimited . https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DB5JNMNR
Set against the backdrop of the early days of the pandemic, this narrative follows the journey of Anbu, a young man from a rural village who dreams of becoming a chef in the busy city of Chennai. However, the onset of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown turn his aspirations into a struggle for survival. The story, while deeply personal to Anbu, resonates with the experiences of countless individuals who found their lives abruptly upended by the pandemic.
A Journey of Resilience
Anbu’s story begins with his departure from his village in Theni, where he was known for his culinary skills, particularly his dosas and parottas. He arrives in Chennai with high hopes, but the reality of the city is far from what he imagined. Despite his best efforts, Anbu struggles to find a job as a chef, eventually taking on a position at a street-side food stall. His days are long and laborious, but he remains undeterred, finding solace in his work and the companionship of Ponni, a loyal and intelligent stray dog he befriends.
As the pandemic takes hold, Anbu’s situation becomes increasingly dire. The sudden lockdown forces the closure of food outlets, leaving him jobless and on the brink of despair. Yet, it is in this moment of crisis that Anbu’s resilience shines through. Determined to survive, he devises a plan to secure food and shelter, even if it means taking desperate measures.
The Power of Ingenuity
One of the most compelling aspects of "The Abandoned Cook" is Anbu’s ingenuity in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. When the lockdown leaves him with no means of support, Anbu decides to remain in the city rather than return to his village, where farming had failed him. His decision is driven by a sense of responsibility to his family and an unyielding desire to carve out a better future for himself.
The story takes a surprising turn when Anbu contemplates the idea of intentionally contracting COVID-19 to secure a place in a hospital, where he would be assured of food and care. This ethical dilemma highlights the extreme measures some people considered during the pandemic as they struggled to meet their basic needs. Anbu’s actions, while controversial, underscore the harsh realities faced by many during this unprecedented time.
The Role of Community and Kindness
Despite the challenges he faces, Anbu’s journey is also marked by acts of kindness and the importance of community. His bond with Ponni provides him with much-needed emotional support, and their relationship is a testament to the deep connection between humans and animals, even in the most trying circumstances.
The hospital staff play a crucial role in Anbu’s story. Their dedication and compassion reflect the tireless efforts of healthcare workers around the world who were on the frontlines of the pandemic. Anbu’s eventual role in the hospital kitchen, where he uses his culinary skills to bring comfort to other patients, illustrates the theme of giving back to the community, even in the smallest of ways.
A Symbol of Hope
"The Abandoned Cook" is a narrative of hope and the potential for recovery. Anbu’s journey from a struggling cook to a lead chef at a prestigious catering service symbolizes the resilience and adaptability that became the hallmark of so many individuals during the pandemic. His success, achieved through perseverance and skill, resonates with the broader experience of people who overcame the challenges posed by COVID-19.
COVID Stories from India: The Abandoned Cook, available for free read in Kindle Unlimited . https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DB5JNMNR
