Using Ramayana Reference, Brazil President Seeks Help From India To Combat COVID-19

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro had a conversation on the phone over the COVID-19 pandemic, Bolsonaro has sent a letter to Modi seeking India’s help over supplies of the Hydroxychloroquine, which is called the game-changer drug in the fight against the coronavirus by a section of experts. In the letter, he used a reference to one of the oldest epics of India - Ramayana to compare India’s medicine supply to Brazil.

“Just as Lord Hanuman brought the holy medicine from the Himalayas to save the life of Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana, and Jesus healed those who were sick and restored the sight to Bartimeau, India and Brazil will overcome this global crisis by joining forces and sharing blessings for the sake of peoples,”

This letter comes days after the two held a thorough discussion on how Brazil and India could join forces against the coronavirus pandemic. In the discussion, Bolsonaro also made a request for hydroxychloroquine, which India produces in a large quantity. For now, more than 30 countries have sent requests to India for the drug.

"Requested support in the continuity of the provision of pharmaceuticals for the production of hydroxychloroquine,” Brazil President said one of his tweets in Portuguese. 

A Government of India press release said, "The Prime Minister assured all possible support to Brazil President in this difficult hour. They agreed that their officials would remain in regular touch with respect to the COVID-19 situation and its emerging challenges."

India has just announced to partially lift the ban on exporting anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, allowing the supply to the US and some other countries that are heavily hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Government officials said that India would allow export of hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol to countries that have already ordered the drugs. However, that will be on a case-by-case basis and only after meeting the domestic requirements.

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