The world has changed in the last week, in its thoughts, priorities and actions. The illegal migrations have abruptly ended, there is no news relating to the mortalities in Syria or Palestine, people aren’t worried about prices of petrol or diesel. No one seems to bother about the tantrums of the cine stars or the model of car to be bought next.
The world is running, running for its life, running away from imminent death, scared from an enemy, unseen and unfelt like the powerful alien in the Hollywood movie ‘Terminator.’ Coronavirus or COVID 19 has changed the perspectives of life and mind for all. Everyone is trying to contain the damage and the deaths, countries like Italy and Spain suffering badly, their scars to last for many decades to come.
Protests against governments, in many countries, have all ceased, the protestors scouting into the safety of their homes. Cities and villages remind eerie ghost towns from the pages of Stephen King’s novels. The Chinese government’s directive banning the use of face masks just the other week in Hong Kong has died a silent death, the world grabbing masks and sanitizers. Swatchh Bharat is voluntarily embraced for personal safety and hygiene by one and all.
The world defence sector might sit back to redraw plans to make toys and tin containers, as had happened to the Soviet satellite countries, post their breakup. The future wars will be painful, with viruses unleashed, with no vaccines or antidotes available to thwart agonizing swift deaths, with the victors taking over all enemy assets intact.
I foresee the death of Malls and cineplexes as people will feel more comfortable spending less time indoors. Travel abroad has become complicated and stressful, and money on trips abroad might find a way into virtual 3D travels and video-conferences. Only those restaurants, which display a top hygiene will survive, their kitchens open to scrutiny by the clients. This will not change the roadside eateries, which too will see a sea-change in their cleanliness and purity.
Kirana stores have become the saviour of Indians, who cannot reach out to big stores. They will continue to surge and improve, with support and funds from MNCs who will look for newer collaborators.
A slew of economic measures was announced yesterday by the Finance Minister of India, followed by relaxation of banking norms by the RBI governor today. Lending has been made simpler and borrowing easier. Whether the manufacturing sector, the backbone of the economy will be healthy enough to borrow is a difficult question right at this moment.
I missed out the religion part, of which intrinsically is intertwined with the world. Faith will be directly proportional to the swings of COVID, the god-fearing countries shifting away from religions and God, and atheist countries looking for new saviours in the form of their gods.
The next two-three weeks will be of great importance to humanity, the faith it professes, the quickness of the leadership in tackling this and future such threats.
Once again, I bow to the millions in the frontline, serving humanity under severe threat of infection and death. This too, will pass!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
