From resilience to optimism

The year 2021 shall be written in bold in history because it witnessed the human spirit roaringly strive through a pandemic that has been gripping humanity for almost two years. More so for our nation that had to undergo a particularly cruel second wave through April and May 2021.

If the stock markets are any indicator of human resilience, the sharp fall in national indices in the first quarter of 2020 coinciding with the first wave of the pandemic and the consequent lockdowns, followed by an unwavering comeback despite a more severe second wave in 2021, speaks volumes. India Inc more than doubled its wealth through this aberration. However, it will be unfair to base our conclusion only on the stock market trend because it is equally true that the pandemic has been ruthless in as much as it caused widespread loss to human life, health, and employment, and most importantly to the wellbeing of the society at large. Many elderly citizens living by themselves walked into depression due to the inability of the family members, friends and relatives to meet as frequently as in the past. In the fear of being exposed to the dreaded infection, several people deferred visits to the doctor and consequently faced otherwise avoidable health issues. College-goers missed the wonderful years of college life in which a lifetime of memories and relationships are created. Teenagers missed out on the high school life with friends, and the toddlers wouldn't ever know what pre-nursery looks like. These are bound to leave an everlasting imprint on personality development, and psychological and physiological wellbeing in general.

Nonetheless, people learned to live with the new world order. We learned to wear masks and started being more mindful of distancing and hygiene in social gatherings. We embraced work from home, online schooling, and virtual conferences. Even doctors started to increasingly engage in online consultations. Never did we imagine that classical dance lessons could ever be imparted over the internet! The aircrafts are full, and the hotels are thriving again. Home delivery of restaurant cuisine and online shopping services have rocketed to an all-time high. The entertainment industry too conveniently shifted its marketplace from theatres to the 24X7 direct-to-home streaming channels. Usage of digital payments increased by leaps and bounds.

It is probably these unique adaptation skills that have helped humans stand the test of evolution through the ages. Come what may, creativity and innovation have helped our species circumnavigate adversity, and the human spirit resurrects itself every time without fail. Advancements in technology and medical science helped mankind deal better with the ongoing pandemic. Had this pandemic hit us 10-15 years ago, the picture would have been quite different. Had it not been for the contemporary connectivity and computing technology, the new digital normal would not have been possible. Had it not been for advanced research in biotechnology and pharmacology, the world would not have had vaccines rolled out so quickly. But, at the root of it all lies the perpetual spirit of human resilience.

Perhaps, it was the very same creativity and survival spirit that helped Lachit Barphukan and his army prevent the Mughals from conquering Assam despite Lachit's army being no match to that of the Mughals in number. It must have been the same triumphant spirit that helped the marginalised Jews bounce back after the holocaust, the Europeans rebuild a ravaged Europe, and the Japanese resurrect a devastated Japan into successful polities and economies after the War. It was probably the same spark that helped Mahatma Gandhi and India's freedom fighters uproot hundreds of years of British tyranny from Indian soil and establish the world's largest democracy. Whether natural disasters or man-made massacres, great depressions or economic meltdowns, mankind has always found its way out.

We must not dismiss the year 2021 as one that brought us misery but celebrate it as one that rekindled our hope and helped us rediscover our triumphant spirit. It came with unprecedented challenges, but on the flip side, presented unparalleled opportunities for mankind to unleash its creativity to establish a new world order. Over 57 per cent of the world population has received at least one dose of a vaccine. India has been able to vaccinate 60 per cent of its population with 40 per cent fully vaccinated. For a nation with a population of 138 crores, this is by far a major feat. All in all, mankind has yet again proven itself throughout this tough year.

The pandemic is far from over and new variants of the virus are giving rise to disturbing trends globally. But if 2021 armoured us with one weapon, it was the reinforcement of our triumphant spirit and it is with this promise of triumph that we must embrace 2022. 


(Bedanta.choudhury@gmail.com)