From the Desk of the Managing Editor 05 Prof. (Dr.), Deependra Kumar Jha

The Nation Is Safe in Your Hands & 06 Sachin Tendulkar

Education Education to Evolve after Covid-19 content 08 Pandemic Dr. Águeda Benito Learning in Covid-19 Times and Beyond: 12 Turning a Crisis into an Opportunity B Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury Ecology Is Coronavirus an Old US Bio-Weapon? 18 Subir Bhaumik

Covid-19 and Lockdown: Its Impact on 24 the Environment Jeremy Wilks Health Role of Bioinformatics in the 28 Development of Covid-19 Vaccine Dr. Rudra Prasad Saha

Right to Health and Covid-19 32 Dr. Jyotsna Yagnik Economy and Commerce Whither Aviation in a Post Covid World 37 Prof. (Dr.) Ugur Guven

Marketing and Business Trends Post 42 Covid for India: A Brief Analysis Dr. Subrata Chattopadhyay Bubble Valuation of Startups Will be 47 History in the Post Corona World Cyrus Dastur The Stock Market Chronology of 50 Covid-19 and Beyond Sabyasachi Mondal Changes in Consumer Behaviour that Are 55 Here to Stay Arijit Banerjee “Stay-Home Economy”: A New Reality in 60 Post Covid World Prof. Mrityunjoy Chatterjee

3 People Why Are They Here Is the New Norm, 65 Not WFH Shantanu Guha Ray Perfect Work-From-Home Solutions for 69 Organizational Heads in the Post Covid

content World Kinshuk Adhikary Covid-19: A Social Challenge than a 74 Pandemic in India Dipanjan Bhattacharya World Issues The Long and the Short of the World 80 Post-Covid-19: A View Dr. Manas Paul Britain and Coronavirus – The Bad, Ugly 85 and Good Jeff Watkins Creative World Global Cinema and Pandemics: Past 90 Portrayals and Future Possibilities Dr. Sunayan Bhattacharjee

Creative Bloom amid Covid-19 Gloom 95 S Manna

100 Adamas University Round Up

From the Desk of the Executive Editor 105 Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury

Patron: Prof. Samit Ray, Chancellor, Adamas University and Chairman, RICE Education Managing Editor: Prof. (Dr.) Deependra Kumar Jha, Vice Chancellor Executive Editor: Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of School of Media, Communication & Fashion Chief Sub-Editor: Dr. Sunayan Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor, School of Media, Communication & Fashion Editorial Board Members: Prof. Mrityunjoy Chatterjee, CEO and Professor, Chancellor’s Cell Prof. (Dr.) Anish Deb, Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology Sabyasachi Mondal, Assistant Professor, School of Management Editorial Assistant: Subhajit Chakraborty Design Consultancy: Sameer Aasht Design and Page-setting: Kunal Samaddar Coverpage Design: Somnath Roy

4 From the Desk of the Managing Editor

Dear Readers, At Adamas University, our priority remains s the norm dictates (as years of to aid the learning of our students to the experience collect dust beneath best of our abilities in addition to Amy feet), I welcome you to the first continuous commitment to impact the issue of #ideaPlus, a quarterly magazine society positively. We have always at Adamas University. There are certain believed in holistic development – the emotions struggling at the tip of my idea that education extends way beyond tongue (Gratitude? Honour? Pride? finite walls and books (#educationPlus, Anxiety?) and in true, dull human fashion, we call it), and amidst this crisis, we’re at I will resort to a simple, heartfelt thank you. a unique position. In spite of technical I am positive on the heel of its origin, challenges, we have managed to #ideaPlus might not have been about a successfully shift to online mode of virus. As a proud academician, I would learning, and I am reminded, once again, hope to talk about intellectual values, how adaptable humans are and how industry insights and the future awe-inspiring our dedication has (and how certain it once been. seemed). In times of peril, we must invoke But Coronavirus is a new reality – empathy, we must be human, life in times of death. and hence, #ideaPlus is an A world moving at a dizzy pace endeavour to bring together will not be brought on its knees people from around the globe to by missiles, but microbes, it discuss both the consequences of seems. We’ve brewed in these this pandemic as we battle it and circumstances long enough to the trends so that our stakeholders be a little more – students, parents, industry and accommodating, a little more society at large are benefitted. accepting. I will not overlook the distress it As time moves on, I am sure the memory has caused (that would be too cruel, too of this tragedy will be folded and tucked harsh, and too ignorant). And yet, outside away neatly under a pile of more urgent my window are leaves; spring in the concerns. As time moves on, I am sure this empty Kolkata continues unabated. The memory will persevere as one of human flowers don’t care that no one is there to resilience, a catalyst for change (albeit a witness them bloom. The streets continue little hasty). As time moves on, I am sure to be empty except for the occasional we will overcome this uncertainty, rise police vans. The stores are all closed once again from the ashes (not without except a few small grocery stores and scars). pharmacies. With cautious optimism, I pray this ends Life is both terrifying and oddly mundane. soon. As human beings, we fall into the dull I hope you are safe and sound, ache of familiarity, routine and patterns; surrounded by love. and I never quite considered how hardwired we were until the national Prof. (Dr.) Deependra Kumar Jha, lockdown was announced. I have been Vice Chancellor, Adamas University so reliant on my work to provide a sense Former Vice Chancellor, UPES, Dehradun of direction, that my days felt hollow. and GD Goenka University, Gurugram

5 The Nation Is Safe in Your Hands

Indian cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar talks about the Covid-19 crisis and how one should cope with it.

month ago, I was back on the cricket field. I was representing India as part of the Road ASafety World Series (RSWS). Giving back to the society in any form is something I consider as my responsibility, and therefore when the opportunity arose to raise awareness about road safety, I readily agreed. Cricket has been my life, and the month of March was turning out to be very exciting for me. There was the chance to don the national jersey and play for India in the RSWS, and the IPL was to happen in a couple of weeks too. IPL gives me a chance to interact with youngsters and share my learnings to help them realize their true potential and I find it very fulfilling. But suddenly, both the RSWS and IPL got cancelled. News about Covid-19 spreading closer home was starting to trickle in. While everyone’s life has been disrupted, I feel this

6 was the right decision to take. Now, it has the young minds. I hope it helped them been more than a month since India has understand sports injuries better. There are been in a lockdown. All of us are slowly valuable lessons for all of us to be learnt beginning to accept the restrictions here. This phase has given all of us an around us. While following social opportunity to pause and reflect and we distancing norms and lockdown should all use this time to invest in our instructions are necessary for us to flatten personal and professional development. the curve and win over this pandemic, This is the ideal time to be planning. If we we must also take care of our physical are all able to structure what we want to and mental well-being. Walks inside your be doing in our heads, we will be able to houses and simple exercises are things execute faster once the lockdown is lifted one should do to keep oneself physically and life returns to normalcy. An adversity engaged. Staying locked up in our is an opportunity for us to be able to homes, with our mobility restricted, is not bounce back stronger and better. I have something most of us are used to. This can also been reading about how nature has also have adverse been using this lockdown time effects on our mental to heal itself as well. The air health. Being mentally around us has been engaged – talking to cleaner, and several family and friends, Following animals and birds seem to playing indoor games social distancing have found their habitats etc. are aspects which norms and lockdown again. I hope we identify can ensure we stay instructions are and reduce some of our mentally fresh. It is also actions that have led to our responsibility to necessary for us to unsustainable ensure that the elders in flatten the curve and environments. We have our homes – the most win over this only one Earth and it is our vulnerable, are taken responsibility to take care care of. They would pandemic. of it and pass it on to our probably be as stressed future generations. Finally, as we are during these I would like to say a times and we should do message to the young everything we can to regularly graduates who have just passed out this communicate and engage with them year or are going to graduate next year. and help them stay calm. While the The economy may look challenging and lockdown has prevented most of us from jobs difficult to find. But don’t give up. being able to carry on our everyday Acceptability is the key to adaptability. professional chores, there are people Along with challenges, there would be using this to be able to prepare for a plenty of newer opportunities emerging in better tomorrow. I learnt about young this new environment and it would be doctors who were using webinars to important to have a positive mindset to connect to other senior doctors and proactively identify and embrace these enhance their knowledge. I owe it to opportunities. By constantly upskilling Doctors for being able to have a lengthy yourself, you will be in a position to reap career. They took care of me during all the benefits at the opportune time. I am my injuries. I saw this as a chance to confident that the nation is safe in your reciprocate for what they’ve done for hands and you will be able to put the me. I shared stories about my injuries to world back on its growth trajectory.

7 & Education

Education to Evolve after Covid-19 Pandemic

In conversation with academic leaders of the regional schools, Prof. (Dr.) Deependra located in six countries, focusing on the quality of the students’ learning Kumar Jha, internationally experience and their employability, as renowned educationist well as faculty development, innovation Dr. Águeda Benito spoke in and the enhancement of the institutional detail about the impact of reputation. Here are the excerpts: the Covid-19 pandemic on 1. Almost half of the world is in a the future of education. lockdown state. How are you keeping yourself busy and motivated during these tiring times? I was born and now live in Spain, one of r. Benito is a recognized academic the countries where the Covid-19 crisis has leader, providing her services to hit the hardest. From a personal Dorganizations like Cintana perspective, this situation has triggered all Education, where she now serves as the sorts of feelings in me. First of all, it is Chief Academic Officer. Until March 2019, extremely sad to see so many people she served as the Chief Academic Officer around, who have lost friends and family for Laureate EMEAA. In her role, she members. It also saddens me to see provided guidance and support to the people who have lost their jobs and are

8 struggling to bring food to the table. and now I have a stronger sense of love Sometimes I wonder how we let this for them. I hope this crisis ends soon. happen, and feel anger, and then I think However, I will do my best to keep some about all the things that humanity would of the good things that have emerged. need to do to avoid a similar crisis in the future, and cannot help alternating 2. What three long term impacts of Covid- opposite feelings of distress and hope. But 19 pandemic on school and higher at the same time, I feel gratitude for so education do you see ahead? many professionals who risk their health I am not sure about the long term, but I and life every day to look after the rest of believe that in the midterm, the less the population, also for the universities developed countries will suffer not only that overnight changed the way they from not having been able to provide were doing things to allow their students education to its youth for a few months, to continue to learn and grow. I feel but from an economic crisis that will fortunate to have a job that I can do continue to affect some of the key online, at least during a period of time, conditions for an effective education and I really feel some of us are privileged system to be re-installed. Additionally, I to have access to technology, to be see some more strict regulations connected to our loved ones, to be regarding the facilities of the campuses, informed, to be entertained and to and more thorough safety and health continue to enjoy many beautiful aspects related protocols all over the world. With of life. I am closer to my close family too, greater clarity, I see a new historical period starting in education, where technology will be one of the main protagonists.

3. What new forms with digital, online and distance learning take in times to come? I think education will become hybrid. In particular in Higher Education, I think the Covid-19 crisis has taken us to a point of no return, where many students have discovered a more flexible and effective way of learning. The amount of educational innovations had increased significantly during the last couple of decades, but only a few weeks ago, we still found too traditional educational approaches in too many institutions. I hope all of us have finally realized how useless it can be for students to be sitting in a lecture room for hours, and how unrealistic it is to think that they will attentively listen to their instructors and learn. Students have now realised that they can watch their professors on video, read papers, take quizzes, work on assignments, and collaborate with other

9 engage with world-wide companies and open doors to global learning experiences and career opportunities.

5. Do you foresee the rise of freelance professors across globe in the new possible gig economy of higher education? That might be the case in continuing education, but I am not completely sure about that in formal Higher Education, which is highly regulated and does not advance as quickly as other more innovative sectors. The fact that online education has not been adopted more effectively in the past is due in part to the limitations that regulators, being afraid of the known, have established. I believe that after Covid-19, society will embrace students without having to be physically online and hybrid education, and on campus at a fixed time. They can even regulation will support it, but I believe that do some of their labs at home, and take faculty requirements, their credentials, exams with rigorous protocols that ensure appointments and promotion process, will honesty just as much as the face to face continue to be a very strict component of exams they used to take. the rules of the game. I do not see this as a short term professional movement, but I 4. Why and how will the internationalization process of education am sure we will continue to have part expand and how would Covid-19 time faculty members, who will be able to contribute to that? How will teach in more than one university internationalization now be different from regardless of the distance that separates the one happening for so long? them, and I think we will have more I believe that in the short term many faculty members teaching international people will not be confident about students online as part of the new traveling as they were. Many families will internationalization process in their prefer to send their children to the best institutions. local schools and refrain from sending them abroad, at least for now. I also think 6. Will education be restructured at the that the best local schools will be those higher level based on industry needs that bring internationality home, mainly more than ever before? Why or why not? though technology. It will be those that The dialogue between universities and partner with international universities to be the industry will need to continue, and able to enhance their offerings with online further avenues for collaboration will need courses, and even double degrees. Those to be found. Universities will have to better whose technology and academic understand the needs of the industry, and strategy will connect local students with engage them in the multiple tasks, like international students and with the best curriculum design, instruction delivery and global faculty members, those that student assessment. However, with the

10 online format, I consider that it will be can be much more effective, engaging easier for the industry to be more present and personalized thanks to technology, in Higher Education. I also think that there but we will have to embrace the future are already some other good news, like and manage change without fear. I the fact that many of the competencies believe that will be the major difference. I that employers are demanding today also believe that faculty members will be can be developed much more even more important now, since the effectively through a hybrid model, where change can only happen with their the contact hours are less, but more conviction and support. We will need to meaningful, and where students can take provide them with good development advantage of a much more active opportunities, make them part of a learning experience. The new context will learning community themselves, support be a much better environment for a them technically and pedagogically, and flipped classroom approach, where more recognise them. We will also practical, collaborative need to ensure the readiness and experiential of students in this new learnings take place, learning model, starting and where crucial With greater clarity, I see a new with their access to competences like technology and some critical thinking, historical period key skill like time communication, starting in management and teamwork, adaptation, autonomous work. computer literacy or education, where global mindset can be technology will be 8. How will the economics enhanced more one of the main effectively. of higher education protagonists. change ahead? 7. How will education I hope this situation management change in the proves that online/ hybrid post Covid world? education can be as good, if not better I think that the basic principles of Higher than purely face to face education. But in Education will continue to be the same: order to provide students with high quality universities will have to provide students online education, major investments in with the necessary conditions for them to technology, innovation and talent need learn and get ready for a successful to be made, which means that online career and a positive contribution as education cannot be expected to be citizens. Those conditions will still be much cheaper than face to face. We related to the curriculum, the learning may argue that a football stadium is no resources, the learning environment and longer something necessary, but so many the faculty members, and academic leaders will have to take care of each other expenses will be there. What will be element thoroughly. The difference will be important to consider is the return on that technology needs to play a investment, which must be as high as protagonist role in each of them, and that possible, so that graduates and society will need to be reflected in all the future can benefit from a new model that will investments and strategies. Education enhance future prosperity.

11 & Education

Learning in Covid-19 Times and Beyond: Turning a Crisis into an Opportunity

Seasoned educationist Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury talks about how the education sector will transform due to the advent of the Covid-19 crisis.

ore than 770 million students’ lives turned into a school and every parent is have been disrupted by Covid-19 now a teacher as Covid-19 impacts the Mand the consequent lockdowns education of 250 million school students in globally. The United Nations has warned India. of the unparalleled scale and speed of While much harm has been done by the the educational disruption being caused pandemic, institutions can use this crisis to by Coronavirus. Every house has been sharpen strategies and practices in areas

12 learning through classes, lectures, notes, self-study and discussions. (C) The assessment and evaluation of learners through various methods. All these three have been majorly impacted by the self-isolation rightly imposed to ensure social distancing.

Digital Haves and Have- Nots Dichotomy Covid-19 is, in fact, amplifying the struggles that children are already facing globally to receive quality education. Even before such as the outbreak of the virus, internationalisation and there were 258 million e-learning. India has over out-of-school children 37 million students across the globe – enrolled in higher principally due to educational institutions poverty, poor (HEIs). An interruption in governance, or living in the delivery of education or having fled an could cause long-term emergency or conflict. disruption. The While there are pandemic requires programmes dedicated universities to rapidly to end the existing crisis offer online learning to Covid-19 has in global education, introduced their students. Covid-19 has introduced newer Fortunately, technology newer challenges for and content are around 550 million challenges for available to help children, who were so far around 550 universities make a quick studying but do not have million children, transition to online access to digital learning who were so education. systems. Learning broadly has The digital divide in every far studying but three functions: developing society was do not have (A) The creation of never as glaring as it is access to learning content through now. Though more than research, writing and 70 per cent of Indian digital learning packaging with visuals. population has been systems. (B) The dissemination of covered now with

13 mobile telephony, the resources needed distance learning, Wikis, Blogs etc. for digital learning from a distance or at Individual resource-rich institutes develop home are not there with more than one their customized secured and IPR out of four students in the country. protected Learning Management Systems On the other hand, if there were no (LMS), through the use of BlackBoard or enforced social distancing, the transition TCSion. Other LMS options like Kaltura or of those with partial or full resources to Impartus that allow video recording are complete digital learning would not have also used. There are Coursera courses, been quickened. What demonetization Swayam online lessons from UGC and did to fin-tech, lockdown has done to similar other avenues to learn online. edu-tech. Learning digitally can be further assisted with Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Digital Learning Tools Today Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) which Digital learning calls for can take the viewer to an tech-led holistic enhanced experience. These solutions. It requires are immersive and several content pieces contextual experiences, to be transmitted Institutions can use and artificial intelligence digitally. These content this crisis to sharpen driven Chatbots can pieces can be in the further enhance the form of PDFs, PPTs, URLs, strategies and digital interface. YouTube links, podcast practices in areas links, case studies etc. such as Digital Learning Add-ons There can also be e- internationalisation and Social Media Value- books, audio books, adds kindle-based content, and e-learning. Incorporating big data Magzter-sourced analytics and content magazines, etc. Then this management, educators can involve learning without can develop an being face to face, as in individualized curriculum Google Class, or learning face to face as that enhances how each student learns in Zoom. People may also use (e.g. Playlist of content in Wisewire GoToMeeting or Microsoft Team sessions. changing for each student). Many in the Attendance can be taken on Google West have started using the Spreadsheet and WhatsApp Group. contemporary language and style like There are other tools that can take digital Khan Academy and YouTube. Twitter, learning ahead. Flipped Classroom Tumblr, Snapchat, iMessage, Instagram, method with an active learning classroom Facebook and WhatsApp are being can have all study resources given in creatively integrated with school advance, and the actual session starting education. There is a case of a with a quick quiz, then doubt clearance, management school in India, where the and thereafter a few issues of the future or professor sends a three-minute-long counter points. This methodology is interesting video on the subject he is internalized, collaborative, experiential, taking up next through group. bottom-up, as distinctly different from In the US, Smartphone applications like teaching, which is instructional, hierarchic Socrative and Plickers are helping and top-down. teachers interact and assess students’ Then there are MOOCs, collaborative progress. Teachers can publish real-time

14 Digital Assessment and Evaluation Online quizzes, open book examinations with time-managed and proctored question papers delivered online, applied questions and telephonic interviews etc have been the usual ways of digital assessment and evaluation. Assessment refers to learner performance. It helps us decide if students are learning and where improvement is needed. Evaluation refers to a systematic process of determining the merit or worth of the instruction or programme. It helps us determine if a course is effective (course goals). Assessments and evaluations can be both formative (carried out during the course) and summative (carried out following the course). There can be many quizzes and polls for students via mobile ways for the same. Mentors can make devices. learners aware of expectations in Further, using anything advance (e.g. one week for feedback from iMovie to WeVideo, learners can from deadline) and keep them posted create video as a learning resource. (announcements like ‘All projects have YouTube (with privacy settings) and been marked’). Mentors can consider Seesaw or Flipgrid can also be used. The auto-grading options offered by LMSs and benefits of Seesaw and Flipgrid are that Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs). For students can add voice recordings or text example, one can create tests that are sharing feedback with peers. Useful apps multiple choices, true/ false or short like Book Creator, Explain Everything answer essays and one can set the and Educreations can also be utilised. assessments to automatically provide Various software packages are used to feedback. create digital content like Camtasia, Mentors can also incorporate a peer Raptivity, Captivate, Articulate Online feedback process into their courses etc. through student assignments. They get an Social media will support learning online. initial level of feedback before submitting Facebook Pages can broadcast updates the assignment, prompt feedback and and alerts. Facebook Groups or Google mentors get a better assignment in the Hangout with advanced features in G- end. suite can stream live lectures and host One particular popular assessment discussions. Twitter can act as a class option for online and blended learning is message board. The 256 characters help rubrics. In part, their popularity is to keep messages succinct. Instagram based on the level of detail included. can be used for photo essays. One can Rubrics help to define the characteristics create a class blog for discussions. There of a high-quality assignment and are many different platforms available help the student understand assignment such as WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and assessment expectations. Rubrics and Blogger for that. Also, one can also provide a range of create a class-specific Pinterest board. performances by establishing categories

15 that span the range of possible outcomes, from basic to exceptional performance on task. If we are using an LMS/ VLE, there are additional opportunities to micro-evaluate. This type of evaluation can occur through polls, reflections on your analysis of online transcripts and student activity logs and reports. Notably, we can plan for such forms of evaluation during the course design process and embed them in the learning architecture.

Possibilities in Post Covid- 19 Education Hamish Coates, a professor at Tsinghua University’s Institute of benefits of virtual Education told Times instruction will come Higher Education, “The after our professors and first priority is for students return to their institutions to care for the physical classrooms. The people involved – necessity of teaching students, faculty and learning with members, staff and the asynchronous (Canvas, communities we serve. Blackboard, D2L) and This is a human situation.” synchronous (Zoom) Post this comes access platforms will yield to digital learning and significant benefits the rest. when these methods Online learning is the big One particular are layered into face-to- winner from this – across popular face instruction. Since all education levels; so assessment professors are now proving quality now is at moving content online, the centre stage. option for precious classroom time However, going ahead, online and will be more in the post Covid-19 blended productively utilized for times, blended learning discussion, debate will be the way to go. learning is and guided The biggest future rubrics. practice.

16 [Author’s Introduction: A leading media academic and an internationally acclaimed speaker and writer, Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury is currently the Pro Vice Chancellor and the Dean of the School of Media, Communication & Fashion at the Kolkata- based Adamas University. He has spearheaded some of the finest media institutes in the country and taken them to newer heights. Formerly the Dean of the School of Media at Pearl Academy and the Director of Ramoji Krian Universe (RKU), strategically located within the Ramoji Film Online education will City (RFC) in Hyderabad, also be a strategic Prof. Chowdhury has also priority in higher education going ahead. been a Dean at This post-pandemic Symbiosis International understanding will (Deemed University) in change how HEIs plan Pune and Amity for, manage and fund University in Mumbai. He online education. also acted as the Dean Previously decentralized of Whistling Woods and distributed online International in Mumbai. course development Earlier, Prof. Chowdhury and student support has been a Media functions will be Online Advisor with the Ministry centralized, subject to education will of Textiles, Government institutional planning and also be a of India and the World cross-campus Health Organization governance. strategic (WHO), India. Prof. Management of online priority in Chowdhury is widely learning will be higher believed to have integrated into existing introduced the concept academic leadership education of convergence in structures and processes. going ahead. media education.]

17 B Ecology Is Coronavirus an Old US Bio-Weapon?

Noted former BBC journalist, Columnist and Author Subir Bhaumik deliberates on the origin of the dreaded Covid-19 virus and associated conspiracy theories.

uch debate has raged over whether the Covid-19 is a lab-made Mvirus, a bio-weapon or a natural virus originating in bats or other exotic animals that the Chinese love on their table. Much research has been focused on the hypothesis that bats passed a virus to some intermediate host – perhaps pangolins, scaly ant-eating mammals – which subsequently passed it to humans. But the pangolin theory has not been conclusively proven. Some experts wonder whether a virus under study at a lab could have been accidentally released, something that’s happened in the past. Among the latest entrants to the debate about the provenance of SARS-CoV-2 are the authors of a March 17 Nature Medicine piece that takes a look at the virus’ characteristics – including the sites on the virus that allow it to bind to human cells. They looked at whether the virus was engineered by humans and present what

18 be tied to bioweapons activity, a conspiracy theory that’s been promoted or endorsed by the likes of US Senator Tom Cotton, Iran’s supreme leader, and others. But Ebright thinks that it is possible the Covid-19 pandemic started as an accidental release from a laboratory such as one of the two in Wuhan that are known to have been studying bat Coronaviruses. Except for SARS-CoV and appears to be convincing MERS-CoV, two deadly evidence it was not. They viruses that have caused also considered the outbreaks in the past, possibility that the Coronaviruses have been outbreak could have studied at laboratories resulted from an that are labelled as inadvertent lab release of operating at a moderate a virus under study but biosafety level known as concluded “we do not BSL-2, Ebright says. And, believe that any type of he says, bat Coronaviruses laboratory-based scenario have been studied at is plausible.” such labs in and around Not all experts agree. Wuhan in China, where the new Coronavirus first Was Covid-19 Purposefully emerged. “As a result,” Manipulated by Humans? Ebright says, “bat Professor Richard Ebright Coronaviruses at Wuhan of Rutgers University’s [Center for Disease Waksman Institute of Control] and Wuhan Microbiology does agree Institute of Virology with the Nature routinely were collected It is possible Medicine authors’ and studied at BSL-2, the Covid-19 argument that the new which provides only Coronavirus wasn’t minimal protections pandemic purposefully manipulated against infection of lab started as an by humans. Bio-security workers.” accidental expert Ebright helped The Scientists in Wuhan have release from a Washington Post debunk a collected and publicized claim that the Covid-19 a bat Coronavirus called laboratory. outbreak can somehow RaTG13, one that is 96 per

19 cent genetically similar to SARS-CoV-2. researchers and not to most troubled by The Nature Medicine authors are arguing Covid-19 pandemic. By 1969, US had “against the hypothesis that the developed six mass-produced, battle- published, lab-collected, lab-stored bat ready biological weapons in the form of Coronavirus RaTG13 could be a proximal agents that cause anthrax, tularemia, progenitor of the outbreak virus.” But, brucellosis, Q-fever, VEE and Botulism, Ebright says, the authors relied on each a deadly disease capable of assumptions about when the viral emerging into a pandemic. In ancestor of SARS-CoV-2 jumped to addition, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin humans; how fast it evolved before that; B was produced as an incapacitating how fast it evolved as it adapted to agent by the programme. humans; and the possibility that the virus may have mutated in cell cultures or Covid-19 Might Have Been Biologically experimental animals inside a lab. Developed as Early as the 1960s Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for One Indian-origin biologist, with long Global Health at the Council on Foreign experience of research in US’ top Relations, recently wrote an article biological labs, told this writer, that by for Foreign Affairs that is 1969, the US bio- dismissive of conspiracy weapons programme had theories about the origins conducted detailed of the pandemic but also Some experts research for mentions circumstantial weaponisation of at evidence that supports the wonder whether a least 20 more agents, possibility that a lab release virus under study at all deadly virus. was involved. That a lab could have He said on condition of evidence includes a anonymity, citing study “conducted by the been accidentally possible implications South China University of released, something on future Technology, [that] that’s happened in research funding, that concluded that the the past. the 20 bio-agents Coronavirus ‘probably’ developed by the originated in the Wuhan programme included Center for Disease Control and both Hantavirus and Prevention,” located just 280 Coronavirus. meters from the Hunan Seafood Market The other bio-agents developed by the often cited as the source of the original programme were Smallpox, EEE and WEE, outbreak. AHF, Lassa fever, Melioidosis, plague, “The paper was later removed from yellow fever, psittacosis, typhus, dengue ResearchGate, a commercial social- fever, Rift Valley fever (RVF), CHIKV, late networking site for scientists and blight of potato, rinderpest, Newcastle researchers to share papers,” Huang disease, bird flu, and the toxin ricin. wrote. “Thus far, no scientists have This, the Indian-origin biologist said, was confirmed or refuted the paper’s “no huge secret” and was fairly well findings.” known in the American biologists’ What no one has raised so far is the well community, especially scientists who had established fact that the Corona and the once worked in the country’s elaborate Hantavirus have been known to a small bio-weapons programme. community of American bio-weapon Even the Wikipedia’s entry on US

20 biological warfare A U.S. facility at Fort Terry programme attests to focused primarily on anti- this claim of the Indian The Corona and animal biological agents. origin biologist. The The first agent that was a Wikipedia cites in a the Hantavirus candidate for footnote to back its have been known development was foot and claim a work on to a small mouth Bioterrorism by well community of disease (FMD). Besides known UK biologist FMD, five other top-secret Nancy Khordari. American bio- biological weapons So, both the weapon esearchers. projects were Coronavirus and the commissioned on Plum Hantavirus are old Island. viruses developed by US The other four programmes bio-scientists in the 1960s researched included RVF, before President Richard Nixon put an rinderpest, African swine fever, plus end to the country’s bio-warfare eleven miscellaneous exotic animal programme. He had told those who had diseases. The eleven miscellaneous reservations that if any country dared to pathogens were Blue tongue virus, bovine inflict bio-terrorism on US, “we will nuke influenza, bovine virus those bastards”. diarrhea (BVD), fowl plague, goat Besides the numerous pathogens that pneumonitis, mycobacteria, “N” afflict human beings, the U.S. had virus, Newcastle disease, sheep pox, developed an arsenal of anti-agriculture Teschers disease, and vesicular stomatitis. biological agents. These included rye Work on delivery systems for the U.S. stem rust spores (stored at Edgewood bioweapons arsenal led to the first mass- Arsenal, 1951–1957), wheat stem produced biological weapon in 1952, rust spores (stored at the same facility the M33 cluster bomb. The M33’s 1962–1969), and the causative agent submunition, the pipe-bomb-like of rice blast. cylindrical M114 bomb, was also

21 experimental Flettner rotor bomblet was also developed during this time period. The Flettner rotor was called, “probably one of the better devices for disseminating microorganisms”, by William C. Patrick III. The Indian-origin scientist says that though the bio- weapons were supposed to be totally destroyed, small stocks of each of the agents developed were retained for ‘future research’. That included the Coronavirus and the completed and battle- Hantavirus, which have ready by 1952. Other surfaced in China during delivery systems the recent Coronavirus researched and at least pandemic. partially developed during the 1950s How Did the Virus Find Its included the E77 balloon Way to China? bomb and the E86 How the deadly virus cluster bomb. The peak found their way into of U.S. biological China is anybody’s guess weapons delivery system but the biologist was not development came willing to pander to The truth, a during the speculations that have 1960s. Production of acquired the dimensions casualty in cluster bomb of a psy-war between US such intense submunitions began to and China. From the exchange of shift from cylindrical to beginning of the Corona allegations and spherical bomblets, outbreak, online sources which had a larger advanced the claim that counter- coverage the virus was genetically allegations, is area. Development of engineered. An difficult to the spherical E120 unpublished paper bomblet took place in authored by some Indian establish as to the early 1960s as did scientists how the novel development of (https://www.biorxiv.org/ Coronavirus the M143 bomblet, content/10.1101/ emerged in similar to the 2020.01.30.927871v1) chemical M139 bolstered this notion by Wuhan. bomblet. The suggesting that the virus’

22 protein sequence included elements of expert suggested that the virus was HIV, that virus that causes AIDS. The Indian linked to China’s biowarfare program. Yet scientists soon voluntarily withdrew the SARS was by no means a genetic paper after some Chinese protests but weapon. According to the U.S. Centers the proposed linkage attracted websites for Disease Control and Prevention, of like Zero Hedge to make the claim that the 166 reported SARS patients in the the novel Coronavirus was weaponised United States in 2003, 58 percent were by Chinese scientists. Speaking on Fox white and 32 percent were Asian. News, Republican Senator Tom Cotton The truth, a casualty in such intense suggested that it could not be ruled out exchange of allegations and that the virus originated in a lab in Wuhan counter-allegations, is difficult to that is used to handle the most dangerous establish as to how the novel Coronavirus pathogens. emerged in Wuhan, whether it is a Zero Hedge has been barred from Twitter, modification or an advanced version of but Chinese social media abounds with the one the American bio-warfare conjectures that the virus was engineered programme had developed in the 1960s by the United States as and whether it was an agent of biological deliberately released. What warfare against China. is however certain is that One widely shared From the beginning the Coronavirus that has conspiracy plunged the world into a theory suggests that of the Corona huge crisis was first American soldiers outbreak, online developed by the US. participating in the 2019 sources advanced Military World Games in Wuhan deliberately the claim that the [Author’s Introduction: shed the virus at the virus was genetically Subir Bhaumik is a Hunan Seafood Market. engineered. veteran BBC journalist Contending that “a new and author. He headed type of biological BBC’s eastern bureau for warfare is coming,” a 17 years and before that retired People’s Liberation worked for PTI, Army general called for building a Anandabazar Group and Reuters. He is a permanent biodefense force in China. former Queen Elizabeth House Fellow at The current outbreak in China is not the Oxford University, Senior Fellow at East first to be a rumoured biological weapons West Centre (Washington) and a Eurasian attack. During the 2002–03 SARS Fellow at Frankfurt University. After epidemic, a Russian scientist claimed that retiring from BBC, Bhaumik worked as the virus was a mixture of measles and Senior Editor at Dhaka’s bdnews24.com mumps that could be made only in the and Yangon’s Mizzima News. Bhaumik lab. Many Chinese seized on this notion is author of well acclaimed books like and speculated that SARS was a genetic ‘Insurgent Crossfire’, ‘Troubled Periphery’ weapon developed by the United States and ‘Agartala Doctrine’. He has edited to target them alone. The official China two volumes ‘Bangladesh’s Chittagong Youth Daily linked a National Institutes of Hill Tracts’ and ‘Counter Gaze: Health–sponsored genetic study in China Media, Migrants and Minorities’. Bhaumik to the U.S. genetic warfare programme. In is a media trainer and a political risk the United States, meanwhile, a China analyst.]

23 B Ecology Covid-19 and Lockdown: Its Impact on the Environment

Internationally renowned he fear of scribe Jeremy Wilks Coronavirus forcing Tpeople indoors must discusses the impact of be good for the Covid-19 lockdown on the environment, or that is environment. the common presumption. With factories and vehicles off the streets, emission of deadly gases is expected to be down. Media reports have quoted old people saying that they have not seen such a clear sky in a long, long time. But, often realities are different from what meets the eye. We ask the experts for the facts, and set out the differences between short-term changes and long-term trends. In Europe in March, the average temperatures were almost two-degree Celsius above the 1981- 2010 average. The figures were much more extreme in parts of Ukraine and Russia. In Ukraine, some regions experienced temperatures up to 6 degrees higher than the average over the course

24 of the month, while in come to a virtual parts of Russia standstill, with the temperatures were up to majority of countries in 8 degrees higher than some kind of lockdown. average. Those same The fact is true for other areas were also drier continents too. than might have been Many assume that this is expected; soil moisture good for the and relative humidity are environment. But for those down for the time of Data from the Sentinel- who imagine year. 5P satellite shows that The month of March is a nitrogen dioxide (NO2) this pandemic good time to look at ice air pollution levels have will reverse in the Arctic, as it’s the plummeted across all climate change time when the sea ice continents since the cover is at its annual pandemic. NO2 is or stall it is to peak. Generally, the emitted in most cases by consider that it trend shows anomalies burning fossil fuels at high will be back to since 1979, and reveals temperatures, as in the usual once that there is 6 per cent internal combustion less sea ice than might engines. the virus is have been anticipated, However, Vincent-Henri defeated. although there’s plenty Peuch, the Director of of variability, too. the Copernicus There has been much Atmosphere Monitoring talk in the media about Service said that the the potential climate importance of the drop impact of the should not be Coronavirus-related overstated. “I don’t think shutdown. Europe has we can say that there is any long term significance in this decrease. However, in the short term, I think these decreases are useful. The level of air pollution is affecting cardio-pulmonary health in general, so having less pollution at a time where this virus is around can only be a good thing,” he said.

Is the Virus Air-Borne? There could also be another potential benefit of today’s lower air

25 pollution; there’s a chance that Covid-19 Head of Atmospheric Environment may be transported and remain viable on Research Division at the World particles of pollution. As yet, there is no Meteorological Organization, says that scientific consensus on this issue. carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the However, Alessandro Miani, the President atmosphere are still high. “If we look at of the Italian Society of Environmental how the levels of atmospheric CO2 are Medicine, certainly thinks it’s a viable formed, it’s not annual emissions in theory: “Particulate matter, when it’s at a particular which are controlling the levels; certain density and there is a lot of smog, it’s the whole accumulation of CO2 in the a lot of atmospheric pollution, can be atmosphere since pre-industrial times, considered a sort of highway for the which actually form the current level. acceleration of the epidemic,” Miani “So, the reduced emissions within one said. particular year of this scale are very unlikely to have an impact on global Carbon Dioxide Levels Has Witnessed a levels of carbon dioxide,” Oksana Significant Drop Tarasova explained. Short-term air pollution level, which lasts Tarasova is stressing that one has to grasp for a few hours or a few days in the the difference between a cut in emissions atmosphere, has dropped, and that is – something some countries will see this considered positive news. year, even if it’s only a small percentage However, despite the economic reduction – and the actual levels of slowdown, greenhouse gases are still greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. We being emitted. Oksana Tarasova, the would have to look back many millions of

26 years into the past to find CO2 concentrations as high as they are now, and at that time sea levels were tens of metres higher and the average temperatures globally were several degrees warmer.

Covid-19 and Climate Lessons The Covid-19 pandemic has had an immediate impact on our home and work environments, but when it comes to the environment, the picture is far less clear. Vincent-Henri Peuch believes that the current situation may have a big influence on our approach to pollution, moving forward. “The lessons learned once we will have this crisis behind us will However, Oksana Tarasova and her be very important to (rethink) the problem colleagues at the World Meteorological of air pollution,” he says. “Unfortunately Organization are doing their best to climate change will still be around and counter the myth, saying that the fake will not really be changed by this crisis.” news spurt leading to an ‘infodemic’ There have been a lot of questions about alongside the pandemic is one of the whether the virus will disappear with the major problems because it is making it summer weather. The answer isn’t clear, very difficult to differentiate between the we don’t have enough information yet, wheat and the chaff. and there are so many variables, But for those who imagine this pandemic including how we all behave in our daily will reverse climate change or stall it is to lives as temperature increases. consider that it will be back to the usual However, the idea that temperatures once the virus is defeated. Cars will spew above a certain level can destroy or smoke, so will factories desperate to prevent Coronavirus is very much among make for lost production. the myths circling around the virus. So don’t expect a temporary reprieve as a battle won. The battle for arresting climate change will be much longer than the one against the virus.

Media reports have [Author’s Introduction: Jeremy Wilks quoted old people covers science and technology for Euronews. He is the producer and saying that they presenter of the channel’s long-running have not seen such Space series, made in association with a clear sky in a long, the European Space Agency. Wilks has long time. moderated debates at Web Summit, ITU Telecom World, and CeBIT. He previously worked as a news journalist for BBC Radio, then for ITN before moving to Euronews in 2001.]

27 Health Role of Bioinformatics in the Development of Covid-19 Vaccine

Professor-cum-researcher, Dr. Rudra Prasad Saha already indicated that the world is going deliberates on how to face a major economic crisis, which will bioinformatics is playing a be much bigger than the one in 2008. The disease has caught us all on the wrong critical role in the future foot and extraordinary scientific and development of Covid-19 regulatory efforts are required to develop vaccine. a vaccine. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent for Covid-19. It belongs oronavirus Disease 2019 or Covid- to a large family of Coronaviruses that 19 has spread to more than 200 infects a wide variety of animals, birds Ccountries, infecting more than 2.3 and human. Shifting from an animal host million people and claiming over 150,000 to a human host for a virus is not easy as it lives as of April 19, 2020, in less than four requires genetic changes that would months since its first detection in Wuhan in enable the virus to survive and proliferate China. The world today is in a deep shock in humans. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to due to Covid-19, which has forced a have acquired those essential mutations majority of the world population to stay when it jumped from a bat to a human indoors to minimize the spread of the virus via pangolin, as predicted by the in the absence of any drug or vaccine. scientific community. The world economic activity has gone The virus mutates in such a way that it can downhill and the IMF and the WTO have

28 and helping in the development of drugs or vaccines. Sequence data is the ‘holy grail’ in Bioinformatics. Bioinformaticians use computational tools or write their programmes to analyze biological data and come up with theories that can be further tested in the laboratory for validation. In the presence of a large amount of data, scientists have to spend a great amount on time and money to get any fruitful results. In this scenario, Bioinformatics can be used to analyze the data, discard the redundant ones, and come up with a few significant predictions evade the human collaborating and which can be tested in immune system, survive, sharing data so that the the laboratory quickly. reproduce and then process of development This way, Bioinformatics jump to another human of a vaccine can be can reduce the due to its highly accelerated. Even if workload and infectious nature. The many scientists are stuck expenditure significantly, virus is believed to at their homes as their which in turn helps us to spread via respiratory laboratories have been address a problem droplets and aerosols, closed down due to the quickly and efficiently. when an infected person disease outbreak, their Today Bioinformaticians comes in close contact minds are not stuck and are closely working with with a healthy individual. therefore, they have various drug/ vaccine The virus causes mild to started working from development teams to severe symptoms in home, analyzing the find out a cure for Covid- humans including fever, available data and 19. dry cough, respiratory coming up with ideas To predict a drug against distress, pneumonia etc. that can help us to fight Covid-19, the workflow and may result in death. this deadly disease. of a Bioinformatician can In the absence of a In this crisis, be roughly divided into vaccine, scientists Bioinformatics has come five broad areas: (a) worldwide immediately out as one of the major retrieving nucleic acid started working by fields in analyzing data data from the primary sequence databases,

29 (b) analysis and comparison of the data present on the genome of the virus and by various sequence comparison tools, what kind of proteins can be encoded by (c) phylogenetic analysis of the these viral genes as knowing this sequences to find out relationships information is the first step in understating between various species, (d) homology the viral defenses that can be utilized for modeling of target viral proteins, and (e) drug development. docking of ligand molecules to viral proteins to facilitate designing of suitable Comparative Analysis of the Sequence inhibitors. Data Once the viral sequence was available Sequence Retrieval from the Database and retrieved, scientists started to The Covid-19 outbreak started in Wuhan, compare the data with similar types of China, in late December 2019. The viruses to find out how SARS-CoV-2 scientists immediately sequenced the viral originated. They found high similarity with genome and deposited that in the another Coronavirus named SARS-CoV Nucleotide database in January 2020 for which was responsible for a previous further analysis by other scientists. outbreak of SARS in 2003. They also found Nucleotide database is a freely available SARS-CoV-2 originated from a bat public sequence depository where Coronavirus by analyzing and comparing scientists worldwide deposit sequences of the sequence data. Also, comparing DNA and RNA for sharing of data with the different isolates of SARS-CoV-2 community. Immediately upon accessing sequences from different countries gave the SARS-CoV-2 sequence data, us an idea of how the virus is mutating Bioinformaticians started analyzing it to when transmitting from one region to the understand what types of genes are other and whether these mutations or changes in the viral genome would have any effect on the subsequent vaccine development procedure.

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Sequences At present sequences of more than 150 isolates of SARS-CoV-2 are present in the Nucleotide database and by phylogenetic analysis, scientists have found that there are at least three distinct strains (type A, B, and C) of the virus in circulation at different regions of the world. Phylogenetic analysis is a very important methodology, where evolutionary relationships between species, i.e., how a sequence is evolved from another sequence, can be predicted. Significant portions of A and C types are found in the European and American population, respectively, and in Asia, type B is prevalent. These findings are very important to understand how the virus is evolving in different areas.

30 Theoretical Modeling of Important Viral can be tested further in the laboratory to Proteins confirm their potency. Recently in a study, The understanding of the viral genome researchers have screened more than using Bioinformatic tools would help us to 30,000 molecules by Bioinformatic tools identify important proteins which can be and found several molecules that can be potent targets for antiviral drugs. To better used to inhibit the main protease from understand, Bioinformaticians can SARS-CoV-2 which would block the virus generate theoretical three-dimensional from further infection. (3D) models of all important viral protein Therefore, a student or a researcher by homology modeling. Homology needs to study Bioinformatics and modeling is a procedure understand how Bioinformatic where one can build a tools can be utilized to do theoretical model of a various experiments by molecule based on an In this crisis, using a computer which experimentally derived Bioinformatics has would in effect minimize 3D structure that has come out as one of experimental time and similarity in sequence the major fields in maximize the result. with the model being Covid-19 pandemic has built. Scientists have analyzing data and shown us the importance created theoretical helping in the of Bioinformatics and how models of all essential development of it is being used to SARS-CoV-2 proteins, for develop vaccines against example, viral protease, drugs or vaccines. this deadly disease. spike protein, viral polymerase, etc. to understand what kind of drug [Author’s Introduction: Dr. can be designed to inhibit these viral Rudra Prasad Saha is an Associate molecules so that the virus can be Professor and Head of the Department of stopped from further spreading. Several Biotechnology at Adamas University in Bioinformatic tools like Rosetta, Kolkata. He is also the Associate Dean of DeepMind’s AlphaFold, Modeller, etc. the School of Life Science and were being used by the scientists to build Biotechnology. Dr. Saha completed his initial 3D models of all the viral proteins. comprehensive post-doctoral research on host-virus relationships at the University of Drug Designing When the models of important viral Texas at Austin in USA and San Diego proteins are available, that can be State University in USA after earning his targeted by designing suitable drugs. To Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Bose Institute do so, scientists have started to scan under Jadavpur University in Kolkata. Dr. databases of existing drugs that are Saha has published several research already available. Using Bioinformatic papers in high impact international tools, these drugs were tested by journals and presented his work in several ‘docking’ them onto the target protein national and international conferences surfaces that are important for the activity around the world. Dr. Saha’s current of the viral protein. If suitable molecules research interests include but not limited are found using computational methods to metal homeostasis in bacteria, metallo- that actively bind and inhibit the viral regulation of transcription, virus-host proteins then these drugs or molecules interaction, and bioinformatics.]

31 Health Right to Health and Covid 19

Nationally renowned legal more particularly visible in the metro cities. professional and Some families are experiencing togetherness after ages. However, the educationist Dr. Jyotsna pandemic has reconfirmed the Yagnik writes about how importance of individual health and important the right to public health. As is popularly said, health health has become in the is wealth. The pandemic has proved that our health is of primary concern as it is our wake of the Covid-19 invisible asset. Therefore, right to health is mayhem. treated as a basic right.

Fundamental Premise The international perspective of Right to or the last 15 days or so, we have Health includes: been hearing from known or i. The right to the Funknown sources or reading in print enjoyment of the media or watching on television or highest sharing or are being shared by someone attainable on social media that lakhs standard of of people stand to lose physical and their jobs due to the mental Coronavirus health pandemic. It is also was being premised that first a scary scene a la the Second World War will be created after the pandemic becomes history. We are also being told that it will take at least five years for India to regain normalcy and the GDP of the country will go down significantly to the tune of 1.5 per cent. Coronavirus has also created many positive impacts in our social life, which is

32 articulated in 1946 in the Constitution of In 2017 in Geneva, Dr. Tedros Adhanom the World Health Organization (WHO), Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of whose preamble defines health as “a WHO while taking over his charge spoke state of complete physical, mental and about some important priorities, such as: social wellbeing and not merely the • Universal health coverage. absence of disease or infirmity.” The • Health emergencies. preamble further states that “the • Women’s, children’s and adolescents’ enjoyment of the highest attainable health. standard of health is one of the • Health impacts of climate and fundamental rights of every human being environmental changes. without distinction of race, religion, After perusing the address of WHO political belief, economic or social Director, it is comprehensible that due condition.” importance has been given to the right to ii. The 1948 Universal Declaration of health at the international level and that it Human Rights also mentioned health as has been treated as a human right. part of the right to an adequate standard of living (Art. 25). The Indian Perspective iii. The right to health was In comparison with many again recognized as a countries, India is found to human right in the 1966 In comparison with have been respecting International Covenant international on Economic, Social many countries, commitment on right to and Cultural Rights. India is found to health. The provision for Since then, other have been the budget in the health international human respecting is also notable while rights treaties have comparing it with the recognized or referred international budgeting of other to the right to health or commitment on right countries. There are elements of it, such as to health. numerous health the right to medical schemes like free care. vaccination to children, iv. In 2002, the Human Rights Ayushman Bharat Yojana Council had created the health scheme, Amrutam mandate of Special Rapporteur on the and policies by which different health right of everyone to the highest attainable schemes are being introduced to take standard of physical and mental health. care of public health and particularly v. Moreover, vide Art. 14 in Convention of take care of the health of the Elimination of Discrimination against marginalized class, women, senior citizens, Women (CEDAW) signatory, states have children, etc. It is important to note that been directed to see to it that women though provisions are made for have access to adequate healthcare cleanliness, cleanliness has become the facilities and that women have adequate last priority. At times, the lack of facilities in their pre-and postnatal period, cleanliness is the principal cause for many stage of pregnancy, etc. Even diseases. concerning domestic violence, the It is worthwhile to mention that vide Article provision of proper physical and mental 47 of the Constitution of India, it has been health services, treatment, etc. have provided that the state shall have a duty been directed. to raise the level of nutrition and the

33 standard of living and to India being a welfare improve public health. It state, these directive has been mentioned as principles are popularly the primary duty of the known as the heart of state. This Article 11 is the Constitution of India, one of the Directive which have been Principles of State Policy, provided for guidance to which is fundamental in the interpretation of the governance of the fundamental rights of the Preparing and country. However, it citizen as also the cannot go out of notice statutory rights. implementing a that Article 47 is part of As discussed, these global policy to Chapter 4, which is a principles are for the avoid mass part of the Directive governance of the Principles of State Policy. country. Article 38 of the migration of Vide Article 37; provisions Constitution of India is to labourers in the have been made to the effect that the state future seems to implement these has to secure a social be essential. directive principles. order for the promotion It has been specifically of welfare of the people. provided here that the Through Sub Clause (e) provisions of this Part 4 of of Article 3912, the the Constitution of India Health and strength of shall not be enforceable workers have been given by any court and that it due importance. In a shall be the duty of the nutshell, it can be stated state to apply these that the Constitution of principles in making laws. India has taken enough care for ensuring the right to health and public health. Article 21 of the constitution of India is an important fundamental right of protection of life and personal liberty, of which no person shall be deprived except according to the procedure established by law. Here in my humble opinion, the right to health is a part of the right to life, which is one of the basic human rights. S. 2(d) of Protection of Human Rights Act 1993

34 defines human right as the right relating to right to health must be expressly provided life, liberty, equality, and dignity of the as a fundamental right or the Directive individual guaranteed by the constitution Principles of State Policy should be made or embodied in the International enforceable by a court or there has to be covenant and enforceable by courts in an international covenant for the right to India. The definition of human rights also health. makes right relating to life as a part of human rights, and health is an important Suggestions limb of the right to life, which makes it a In view of the discussion, following human right. suggestions can translate the right to Another important segment of the said health into a reality and ensure that no right is its enforceability other pandemic turns out to by courts in India. As far be so deadly as Covid-19: as the Constitution of a) The saddest part of India is concerned, right Health is defined the entire Covid-19 fiasco to health is not expressly as “a state of in India is migrant given as a fundamental complete physical, labourers, who had to right. As discussed mental and social undergo and are hereinabove, Directive undergoing many Principles of State Policy, wellbeing and not difficulties including where the right to health merely the absence insecurity and financial is provided, is not of disease or crunches. Preparing and enforceable by the infirmity.” implementing a global court. Thus, in my policy to avoid such mass opinion, to ensure migration of labourers in enforceability by the court, the future seems to be

35 funds should be utilised under the supervision of WHO or any such body of universal acceptance in cases of global calamities. d) Deaths of underprivileged and marginalized people in such a pandemic are common. Covenant on the right to health and right to healthcare will reduce the risk and that will be indeed a great human service. e) There is a dire need to evolve a global policy to be applied uniformly on all countries related to insurance coverage, compulsory free regular health checkups, medical insurance, and claim clearance policy to be adopted by insurance companies. f) International programmes need to be introduced, which the member countries will follow to empower its people, to educate its people, to bring awareness in the general public about their right to health, to ensure access to medicines and to maintain a situation where illness becomes an exception. g) At the international level, surveillance and checkpoints should be created to see to it that health risk is reduced, essential. healthcare is increased, and death due b) Many countries have ratified at least to pandemic or incapacity to treat is nil. one international human rights treaty or h) Having learnt from the present declaration or have signed at least one experience of Covid-19, we need to bring convention, which recognizes the right to in a situation where humanity is respected health. However, in many countries and the most. particularly in underdeveloped countries, right to health is more on paper. There is no clear right to health given through [Author’s Introduction: Currently the Pro legislature, which can have enforceability Vice Chancellor and the Dean of the by law. It is, therefore, essential that each School of Law and Justice at the Kolkata- country gives the right of health clearly based Adamas University, Dr. Jyotsna and expressly through its local law. Yagnik is a Former Principal Judge at City c) The time has ripened when we need to Civil Courts in Ahmedabad. Dr. Jyotsna think at the international level and adopt Yagnik has been teaching Law and one binding international covenant for imparting training to senior officers for right to health ensuring funding from all about 33 years. She is the Former Principal countries. The contributions should not be of Law College and the Former Director of uniform. It should be according to the Yagnik law Academy that coaches for financial capacity of each country. Such judiciary examinations.]

36 Economy and Commerce Whither Aviation in a Post Covid World

Renowned aviation expert Prof. (Dr.) Ugur Guven throws light on how the aviation sector will deal with the Covid-19 crisis.

ne of the most significant inventions that changed the global landscape in a magnificent way was the invention of the powered flight by the OWright Brothers in 1903. While the first powered flight lasted for only 12 seconds; it opened up an era of travel and global expansion in the 20th century. Especially after the initial aviation boom of the 1930’s, the aviation industry shaped the world both politically and economically. Furthermore, in the 21st century, aviation has definitely become one of the top three influential sectors in

37 Coronavirus fallout may hurt airline earnings landscape and the global economy Estimated impact on 2020 profits (%) forever in various ways. The aviation

Wizz industry, which has been the backbone of IAG the global economy and global travel, Norwegian has suffered immense amounts of Ryanair

Aegean damage due to the pandemic. SAS Especially, global lockdowns and travel Lufthansa restrictions across the world (including Easyjet

Finnair Schengen travel restrictions and USA Air France-KLM travel restrictions) have made air travel -80 -60 -40 -20 0 impossible since the mid of March. Source: HSBC © FT Thousands of planes throughout the world Figure 1: Coronavirus Effect on Airline Profits have been grounded with no clear date (Source: Financial Times) of operation in sight. Though some local flights in China and USA remain operational, most flights across Europe, Asia, and Africa have been legally the world. grounded. As a result, airlines have The aviation industry can be truly grounded their planes for weeks. Of considered as the backbone of the course, one exception to this situation has global economy since aviation been the international flights operated by encompasses not just the travel of governments to extradite their citizens individuals, but also the air transportation from infected countries. of goods and commodities across the One of the primal factors of the aviation world. The aviation industry has made the world a smaller place and it has become possible for any entrepreneur in India or anywhere else in the world to conduct business with any other country and sell his/ her products or services. Moreover, families and friends have become closer to each other with distances becoming meaningless. People across the world have been able to explore various fascinating locations to help create a true global community. Especially, countries like India and China have played a great role in the aviation boom of the 21st century, with the expansion of their economies as well as with the expansion of new airports and new aircrafts.

Covid-19 Has Negatively Impacted the Aviation Industry However, the arrival of SARS-CoV2-virus, which is the cause of the Covid-19 Pandemic, has altered the global

38 industry is that like a well- maintenance, engine oiled machine, it has to overhaul, protective be kept operational in covering, and round-the- order for it to be clock supervision. This productively functional. means preserving the Just like once you shut engines, removing all off a machine, it fluids and getting becomes difficult to turn everything covered in it back on after several protective casing months (if it has not been Thousands of against outer elements maintained), this is planes such as the weather and doubly so for the birds. In addition, the concept of airplanes throughout the wheels need to be and airports. world have rotated regularly and the It’s an interesting fact been grounded engines have to be kept known by Aerospace dry with silica moisture Engineers that a with no clear absorbents. Hence, in a functional plane which is date of way, this is even more kept constantly flying is in operation in difficult for airlines. An a far better shape than a sight. efficient and plane which has been economically viable grounded. Keeping a airline always tries to plane on the ground keep all of its airplanes requires extensive flying. This is why global airlines such as Lufthansa and Emirates in the past were so successful in terms of their profitability. Many aviation analysts agree that this is the worst aviation crisis that the aviation industry has faced since its inception. According to industry research organization Cirium, more than 16,000 planes have been grounded worldwide and many major airports across the world have become parking lots to these planes. Besides the huge maintenance costs of airplanes on the ground, airlines also have to pay for parking of each plane on a long term

39 and these charges can depend on the Max aircraft to be grounded in the world country as well as the airport. For since March 2019. example, in India, airlines for each wide- Coupled with the Covid-19 troubles, body aircraft have to pay approximately many industry experts suggest that Boeing $1,000 per day (roughly Rs. 75,000 per will need a large bailout from the US day). If you can imagine 100 days or Government to survive. Already, some longer duration of grounding for many subsidy funding has been supplied to long range aircraft such as Boeing 777- Boeing by the government. While Airbus 300; it is possible to see how fast the seems to be in better economical shape; expenses pile up for a single wide-body the overall effect of the Covid-19 aircraft (Rs. 7.5 Million per wide-body pandemic on European economies has aircraft for a period of 100 days) (Source: been devastating in general. Bloomberg). For 100 wide-body aircrafts Besides aircraft manufacturers, airport stored for 100 days, this would add up to authorities are also facing critical times, a very large amount that would be since many airports across the world are impossible for any airline to bear on its in a state of zero income (except for own. If you also add those designated as holding maintenance costs spaces for aircrafts as described above to this described above) and parking cost, you can Many aviation even nonoperational quickly see that airlines airports have many across the world are analysts agree that operational maintenance losing money this is the worst expenses to keep them excessively and it is not aviation crisis that certified for landing of something that can be airplanes in the future. maintained for any the aviation industry Overall, the International period of time, has faced since its Air Transport Association especially since globally inception. (IATA) estimates that the we don’t know as to loss to the aviation sector when the Covid-19 will total around a trillion outbreak will be fully dollars (Source: IATA). extinguished. The Aviation Industry Will Stage a Many Airlines Will Require Stimulus Comeback Packages for Survival However, regardless of the negative Even though the peak point seems to outlook; it must be stated that the have been reached in many countries, aviation industry will continue to be the many analysts agree that our lifestyles backbone of global economy and global won’t return to the pre-Covid era growth. We must never forget that the immediately and that global aviation will aviation industry brings us together no take two to six years to recover to its 2019 matter where we are in the world. metrics. Aviation makes everything possible from Besides the airlines, the losses to aircraft commerce to tourism and from sports to manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus education in a world where everything is also going to be immense, especially for and everyone is connected. Aviation Boeing, as it had a lot of grounded faced many crises earlier such as the 1929 aircrafts due to its issues in Boeing 737 depression, September 11 Terrorist Attack, Max aircraft, which caused all Boeing 737 2008 Global Recession and even the 2002

40 minutes. Space tourism is growing bigger than before with the aid of the private sector. Simple Low Earth Orbit flights by private companies may become commonplace like international flights in the next decade. In a way, aviation and aerospace is still the future of our world. Thus, the demand for professionals will be at an all-time high in the next five to 10 years. The progress of humanity has never been stopped due to any catastrophe. Progress has continued regardless of obstacles. Aviation will not be an exception either. In many ways, aviation and aerospace symbolize the SARS outbreak, which had also affected future of humanity. As long as humanity is the number of passengers flying due to alive, both the aviation and the health concerns. aerospace sectors will continue to grow Eventually, after each crisis, the aviation beyond our dreams. industry always comes back globally stronger than before. It is expected that eventually this crisis will cause the aviation [Author’s Introduction: Prof. (Dr.) Ugur industry to be far stronger than before. Of Guven is an Aerospace Engineer as well course, this will mean that some smaller as a Nuclear Engineer. His area of interest airlines may go bankrupt or that they may is Advanced Space Propulsion, Utilization have to conglomerate with bigger of CFD in Propulsion Systems and CFD airlines. Naturally, many governments will Analysis of Nuclear Reactors as well as be providing support and subsidies to the various topics related to advancements in larger airlines to help put them back in Aerospace Engineering. On the financial health similar to the German international front, he is serving as the Government giving support to Lufthansa Advisory Council Member to United or the US Government giving a similar support to Delta Airlines. Nations Center for Space Science and Even the manufacturers of airplanes and Space Technology Education in Asia- parts will have to recalibrate their thinking. Pacific Region (UN CSSTEAP) and he is There may be some changes to make the also the Member of the Academic aviation industry become more Council on United Nations Systems and productive as a result. However, in the Member of the European Association for next five years, the aviation industry in its International Education (EAIE). He is also changed form will be more powerful than currently the member of NAFSA as an before. With the upcoming advances in educator and he is the Founder Honorary the aerospace sector, we may also soon Executive Coordinator of the Indo-French see the aviation industry taking a turn for Academic Alliance. In addition, Prof. more advanced opportunities in the next Guven is a part of the NASA LEAG five to 10 years. There are exciting Research Group. He has 25+ years of work developments such as the inception of experience and over 250+ academic new supersonic aircrafts similar to publications comprising of journal papers, Concorde of the 80’s, so that travel from conference proceedings, project reports, one continent to other will be a matter of and books.]

41 Economy and Commerce Marketing and Business Trends Post Covid for India: A Brief Analysis

Awarded educationist Dr. Subrata Chattopadhyay throws light on the battered. Western economies are badly marketing and business battered while countries like India, Indonesia etc. are not so tattered. trends once the Covid-19 Global Capital inflow into India can episode is over. happen, if we can act efficiently and strategically pull it. Emotional and economic backlash against China is expected by the global economies, he Indian population despite standing which suffered badly. Already, countries at 130 crores plus seems to have and companies are working on strategies Tsuppressed the curve so far. It looks to pivot away from China as part of their like the country might escape the worst of supply chains. The Japanese government the pandemic. However, it will have to be has announced packages for its cautious. There is a good propensity of re- companies bringing back manufacturing occurrence of the virus, which could see home. Businesses need to keep this in a possibility of regular lockdowns. Hence, mind and work accordingly. businesses need to plan accordingly. The discretionary spending for individuals’ Capital will look for countries that are less health and safety will be the top priority.

42 have trust deficit with suppliers etc. The good costs (e.g. digitization, tech costs, digital marketing, best employees etc.) need to be insulated and protected. The bad costs (e.g. fancy office, unnecessary spending, bad performers, traditional working methods etc.) need to be ruthlessly eliminated. It is suggestive to park about non-core businesses and concentrate on core business. In recessionary times, as the world is witnessing already, it isn’t necessary to have fancy offices, fancy cars, excess employee strength, etc. Remove all the flab and be lean. It is thus important to have frank and open conversations with all stakeholders like suppliers; employees etc. and try to find the middle ground, so that the burden can be shared justly. In this crisis, there will be winners and there will be losers. Those who reorient their strategy will be winners.

The Indian Story The Indian government earns about $60- 70 billion a week from taxes and the five-week lockdown will have tremendous impact. The size of the Indian economy is about $3 trillion. In some scenarios, it is predicted that the government could There will be more spending on this area take a hit of nearly $1 trillion. Inequality and reduction in other discretionary has already sharpened. The gap between spends. The volume of spending will drop rich and poor has further increased. The for a while. People will spend on cheaper goods than on expensive goods, or delay spending for a while. Extreme acceleration in digital economy i.e. home education, home entertainment, home fitness etc. is on the awning and trends The discretionary are already visible. However, people will spending for be less loyal towards brands as other individuals’ health aspects will take over. People will switch and safety will be brands faster due to various other concerns like safety etc. This is because of the top priority. a trust deficit amongst stakeholders like vendors, customers, employees, borrowers, banks etc. Banks will have trust deficit with borrowers, companies will

43 China currently is. India needs to make use of this opportunity smartly. All big wealth funds and sovereign funds will be awash with liquidity. This liquidity needs to be attracted to India. Management has to invest correctly in manufacturing and modern technology and be honest and fair to all stakeholders etc. Indian exporters need to build trust. They need to live up to the promises made. They need to deliver on time and government needs to deliver the promised concentrate on mass quality. They shouldn’t health and mass welfare. make incorrect promises If not, 200 million people just to get more business. could sink into poverty. Bangladesh export The government must business has built trust explore printing currency and a good reputation. (quantitative easing), Despite a chequered but there are limitations past (low quality, human here. It has side effects rights issues etc.), they like inflation etc. Rich have managed to countries have more overcome and are leeway for such winning. quantitative easing. The government must The Consumer Trends concentrate on Post Covid-19 grabbing more capital More people will prefer from outside and do to buy from retail stores reforms to enable that. where there is the Businesses with supply perception of safety Global Capital chains passing through (e.g. sanitation, inflow into India China will need to keep cleanliness, crowds etc). can happen if this in mind and insulate They will move more themselves and build towards malls away from we can act alternatives. India and markets. Many will move efficiently and Indian businesses need towards online stores. strategically to try to become the Wholesale suppliers also contract manufacturer need to concentrate on pull it. of the world, just like such retailers.

44 Car companies are giving buy back offers travel avoidance, etc., will prevent fat in case the customer loses his job in the weddings, destination weddings, etc. This next one year. Pricing needs to be re- will hit all connected industries (e.g. Silk, approached. People are looking for party wear, etc.). cheaper prices or cheaper goods. The Indian glocalised Financial Markets Cinemas could take a big hit in the near will witness value destruction and value future. Entertainment could move home. creation in different companies in the Because of this, cafes and restaurants same sector. High debt low margin might see some increase in business. companies will find it difficult (indicates Many chains are implementing measures risky or unscrupulous management). High like social distancing like lesser furniture debt high margin companies could be etc. to build confidence to consumers. rewarded, but caution needs to be Smaller retailers need to send a message exercised (may indicate sharp or of safety. E.g. Have sanitizers, put up dynamic management). No debt high notice of no Covid margin companies are best positive employee rewarded now. found in the store, New tech unicorns will be maintain social born. Those involved in distancing etc. Since Cinemas cyber security, cloud travel and tourism will could take a services, online education take a big hit, services etc. will have a connected purchases big hit in the near field day. The will also shift. Purchases future. government should be that happened abroad Entertainment buying as much oil as will happen at home could move home. possible, as such prices (e.g. Electronics, Luxury may never be seen in the goods and apparel, future of oil. As the etc.). However, travel- western economies are related purchases will drop. more battered and Indian real estate economy is Indian economy is less sitting on a huge inventory with a huge battered so far, there is more liquidity cost-of-carry. coming in. That’s why there is a rally in the The real industry is highly leveraged with market. This scenario could change low margins. Unsold inventory is depending on the spread of the disease considered as an appreciating asset, but in India. might turn out to be a flawed view. Market was already overdue for a huge Marketing and Business Outlook for Near reset, which will be accelerated by the Future pandemic. Also, the sharing and co- For large companies, there will be a huge working space could be hit as more concern seen for employees. Companies businesses try to have their own smaller are paying the employees even when spaces and more WFH employees. Gold- closed. HUL Decided not to cut a single as-an-asset could see appreciation. In rupee for their suppliers, service providers fact, already it is trading at Rs. 50,000 per etc. Safety of employees and customers is 10 gms. However, jewelry, as a becoming a major point of focus. This is discretionary spend, will take a hit. The possible because they have reserves of Indian wedding industry will take a hit, as funds etc. that have been built up over social distancing, cost consciousness, the years.

45 across the table and find a common ground and mutually decide upon the costs, rentals etc. Burden has to be shared. It is possible for a lot of employees to not visit the office and still be productive. It may be the trend that it is enough that only 30 per cent staff stays in the office. Others can be connected from homes. This leads to lesser commute expense, stress of the commute, time wasted etc. Parents can take care of children more effectively when WFH. There can be dark hours when no calls will be made etc. Summing up the business and marketing scenario for India reflects as per a McKinsey survey of entrepreneurs released few days ago, 53 per cent of Indian entrepreneurs are optimistic, while only 25 per cent of Japanese entrepreneurs are optimistic. It seems to be a mild U-Curve for the economy. But the descent has not stopped yet. There might be more pain ahead if discretionary strategic measures are not For medium and small businesses, they exercised, which is the major challenge have to work with thin capital reserves. for our 130-crore populated country. Excess capital is taken out of the business and applied into personal assets. Small businesses take out the surplus and [Author’s Introduction: Dr. Subrata purchase personal assets instead of re- Chattopadhyay is an M.Sc., M.B.A., Ph.D. investing in the business. There are various from IIT-ISM Dhanbad. Adept at factors and motivations here. Because of innovative teaching practices, he is highly this, they are unable to meet the cash networked with the industry. Dr. Subrata expenses of even the next month. For e.g. has been awarded and recognized as the it’s a common practice these days for Outstanding Higher Education Leader of high end business chains (with Rs. 40 crore the Year by SOE Global Education Awards annual turnover) who are unable to pay in 2014 and recognized by NFED for his the salaries of the current month as it has contribution to mentoring startups, no liquid reserve. The owner might have teaching and research for two invested in personal assets like a house in consecutive years (2013 and 2014). He London etc. Medium and small businesses was conferred the prestigious MTC Global need to have a look at how they can Top Thinkers award in September 2015 build some business reserves to endure and Mentor of the Year by HRD India in such disruptions. June 2019. He is associated as a life All parties have been affected by the member with ISTD, CMA, PRSI, NIPM, crisis – the tenants, the landlords, the NHRD, NFED, ISABS and does mentoring lenders/ financiers, etc. Parties need to sit and consulting for various organizations.]

46 Economy and Commerce Bubble Valuation of Startups Will be History in the Post Corona World

Filmmaker and producer investment bankers and VCs, who to be Cyrus Dastur writes a honest themselves knew very little. Every random idea was celebrated and scathing piece on how the millions poured in. Business and basic Covid-19 crisis will destroy fundamentals became a joke. Profitability innumerable flawed was scorned upon. Fancy terms like ‘Unicorns’ and ‘GMV’ (Gross Merchandise startups. Value) were invented. In simple words, everyone was trying to convince each other that they were creating the next he last six years has been nothing Facebook and Google. And every IIT-IIM short of a party for most startups. student passing out was supposed to be TFancy, inflated valuations, zero the next Zuckerberg. accountability, no questions asked and Cash burn was the new Buzz word. The perennially hailed as the next big thing by more cash you threw away, the higher

47 your valuation. Didn’t matter if no one knew what was going on or if there would ever be profit. Ever!

The Oyo and Airbnb Stories Valuations became a joke. I still remember Oyo (which is ironically on its last legs today) not long ago went around town claiming they were the biggest hotel chain in India and how their valuation – a ridiculous $10 billion at its scrapped. Investors suddenly realised peak – made them much larger than the window dressing of Balance Sheets Taj Group of Hotels. meant nothing. Uber was the next fiasco It’s a different thing that Oyo has never and investors started cutting the flab. It made a penny in profit and its Founder didn’t help that both these companies Ritesh Agarwal and his guru Masayoshi had one thing in common – SoftBank. Son (SoftBank Vision Fund) are today in a And then Corona struck from nowhere big soup and owe billions to various banks bringing the whole world to a grinding and lenders because of their over halt. Valuations slid further and many confidence. companies started folding up. One time But as all parties come to an end, giants like Airbnb started struggling just to businesses that lack fundamentals also stay afloat. Founder Brian Chesky has get a reality check at some point. The taken some decisive steps to stanch the WeWork IPO fiasco pretty much bleeding, including halting most of announced two things. Firstly, businesses Airbnb’s $800 million annual marketing that are not profitable even after a few outlay and cutting executive pay. The years are a waste of time. And, secondly company in the last three weeks raised just because you use an app doesn’t $2 billion in debt, accepting a punishing mean you’re a Tech business. 11 per cent interest rate, to pad its Once the darling of the investors, the reserves. In recent days, the company valuation of Adam Neumann promoted told investors that it expects business to WeWork quickly collapsed from $47 billion bounce back in the second half of this to just about $10 billion and the IPO was year, and that even after this year’s wreckage; revenue would climb to $5.5 billion in 2021, a 15 per cent increase over 2019. Everyone was trying to Sniffing the Coffee New age companies like Opendoor, convince each scooter rental service Lime and other that they apartment rental company Sonder were creating the started firing people left, right and centre. Forget the billion-dollar valuations, these next Facebook one-time VC darlings are today finding it and Google. tough to even pay salaries! Back home, the situation is even worse. India’s favourite startup Oyo has

48 defaulted on most of its employees and SoftBank payments to partner in a mess but also a hotels. They’ve permanent question furloughed thousands of mark on other promising their staff, have run out Indian startups. For a of cash and are staring long time to come, new at a virtual dead end. It age entrepreneurs will would perhaps take a have to carry the cross miracle for the likes of of Oyo’s failure. Oyo to see through these Once the It is said that after times. darling of the downturns, the strong For the uninitiated, Oyo emerge stronger. The has burnt over $3 billion investors, the weak players get wiped (Rs. 23.000 crores) in less valuation of out. This is not the first than five years (you read Adam downturn, nor will this be it right!) with pretty much the last. What makes this very little outcome. There Neumann crisis so different is that was a time when flush promoted this is something none of with funds, Agarwal WeWork us has ever seen. The would go from motel to quickly whole world coming to a motel in the USA, throw virtual standstill is hitherto money and tempt the collapsed from unprecedented. owners to sign up for $47 billion to But one thing is for sure. Oyo. Sadly Agarwal and just about $10 The bubble valuations of his guru forgot that only startups will be history. money doesn’t really billion and the From here on, it’s survival make businesses work. It IPO was of the fittest! is strategy, experience scrapped. and sound knowledge that are more important. [Author’s Introduction: With his inherent Cyrus Dastur is the incompetence, Agarwal founder of SHAMIANA- has not just put his 25,000 Asia’s largest short film company and one of India’s best known startups. Besides being a cinephile, he is also a keen observer of the startup space and actively innovate new- age business. Cyrus is a respected producer having produced a Bollywood feature film, a TV series and two Musical productions – Strangers in the Night and The Name’s Bond.]

49 Economy and Commerce The Stock Market Chronology of Covid-19 and Beyond

Educationist Sabyasachi Mondal chronicles the continuous impact of Covid-19 on the stock markets and analyzes what is going to happen afterwards.

cursory glance at the last two years’ return leading to the Covid- A19 pandemic shows that the stock market gave healthy returns until the beginning of January 2020. The benchmark BSE Sensex gave a return of 16 per cent and 21 per cent for one-year and two-year returns respectively. In fact, until the middle of February, the market grew handsomely even with the initial news of the virus outbreak across the world.

Was the Market All Good? The economic parameters of the last two years were nothing to write home about. The real GDP growth has climbed down from the peak of 8.13 per cent in January 2018 to a paltry 4.71 per cent in October 2019. The fall in GDP can be attributed to the decrease in overall demand for products in the economy. The most prominent factors affecting the

50 economy for these two reflect the sorry state of years were the economy. deteriorating asset This points to the fact quality of banks. The that though the receivables of the bank economic fundamentals didn’t materialize on were not strong, people time leading to a huge still kept buying stocks spike in non-performing and it made the market assets (NPA). As a result overvalued. The price-to- Until the middle of that, banks were not earnings (PE) ratio of willing to issue new loans. Sensex, which is an of February, Moreover, due to high indicator of over or the market profile financial undervaluation of stocks, grew profligacies and strict supports the above government actions on argument. The PE handsomely the offenders and the multiple of BSE Sensex of even with the bank managers, new 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 initial news of loan issue dried up as stood at 23.71 and 26.44 the virus banks were not willing to respectively, which are a take risk. Consequently, lot higher than the 10 outbreak a liquidity crunch was year average of 20.80. It across the created in the economy, indicates that the stock world. which meant there was market was grossly not enough money for overvalued. It is this new investments. scenario when the However, the rosy global pandemic of picture of stock market in Covid-19 came into the this period really didn’t picture.

The Mayhem It was December 31, 2019 when China reported a pneumonia- like disease in Wuhan, which was identified as the novel Coronavirus. But it was not before January 5, 2020 that the world knew about its existence when WHO published its first report. The market apparently didn’t take the first signs seriously and it was not until February 20, 2020 that they realized that something is not right. By that time the pandemic

51 started spreading across the world and market was caused largely by the market had slowly started to crumble. unabashed fear about the spread of the From February 20 to February 28, 2020, deadly pandemic. It is well known that Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) from the market runs on hope, fear and greed. USA dropped nearly 12 per cent, FTSE 100 As all the global markets are connected from London tanked 11.5 per cent and to each other, a fall somewhere out of Nikkei 225 from Japan shaded nearly 10 fear will lead to the fall in others because per cent. Taking the fear is contagious. clue from these Governmental lockdowns markets, the the world over crippled benchmark BSE Sensex The crash in global the economy as tanked nearly 7 per as well as Indian production virtually cent within that period. market was caused stopped and so has the The mayhem continued largely by the demand. As a result of thereafter and the unabashed fear that, the growth Sensex crash landed to projections are lowered 25,981 on March 23, about the spread of across the board and 2020 losing a whopping the deadly people started selling 37 per cent from the pandemic. stocks in a hurry causing peak of 41,170 in the market meltdown. February 20, 2020. In the However, uncertainty and USA, this is comparable to fear over the deadly virus the infamous ‘Black Monday’ is not the sole reason for the market’s crash of 1987, when the Dow Jones downfall. Industrial Average (DJIA) crashed 22.6 per cent. In India, on the other hand, it is Global Oil Market Conundrum comparable to the infamous 1992 crash With the advent of the pandemic, due to the Harshad Mehta Scam. demand fell and so did the production. Factories got shut as a result of that. Due What Went Wrong? to the lockdown, global transportations, The crash in global as well as Indian be it public or private, came to a

52 screeching halt. Airlines, the dollar liquidity in the trains, buses and cars market and depleted have all but vanished. the Forex reserves of RBI. This led to a fall in demand for fossil fuels. What Is in It for Investors As the demand fell, Now? prices nosedived. As the The market has gone prices came down, the down, reached its base oil producing companies and came up a fair bit. incurred huge losses. From 25,981.24 on March Online Most of these companies 23, 2020 to 31,588.72 on are based in Saudi April 17, 2020, the market education may Arabia and Russia. To has moved up the have got a cover the losses, these ladder by 21 per cent permanent companies have started within a month. The increasing their market was overvalued boost now and production heavily even three months back more startups which ramped up the and now it has shaded may come up. some of its fat. But is it supply. Consequently, With this, lack of demand and good to invest now? abundance of supply 2020-21 PE ratio of BSE stocks, allied to have severely crashed Sensex stands at 18.18, the education the oil prices. Brent below the last 10-year sector, are crude, the benchmark average of 20.46. It means that the market is oil index of the world, expected to undervalued and it is a plunged 68 per cent by soar. good time to invest now. March end from its peak In fact, the market is of $63.27 in January. expected to move up even further. The GDP FII Outflow Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) are the ones who invest in our financial markets. It is seen that they continuously withdrew money from equity and debt market alike for the last three months to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh crore. The fund outflow is mainly caused by redemption of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF). This sudden outflow has caused the market to go down further. Moreover, it has severely damaged

53 growth rate is still at its minimum and the has taught individuals to respect nature, government is expected to take to be hygienic, to improve efficiency, be measures to shore it up after the debacle technically literate, give quality time to is over. This will enhance the prospect of families etc. It has also taught corporate industries in the future and the market will entities to prepare for eventualities and improve. Moreover, a few decisions failsafe, to be more respectful to nature already taken by the government to and decrease carbon footprints or other bolster the economy will take time to pollutants emanating from them etc. All reflect in the market, like cut in corporate these factors are going to play out in the tax. Among the sectors pharmaceuticals, coming days. For example, online healthcare and banking are expected to education may have got a permanent perform well in medium to long term. With boost now and more startups may come the advent of huge R&D expenditure in up. With this, stocks, allied to the these torrid times, new vaccines and education sector, are expected to soar. medicines are expected to come up Likewise, CSR activities may no longer be soon, which will improve the balance a choice, it may be a compulsion in the sheet of pharmaceutical companies. coming days for each Company. Banking companies, especially the Because the socially concerned investors private ones, on the other hand traded at may choose to invest more in socially their lowest a month back. Measures to responsible companies and with this, improve NPAs and credit growth are socially responsible index may get a expected to improve their balance sheet boost. It is known that any change in as well. Lastly, oil prices are expected to human behaviour, good or bad, leads to maintain their low level even in the activities that directly or indirectly affect coming days. Hence, any company some stock or other. We can only hope which is using oil as raw material might that the movement in the stock markets in see their stocks surge. the coming days will be associated with the better behaviour of individuals and An Interesting Take corporate entities alike. With the economy in doldrums, there is a probability that the government may dole out more cash benefits to the needy over [Author’s Introduction: Sabyasachi and above the economics package that Mondal is an Assistant Professor of has already been declared. The Finance at the School of Management government can print money and buy under Adamas University in Kolkata. He back bonds from commercial banks has significant experience in the fields of through a process called quantitative equity research, academics and easing. This will shore up more funds in the competitive examination training. He did banking system, which may later be his B.Com. from St. Xavier’s College in distributed to the needy and poor, at the Kolkata and M.B.A. from ICFAI Business cost of a certain increase in inflation. School in Hyderabad. He worked with However, if this fund is open to all, corporates like NESS Technologies and corporate entities can buy back shares AMBA Research in the fields of equity and investors can invest in financial assets research and business analysis. He including stocks. As a result of that, stock qualified NET at the first attempt. He is market will move up further. presently perusing Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Information Technology in Conclusion Allahabad, in the area of ‘efficiency of Covid-19 has taught us many lessons. It socially responsible indices’.]

54 Economy and Commerce Changes in Consumer Behaviour that Are Here to Stay

Creative marketer and entrepreneur Arijit Banerjee speaks on how the Covid- 19 crisis will have an irreversible impact on consumer behaviour across the spectrum.

may be a marketer from 9 am to 5 pm, but I am a consumer 24x7. I started IConsumer51 in 2011 to bring the consumer perspective to our clients. Over the years, we’ve put together a team of experts to help our clients look at things from their consumer’s viewpoint. This team consists of experts in technology and marketing, who think of themselves as voice at the table, we need to know and consumers first, and developers and understand the consumer (by consumer, I designers second. What we do helps our mean all the different consumer clients create usable products, develop personas). We play devil’s advocate a lot, memorable messaging, and Minimize the often role-playing one consumer persona risk of our clients’ efforts missing the mark. versus the other and pre-empting To channel the consumer at these consumer responses. If there’s one thing decision-making meetings and have a we’ve come to learn from helping our

55 clients connect with their backgrounds. While their consumers, it’s that political views, consumer behaviour is demographic profiles, always changing. and ambitions may be Our Consumer51 team different, all these groups has worked with clients have some things in ranging from common. In essence, manufacturing firms in they all want the same Indiana to healthcare thing from the brands providers in Minnesota, they consume: be faster, government agencies in more affordable, more New Mexico, AI convenient, and in line companies in Silicon with their beliefs. Consumers Valley, and educational Given this background, a want the same institutions in Nepal. We question that I have thing from the have helped market been asked many times destinations and dinners; in recent days is how brands they we’ve created online Covid-19 will change consume: be portals and apps; consumer behaviour in faster, more worked with celebrity the long term? I will try to clients, Fortune 500 answer this question as affordable, brands, and one-person best I can. more startups. This experience There’s a commonly convenient, has allowed us to learn used quote, which and in line with about people from accurately sums up the their beliefs. many different disparity of our times.

56 “The future is already here – it’s just not employees, their community, and the very evenly distributed.” Often attributed planet, will become as much a part of the to William Gibson, this quote comes to purchase equation in the consumer’s mind in thinking of consumers and how mind as the product or service itself. differently this crisis has impacted different segments. Some are working from Bots Are Our New Buddies comfortable temperature-regulated Most consumers think of bots as those homes, watching Netflix, and shopping pesky cost-savings measures businesses online. At the same time, others have lost use that make us repeat our requests and everything to the pandemic and are curse into the phone. Well, in this new struggling to find funds for prescription world of physical distancing, bots are drugs. turning out to be a bit of a blessing. Not I think in some ways, Covid-19 has only do bots allow businesses to safely created a sort of time warp. It has connect with consumers, but they are accelerated some trends that would also keeping kids entertained and are have taken years to take hold and made available on demand. As we get on the some things obsolete other side, there will be a that had years to go. I greater acceptance of bots also want to remind you in day-to-day B2C that we don’t live in a Covid-19 is just one interactions. Beyond the single-event world. Siris and Alexas, we’ll see Covid-19 is just one influencing force, more everyday bot-to- influencing force, and and there will be consumer engagements, there will be many other many other changes, such as delivering changes, such as groceries, making government such as government policing safer and filling in interventions and interventions and the void when friends are business responses, that business responses, unavailable. follow. With that in mind, that follow. here are just some Home Is Where the Heart changes that I see (and Job, and Bank, and sticking with us for the long Gym) Is term. As much as people are impatient to get out of their homes and Buying from Those Who Share My Values go back to routine life, the lockdown There is a lot of anger, frustration, and a experience will elevate the importance of sense of loss with this pandemic. People housing in the years to come. Consumers have lost loved ones, jobs, freedoms, and have become used to working from so much more to this crisis. This deep home, getting food and wine delivered at sense of resentment will induce more their doorsteps, and even getting exercise value-driven buying decisions. And, when at home. And they don’t mind the short I say value, I don’t mean value for money. commute from their bedroom to the Consumers will act in alignment with their computer for work, either. So, the beliefs. If you’re the mom-and-pop shop question is, will we see the renewed that served the community during the consumption of large houses in the crisis, went out of your way to keep future? Will consumers be willing to outfit employees safe, then you will be their homes with more technology and rewarded. What businesses do for their conveniences in the future? I believe the

57 answer is a resounding and haircuts? Why not? yes. As work from home, From this experience will banking from home, come innovative gym from home, take solutions that will make off, people will spend business happen from more to be comfortable virtually anywhere at home. . An Innovation Boom Is Entrepreneurs Virtual Is Very Real on the Horizon have been Virtual tours, online Entrepreneurs have stymied. Those orders and zoom parties! been stymied. Those who These are some ways are used to taking risks, who are used society has been pulling chasing dreams, and to taking risks, together during this crisis. bringing ideas to life chasing In the coming years, have been holed up in dreams, and we’ll see greater their homes, waiting. All adoption of virtual that energy, all those bringing ideas technologies. Even the ideas are about to be to life have so-called essential tasks unleashed as the world been holed up that need to be handled gets back to business. in person will have virtual This will mean newer in their homes, alternatives. Could we services, better products, waiting. have virtual surgeries and more choices for

58 consumers. As I have stated, in some of rights lies. Consumers will eventually the other points above, the way determine what level of intrusion is consumers adapt their behaviour will permissible for the greater good. The key depend on many factors. This will be will be to make sure one doesn’t come at another defining factor that will counter the cost of another. the loss caused by Covid-19. As a result of these changes, the world will become more connected, more digital, Brace for Short-Term Demand Shock and and conscious of its actions. There will be Long-Term Demand Glut some lasting changes and some not-so- Over the next year or two, we may see a lasting adjustments in the years to come. demand shock as China is experiencing For government agencies creating or just emerging from the lockdown phase. implementing public policy or brands Even though businesses looking to sell services and are open, consumers products to consumers, I will are rationing their funds give you the same advice and not really rushing to In combating this that I share with my spend money. That’s clients. That is, give natural given the highly contagious consumers a seat at the conditioning during the coronavirus, we’re table and let them co- quarantine period of also finding out create the future with segmenting “essential” where the balancing you. That is because if versus “non-essential” you build your future on expenses. We saw this point between the foundation of happen after the Great collective rights and consumer trust, it will last Recession, and this individual rights lies. the test of time. behaviour may very well take hold in the first few months following the [Author’s Introduction: “reopening” of economies Arijit Banerjee is an around the world. However, in the long award-winning creative marketer and term, I do see demand bouncing back. martech specialist. A natural leader, Arijit Just wait for the all-clear messages to be founded Consumer51 in 2011, a new type sounded out a few times, and consumers of marketing agency driven by a will start planning vacations and trips consumer centric philosophy. He has again. distinguished his company by challenging his team to come from the heart, say Individual Privacy versus Collective more with less, and create experiences Security that matter. From digital marketing to Imagine if we all had medical chips prototype development and multicultural embedded in us that could check for the messaging, Consumer51 has been a presence of antibodies or viruses in our growth catalyst for businesses of all sizes, bodies. Would that have made it easier ranging from startups to Fortune 500 for the world to counter this disease? clients. Arijit is regarded as one of the Perhaps. But it would have also put at risk pioneers in the field of multicultural our individual privacy. In combating this marketing. He has created commercials highly contagious Coronavirus, we’re also targeting Indians and Asians in the U.S. for finding out where the balancing point major brands, including Walmart, between collective rights and individual McDonald’s, and Lexus.]

59 Economy and Commerce

“Stay-Home Economy”: A New Reality in Post Covid World

Seasoned Journalist turned On the other hand, the sky is azure blue Academic, Prof. Mrityunjoy again as nature is slowly but surely reclaiming its lost space. Chatterjee deliberates on the emerging “Stay-Home” We Are in a Post Covid World. economy in the post Covid The recent trends are all set to have far world. reaching impact on the economy, both short and long term. Both consumers and business would change. These forced behavioural changes usher in a new he roads are empty. The factory reality – the “Stay At Home Economy”. chimneys are not spewing toxic Tchemicals in the air. No vehicle is Origin causing line pollution. Schools and The word ‘Otaku’, originally a Japanese Colleges are closed. Public gathering are pop word referred to ‘geeks’, has a strict no no! People are indoors, transformed and has been broadly known practising social distancing. in Taiwan as “people who stay at home”.

60 Thanks to the rapid Based on past market development of the research, most online shopping industry, consumers still consider it is common for retail stores as an consumers nowadays to influential part in their switch among different “Path to Purchase”, purchase channels. especially for high-end The Internet has products or products provided consumers a that require using faster and easier way to The Internet experience, such as get things they need, has provided audiovisual products, and changed the furniture, and so on. In traditional shopping consumers a fact, it is common that environment and faster and consumers go to retail reduced consumers’ trips easier way to stores first to try out and to stores. get things they decide which product People are being urged they want to get, and to work remotely from need, and then go back home and home and this trend is changed the turn to online stores, and here to stay. This traditional pick up the product with pandemic only has the best bargain. given a chance for a trial shopping Therefore, it is important run on a large scale. This environment. for retailers to integrate trend is a silver lining in both the physical and the crisis. For employees, online stores, to give benefits include saving consumers no incentive on commute and more to switch to other flexibility when it comes retailers. For example, to work-life balance. For employers, the pluses are establishment cost- saving and enhanced productivity. Through the internet, it is easy for consumers to obtain information about others’ product-using experience. The rise of YouTubers and live- streamers, who film or stream videos about their product experience, makes it even easier for consumers to know what a product is about without the limitation of photos or words.

61 retailers can offer consumers price discounts, longer warranty or better after- sales service for consumers who have visited the physical store and purchased from the same online retailer. What retailers need now is an overall market research to help them investigate the consumers’ “Path to Purchase”, and to develop a strategy that integrates the roles of both physical and online stores throughout their consumers’ purchasing behaviour.

Encouragement to WFH A number of HR heads see the trend a permanent feature in the post Covid emerging economy. Commenting on the issue, Rajkamal Vempati, the Executive Vice President and Head – Human Resources at Axis Bank, says, “Work-from- home is here to stay.” For a bank, functions such as customer service roles, phone banking, HR and corporate office These shifts are also likely to change how functions, which do not require meeting people work and shop far into the future customers, could be the ones to be first and accelerate the pace of changes considered for remote working. “Nearly already underway. 20-30 per cent of the people can work The hardest-hit industries – hospitality, virtually going ahead,” says Joydeep travel, and entertainment – will make a Dutta Roy, Head, Strategic HR and HR comeback; other industries might take Integration at Bank of Baroda. Sandeep long to recover. Kohli, Partner and Talent Leader at EY Organizations will see value in remote India, see WFH as a factor in increasing work and allow employees to continue it ease of doing business and cutting costs. after the pandemic passes. “WFH is poised to become an increasingly Consumer and shoppers may be less acceptable norm as we have seen in interested in going to the grocery store many countries,” says Ramkumar once they’ve grown accustomed to Ramamoorthy, Chairman at Cognizant home delivery. While many businesses will India. struggle with the shift to a stay-home “Any company that would have shied economy, both companies and content away from it earlier, would not have a publishers in the following verticals are problem now with the IT infrastructure poised to thrive, especially though a being put in place,” said Azfar Hussain, relationship called affiliate marketing. the Group Head – Organization and Leaders of the industries and businesses Talent Development at diversified looking to reposition their offerings might conglomerate RPG. take note and re-strategize their policies HR heads also say arrangements such as to suit the demands of time and the hot-desking will become more common, emerging concept – The Stay At Home bringing down establishment costs. Economy.

62 Direct to Consumer Brands off school. Health apps like Noom will also Home delivery services have been surging see increased interest from people, who in the past decade, but as people are will want to keep track of their health encouraged to avoid crowded goals while they’re stuck at home. supermarkets and big box retailers, direct- to-consumer providers of clothing, Games, Toys and Projects over-the-counter medicines, cleaning Parents, especially working parents, are supplies, and even home decor will see scrambling to keep children entertained an influx of new customers. It’s fair to while they are home and isolated assume many new customers will alongside their parents. You can expect continue buying from these brands after to see families invest in toys, to keep their the pandemic has passed. Buyers will be children occupied, as well as board also looking for publishers and content games, projects and puzzles that can be websites that spotlight the latest deals done as a family in the evening and on and advise on the best products and weekends. Hasbro, which currently has these sites should expect five of the 10 top-selling board a huge surge in traffic. games on Amazon, has major potential here. Remote Work and You can expect Influencer parenting Education Support other remote bloggers are already It is likely that millions of putting together lists of employees and students software providers their favourite items in will spend significant to experience similar these categories and time teleworking and up-ticks in sharing them broadly. participating in distance demand as more Your business may want learning. As a result, to consider partnering there will likely be a spike employees work with them. in demand for items to remotely. ease this transition such Food Delivery as laptops, flexible cell As consumers are phone plans, headsets, increasingly avoidant of monitors and superior Wi-Fi. Businesses public spaces, the restaurant industry will that provide this enabling technology and likely be hit the hardest. Because people equipment can capitalize on this with will be eating at home as often as special pricings and promotions. possible, direct to consumer meal prep companies will have the chance to serve Physical and Mental Health Apps an increasing number of home diners. Two needs will immediately appear for And as with direct to consumer vendors, many who are isolated due to Covid-19 – these businesses may gain customers who the need to exercise at home, and the try their services for the first time and stick need to relieve the added stress of with them well after the Covid-19 threat dealing with the pandemic. Brands like has dissipated. ClassPass can draw customers to their Companies who deliver will also need to database of online yoga, pilates and HIIT recruit thousands of new delivery people classes. Meditation apps like Headspace in the coming months to accommodate and Calm will provide opportunities for demand. So, advertisers who can help users to unwind after a long day of solitary promote these opportunities will do well, work or managing a household full of kids and college students who are home early

63 eyeballs, they’ll become key places for advertisers to invest in, especially to reach younger buyers. E-sports will also see a surge in popularity. While in-arena e-sports events will be cancelled, these video game leagues are prepared to move entirely online – an industry that may grow very fast and become highly valuable to advertisers.

Streaming Media Streaming giants such as Netflix and Disney+ were already dominating the entertainment landscape, and they’ll only see demand increase. For working parents, Disney will help carry the burden of keeping kids entertained so that parents can work during business hours, should be good targets to earn some and in-home movie nights will become a extra income. leading social activity for individuals, couples, small friend groups and families. Audiobooks and E-Books With limited public social activities, kids Virtual and Video Tools and adults will need to find ways to pass Even as the stock market plunged in the time. While purchasing physical books past two weeks, the videoconferencing may not be practical during the leader Zoom is one of the few stocks up pandemic, consumers will find the this year, and is earning press coverage instantaneous accessibility of eBooks and for giving services to schools for free. Audiobooks enticing when they are You can expect other remote software facing another weekend stuck in the providers to experience similar up-ticks in house. This will be another area where demand as more employees work Amazon will succeed with the easy remotely and government and non-profits access of Kindle, and audiobook vendors learn how to go digital and virtual. like Audible can thrive as well. Armed with new technologies and There’s also an opportunity for publishers, economy trends, companies and who create book reviews and businesses should pay due attention and recommend book lists as people research think forward to plan for success. what to read and listen to during their time at home. [Author’s Introduction: Journalist turned Gaming and E-sports academic administrator, Prof. Mrityunjoy Video games are a dominant market Chatterjee has over 35 years of force as is, and they’re the perfect experience in mainstream media and activity for both parents and kids who are education industries. Widely travelled, he isolated at their homes. Not only will has held coveted positions across media game-sellers profit, but online gaming and academia. Mrityunjoy is presently the platforms will see a significant up-tick and CEO-Chancellor’s Cell at Adamas with these platforms drawing so many University in Kolkata.]

64 People Why Are They Here Is the New Norm, Not WFH

Wharton-trained, award- winning journalist and writer Shantanu Guha Ray goes deep into the human tragedy that the Covid-19 crisis has caused in the Indian Capital city of Delhi.

t’s been a quarter of a century since Michael Jackson sang They Don’t Care IAbout Us, a protest song that remains – till date – one of the most controversial and ills of the poor and the homeless. pieces Jackson ever composed. The song In a Covid-struck world, the mirror’s was accompanied by two music videos absence is being felt badly. shot in Pelourinho, the historic city of In India, anxiety over the deadly virus and Salvador, and in Dona Marta, a favela of the fear of death has united a billion plus Rio de Janeiro. Many tried to stop the Indians like never before. Everyone and shooting but residents of the area were everything is off the streets, including happy, hoping their problems would be those who live on footpaths and cannot made visible to a wider audience. One work from home. The Indian Capital – like video was shot in the streets, the other in other cities – has turned into a ghost town, a prison containing footages of multiple everyone is extra careful to keep outsiders human rights abuses. away from homes. Back off, back off, Jackson wanted to raise a mirror to the back off scream residents from their world that deliberately ignored the pains condominiums, they are keeping salaries

65 messages, many have been found standing in their balconies with portable loudspeakers for a game of Tambola. There is unity in beating the stress. Divide comes only when the poor come close. Politicians, always squabbling over issues ranging from defence deals to court judgements to lack of funds for development projects, have suddenly united. Everyone is following diktats issued by the Central for guards, garbage government; there is no collectors and maids at opposition because of the gates in sealed the fear of bearing the envelopes. The act, on brunt of the pandemic’s the face of it, looks very unceasing spread. Every insensitive, very inhuman. state government wants India is not only seeing a low figure of social distancing, the Coronavirus patients. world’s second most Why not? A higher figure populous nation is would bring a stigma of witnessing a fast a lifetime. Some states, emerging trend in sadly, have even started human behaviour. fudging numbers. Doctors treating Coronavirus patients are Delhi Is a Changed City spending long hours in And at the heart of the hospitals. When they crisis is Delhi, once return home, they face described by author isolation and insults. In India, Rana Dasgupta as a city Across the city, posters anxiety over living on its wheels have come up (read powerful cars of the deadly identifying houses under powerful men). The fear quarantine, as if the virus and the has been a great houses have leprosy fear of death leveller, the city is not patients. Panicky Indians has united a witnessing anymore have shared the 1977 divided influence, no billion plus Bee Gees one is talking about chartbuster Stayin Indians like newly acquired assets Alive through WhatsApp never before. and no one is flaunting

66 connections. Everyone is reminding the delivery boys from Zomato and Swiggy other that USA’s total dead count is over have been beaten up by security guards. 37,000, the most for a single country and a The fear of death, claim social scientists, is billion plus India — where a few have died driving Indians to a strange frenzy. — is still struggling to contain the virus. The Everyone wants a gate with locks to keep virus has pushed India’s conspicuous outsiders away. They have found an consumers underground; they do not excuse to enforce the government’s call want to seek visibility. Rather than brag for social distancing. about their money or show it off, they are And then, there are other problems. keeping quiet about their advantages, describing themselves as normal. No one How Is Delhi Dealing with Its Poor wants to say that they have returned from Populace? London or Spain, they are saying that they The Indian Capital does not have Soul have returned from next door Sonepat, Kitchens (like in Chennai or Mumbai) even Vrindavan, home to India’s Love where the poor can come for meals God Krishna. throughout the day and India’s big social night. Some volunteers are distancing business has making efforts to supply wreaked havoc on The Coronavirus cooked meals to the those who eat, sleep homeless who do not and live on the streets, crisis has suddenly have the cash to go to among them the brought up the departmental stores, do country’s half a million negative side of this not have homes to work beggar population. For high inequality where for offices. them, class never But such Samaritans are mattered. But now, their the poor are left to very low in numbers. very existence has come fend for themselves. Worse, no definitive under threat. So they mapping has ever been want to be safe. One done for the homeless in night, right after Prime India. Hence, no one Minister Narendra Modi’s knows how many poor second address to the nation, violence and homeless have been affected in the erupted in a South Delhi neighbourhood Coronavirus crisis. where three girls from Manipur were Beggars, who form a large chunk of the taunted and pushed away from a homeless, are the most vulnerable. In grocery store because people in the normal times, they earned off the streets market mistook them for Chinese. Among and cooked frugal meals at their those triggering the chaos were doctors, makeshift homes near the highways, engineers, bank employees, even rich under the Capital’s gigantic flyovers. But real estate developers. Eventually, cops now, they have all been shunted along were called to escort the girls to their with their children, who would play I-spy home. The girls were, obviously, shaken by under streetlights. Everyone wants Delhi the violent reaction. Elsewhere, residents clean, everyone wants Delhi safe, had tried their best to kick out air everyone wants Delhi silent. There is, of hostesses and crew of airlines from the course, justification in what the neighbourhoods, blaming them as carriers government and the cops are doing. of Coronavirus. In some places, bank There is also no justification at the way the officials have been ostracized and food poor have been left alone at the height

67 government. “Government Babus will never help the poor.” Today, I feel the need for a few Shyam Paglas in India! Or a handful of Soul Kitchens!

Inequality Is Still a Factor The Coronavirus crisis has suddenly brought up the negative side of this high inequality where the poor are left to fend for themselves. Majority of India does not want a real neighbourhood existence. People have their justification in place. The government has announced a of this gigantic crisis. nationwide lockdown, which includes I am reminded of Shyam travel restrictions and the closure of most Bandhopadhyay, a retired clerk whom I stores apart from groceries and met way back in 1999 in Kolkata who pharmacies. The government (read the worked tirelessly to collect data on the PM) has also asked Indians to take care of city’s beggars, now estimated at a little the poor and the homeless. over 45,000. Bandhopadhyay told me But the majority is not keen to follow the why it was important for the nation Prime Minister’s diktat. The poor is the (read the government) to give dignity to responsibility of the government, no one the beggars and not leave them on the else. After all, everyone wants to keep streets as nobodies. “Dignity is more Coronavirus statistics in control, the important than a handful of coins people homeless must stay out of the iron gates. throw at the beggars,” said The government’s financial packages are Bandhopadhyay, whose work drew praise meant for those in the WFH (work from from the city’s greatest humanitarian, home) category. Streets are homes to the Mother Teresa. homeless. WFH does not apply to them. Bandhopadhyay reminded me about They fill India’s latest category. It is WATH, Kolkata’s author, Subodh Ghosh, whose or Why Are They Here? short story about a beggar’s death shook The beggars have disappeared; the the city’s conscience. The story went like famished faces of migrant labourers are this: A beggar was run over by a speeding stuck on the highways. India’s rich and truck. When he fell, coins he had burgeoning middle class have displayed collected scattered all over the road, their hypocrisy like never before. blood-soaked coins a reflection of the beggar’s deep discomfort with life despite having a decent amount of cash. [Author’s Introduction: Wharton-trained Bandhopadhyay reminded me how the Shantanu Guha Ray is an award-winning rich remained elite and snobby, wore journalist who lives in Delhi with his wife, wealth on their sleeves but rarely came daughter and two pets. He is the India together to put in place a fool-proof plan Editor of Central European News (CEN), a for the homeless. Bandhopadhyay – Vienna-based feature news agency. He is fondly called Shyam Pagla – told me why much-acclaimed for the award winning the poor should be the responsibility of book – ‘Target’, takes a closer look at the the super-wealthy and not the NSEL payment crisis.]

68 People Perfect Work-from-Home Solutions for Organizational Heads in the Post Covid World

Ex-IITian and noted techie Kingshuk Adhikary deliberates on the trend of working from home in the post Covid-19 world.

Executive Summary y treating WFH (work-from-home) as a new “philosophy of work”, rather Bthan a few cosmetic changes to existing behaviours or processes, many organizations will transition easily to the 21st century work culture, in the new economy.

Introduction At the onset, let me calm your nerves. This age of humans is over, it is the age of article is not about AI, IoT, Blockchain etc. machines. Humans are only meant to fill This is about tried and tested technologies the gaps. Ever since Turing invented that have long existed. However, they computers (and won the Second World make perfect solutions in the post Covid War almost singlehandedly), the world world and the new emerging economy. has changed. As I write this, I am staring with Since then, the real task of top amusement at word documents that are management has to be seen as “looking titled “Standards and Best Practices for at a screen”. A screen that shows KPIs, Remote Working” to be read, signed, health of the organization, order books, accepted by employees as they work finances etc. A “Deus ex machina” that is from home. I am amused because the real organization, where people are humans continually fail to accept that the replaceable components of a machine.

69 Harsh but true. This article is thus written for those who believe only in machines, not in human beings.

Is My Organization’s WFH Effort Going Well? There are three quick checks one can do to find out if a WFH scenario is “efficient” or not. Do my people think deeply enough about properly “naming” a task? Just that, giving a proper name to each and every task. Is an email platform or chat or video calling software the primary means of handling WFH? Are “video meetings” going on, same as earlier “physical meetings”? One cannot automate in the virtual world what is work. If emails and chats originally haphazard in are the primary methods the real world. Therefore, of working, or video Humans the “good habits” to meetings, then most continually fail remote working begin in likely the work is being the physical world. expanded by the to accept that Proper naming of a task “physical” people, not the age of or job makes it reduced. humans is recognizable, sizable Task-management tools, and traceable. Very few platforms that are over, it is the people appreciate that specifically designed to age of this “naamkaran of handle tasks, trace them machines. tasks” is the key to a from their conception to successful transition to a their completion and WFH culture. beyond, are the basic Emails and chats are not tools for WFH. traceable to particular tasks, hence are useless Why Is the “Task Name” for WFH. They merely So Important? enable many people to This is easier to “hide” behind the understand, if we first appearance of doing understand this: “who is

70 an employee?” The correct answer is “anyone who has a valid username and password to the organizational system.” If you take away the username/ password, an employee ceases to be an employee. Understand this single concept, and you understand a lot about the 21st century workplace. Your employee could be one metre away from you, or 5,000 kms away, it simply does not matter. All that really matters is the “task” the employee does and its tracking, its completion, its aggregation into larger tasks. So, if a task is well named, well understood by many people from its name itself, its size or granularity estimable, it helps a lot. For example, if you call the task “sending a man to the moon”, that immediately suggests smaller sub-tasks are needed to be created, named until a task becomes doable by a remote worker in a few hours, sitting at home.

Workflows Most people have a vague idea about what a workflow is, as indeed they have a vague idea about most technology jargon. A workflow is not jargon, however. It is a series of well-defined steps (or stages) by which a task moves from conception to completion, and beyond. Most good task-tracking systems allow multiple workflows to be defined in them. A sales task workflow is different from an accounting workflow. A task is assigned to a person, who moves it to the next stage, say “drafted”, and another moves it to say “approved”, “corrected” or finally “completed”. This simple combination (a task management tool + customized workflows) is the general rule of doing tasks remotely, known to all virtual workers from Alaska to Australia. It existed much

71 before Covid, and half the world’s work perpetuity, so even HR cannot really was already being done this way, by the ignore a bad employee. efficient companies at least. There is There is no question of a master-slave nothing new in all this, all this is at least 20 relationship, no question of ownership, years old. rights to accept, approve, unless allowed by the machine, the underlying tools. Roles, Permissions and Responsibilities Thus employers (and managers) who When we mentioned “an employee is just thrive in a feudal structure, enjoy it, should a username and password”, we did not probably not implement WFH. mention one more important thing, the The employee is only expected to role of this username/ password i.e. this complete X number of tasks in Y time. To employee. expect anything “more” is not efficiency, Each employee has a “role”. This role is it is merely unsustainable stupidity. As WFH nothing but a set of permissions over becomes widespread, an efficient certain files, certain documents. These employee could easily hold three remote permissions decide jobs at a time. So don’t fool visibility, editing rights yourself with “over the etc. shoulders monitoring”. If your WFH is to succeed, the role of No Meetings every employee, Anyone who has This is of course the most permissions and rights a valid username impossible ask from over documents, must and password to managers in a WFH be clearly understood, the organizational scenario. Most managers listed, and implemented only collect work done by in the task-management system is an their subordinates and system. This is not easy. employee. present it as their own. But without a clear idea They can neither create of these roles, if you start tasks nor assign them well WFH and expose every nor aggregate them, or employee to every manage their lifecycles document, that is a bit and risks. hazardous. The umbrella under which all this inefficiency is hidden, is called No “Beck and Call”. No Fixed Times. “meetings”. In a proper WFH environment, It goes without saying that when an meetings become less, shorter, and more employee works from home, he/ she stops of a bottom-upwards phenomenon than being a slave and becomes truly a top-down thing. productive. The useless employees, the ones who were only “showing” how useful Improved Hardware and Software they were hiding their inefficiencies and It goes without saying that if your lack of knowledge, are completely employees do not have high-speed exposed. Why? Because at every bandwidth at home, large screen TVs, moment, their usernames/ passwords are HDMI cables, efficient laptops, and your being tracked, their personal office system is unable to handle so many contributions (under the task- VPN loads, you are building a very slow management system) are available for distributed system. Eventually, slow upload the records. And the records are in or download of files will frustrate your

72 remote employees. So the “what is a file, to your Not just bandwidth, a lot of efficiency organization?” question is not a trivial one. comes from your company’s selection of Here again, you may need expert help. “tools”. Some companies are very strict about use of specific tools, do not allow Conclusion virus-laden downloads by the employee Rethink the whole WFH phenomenon. Do (remember you cannot control this as well you really want WFH in your organization? as you could under your company’s LAN, Or, would you prefer a big organized your employee is now on a public “fixed place of work”, physical presence, network). visibility etc. or something in-between? There are indeed some tricky issues here. There are many considerations, besides You may need expert help here. the ones already mentioned above. Real estate rentals, overheads of estate What Is Your “File-Savvy-Ness”? maintenance, unnecessary headaches of This is a critical question. The “file” is both security and safety of employees, the raw material and finished product of commuting, parking, fixed timings are remote working. Which type of files you some of the obvious ones. deal with, and up to what level they Not so obvious are other things. For contribute to your deliverables, is example, when Edison first lit up a few important to estimate. blocks with electricity, no one could have If you can see a “file” as your final predicted that every place on earth product or deliverable, then you are would have electricity. lucky. Most likely, your whole organization Some changes happen very fast. can work remotely. You can select talent Especially, when the top persons want it and employees from all over the world, and practice it themselves. keep a close watch on the task tracker, deliver product, receive payment, and manage a completely virtual [Author’s Introduction: A pass out from IIT- organization. You do not ever have to Kharagpur, Kinshuk Adhikary has 28 years physically meet a single employee. of experience in the industry – 16 years in [Before you rush to object, right now as a “pure technical” role as software we speak, there are at least 500 architect and 12 years in high value companies in the world of reasonable size business development roles. He has held that are on 100 per cent remote working. senior positions with renowned Just do a Google search, or go say companies such as Hyundai and L&T. He here: https://weworkremotely.com/ has also held the Head of Technology remote-companies]. You may think, oh, I am a manufacturer. roles in smaller organizations with tech My work is factory work. Well, for you, and business responsibilities. He has been there are 3D file formats coming soon. instrumental in architecting (designing As you go deeper into remote working and creating) several enterprise software and find efficiencies there, you may have products for U.S/ U.K companies. He to subscribe to a lot of SaaS software and promotes management with a strong allow your employees to use them for technology culture. Kinshuk is hands-on sharing files, working on the same files and is easily conversant with cutting- simultaneously, managing different edge technologies. He still learns IT/ versions of a file etc. software, now as a hobby.]

73 People

A Letter From Italy Covid-19: A Social Challenge than a Pandemic in India

Ace scientist facing the worst crisis since World War II. A Dipanjan Bhattacharya tiny pathogen has brought the world to its knees causing not only a global delineates the problems pandemic but also the destruction of that will accompany the economies and social structures. measures to contain When Coronavirus started spreading in India from the middle of March, the Covid-19 in India. Indian government responded with a nationwide lockdown from March 25 to April 14 and later extended it further to n December 2019, when China May 3. The lockdown, having been informed the world of the novel proven effective earlier in China and Italy, ICoronavirus for the first time, no one is the most accepted approach globally had any idea about the destruction it to contain the spread of the virus at a would cause in the coming months. rapid rate. China has successfully Human civilization around the globe is restricted the spread of the virus from

74 Wuhan province by about the probable crisis using this method. Italy they may face unlike the was able to restrict 44 poor, middle class per cent of its cases people of India. within Lombardi area and 82 per cent of the Diversity: India is almost cases within Lombardi as big as the whole of and neighboring four Europe in terms of districts. population, cultural and Now many experts are natural diversity. Just like questioning the we observed that the It is difficult to effectiveness of the peak of this pandemic is prolonged lockdown in happening in different stop people India. Every country has countries in Europe at from attending its own battle to fight different times; the peak a religious depending on its in different Indian states gathering in a strength and socio- will come in different economic condition. times as well. The mosque, What may have worked complete lock down in temple, church for Europe may not be each European country or a the best model for India. is equivalent to the state- To understand and wise lock down of any gurudwara. develop a successful typical Indian state. strategy to fight Covid-19 in the Indian context, we need to analyze why lockdown is working so well in several European countries and find out where India stands in comparison to these factors.

Economy and Social Security: In the European nations, social security structure guarantees unemployment benefits, free healthcare and subsidized education system for all the citizens or permanent residents of the country. This makes the common people financially less vulnerable and they can stay at home for a few months without worrying

75 Economy and Infrastructure: In comparison to India, countries in Europe have less population, less population density and negligible percentage of people below poverty level. The financial capacity of the state is also five to six times higher than that of India (GDP per capita). They have a better medical infrastructure. So locking down the country for one or two months while undergoing rapid testing to eradicate the virus may damage their economy but they can still afford to do so. The same is not the case for India.

Religious, Social Practices and unscientific treatments Superstition: Changing a and assurances, which society takes trivialize the pandemic in generations. Education is the mind of common a key factor that people. Increase in encourages this change. social violence and In India, the literacy rate What may intolerance is creating is lower than that in have worked an additional problem Europe. A large number for Europe may for the medical staff and of people believe in the administration. divine interventions and not be the best quacks more than they model for India. Employment believe in doctors. Issue: Unemployment is Religion takes a priority in going to be the biggest most cases. It is difficult headache for the to stop people from working-class Indians. At attending a religious present, small businesses, gathering in a mosque, the hotel industry, the temple, church or a tourism industry and gurudwara. Then, there retail chain businesses are gurus from all are severely affected. religions offering Total unemployment of

76 access to usable toilets and 32 per cent of the people practice open defecation as of September 2018. More than 80 per cent of rural households do not get tap water-supply at home and they have to rely on public water resource. According to the 2014 data, 24 per cent of the urban population of India lives in the slums. In the slums, several families use a single common public toilet and share the same public tap for collecting water. In a typical slum, six to ten people live in an eight feet by eight feet room without proper light and air circulation. A proper social isolation is practically impossible in this scenario.

What Is Next? It is evident that India cannot succeed with a complete lockdown without taking care of these social issues. For the economically backward people of India, the daily struggle for survival is no less important than their struggle against the virus. According to the estimation of National Sample Survey (NSS) and USA has reached a mammoth 22 million in Periodic Labor Force Surveys (PLFS), the the second week of April and it is still jobs of around 13 crores non-agricultural rising. The situation is same for Europe as workers are at immediate risk. well as other developed nations in Asia. It Agriculture is the backbone of Indian is understandable that these nations economy and the society. A lockdown at might tend to reduce the percentage of this time has already affected the Rabi immigrant workforce from different foreign nations including India. Similarly, the restrictions in frequent traveling and probable change in foreign policies may It is evident that create unemployment in the multinational India cannot companies. More than 80 per cent of India’s workforce is employed in the succeed informal sectors and one-third of them are with a complete working as casual labourers, earning on lockdown day-to-day basis. A great fraction of them without taking is going to lose their job. care of these Is Social Distancing Feasible?: A survey- social issues. conducted by National Statistical Organization (NSO) found that 28.7 per cent of India’s rural households lacks

77 crop cultivation. Now it is the time for their daily survival. It is becoming obvious farmers to prepare for seeding of the that India may need about a year to crops before monsoon. If the farmers, finish significant amount of testing of the fishermen, and the people involved in people in the present rate of testing and animal farming do not start their work the disease will grow much faster even immediately, a massive food crisis will with a complete national lockdown. In occur within a year’s time and it can the present scenario, we shall not be able have a catastrophic effect. The to stop the spread of the virus but if we government also acknowledges these continue the economic shut down, we problems. may start a famine-like Different governmental situation in India in addition and non-governmental to the pandemic. organizations are Around 42 per cent One of the biggest working hard to supply of migrant advantages of India is the basic food and workers do not that India is a country of ration to the people young people with only below the poverty line. have any ration six per cent of the But around 42 per cent card and India population over 65 years of migrant workers do needs to include of age (most vulnerable not have any ration segment of the people card and India needs to them for the ration for this disease are the include them for the supply. elderly). According to ration supply. Moreover, the report of ICMR, the they also need some cash initial results indicate that flow into their account for 80 per cent patients are

78 asymptomatic in nature. It gives India an opportunity to implement herd immunity by bringing back the young healthy people into normal working life and completely isolating senior citizens or the people with critical medical history. Herd immunity is a standardized process to safeguard vulnerable population by creating large percentage of population immune to a virus through infection. The dangerous part of removing the complete lockdown and implementing herd immunity will be the possibility of rapid spread of virus, which may poor, marginal and tribal people of the overburden and crash the entire country. In a country where 22 per cent of healthcare system. the population live below the poverty The government should implement level, (according to the 2012-census), an strategic planning for isolating the highly economic shutdown will kill more people infected localities and implement zonal due to hunger than the virus itself. It is the lockdown. At the same time, they should time for a bold strategic plan from the also socially isolate the elderly vulnerable Government. people from their families. Government can even think of moving them to the local school buildings or government [Author’s Introduction: Currently, Dipanjan buildings and provide them Bhattacharya is working as the Head of accommodation and food. Imaging Development Unit of IFOM, the India is having a great railway network. FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology at The government should utilize the railway Milan in Italy. Dipanjan did his B.Sc. and network and take control of transporting M.Sc. in Physics from the University of rations and migrant workers maintaining Kalyani and joined Raman Research basic safety and social distancing. In a Institute in Bangalore for his Ph.D. During short time, we cannot create enough his Ph.D., he worked in a collaboration hospitals in every corner of the country. programme between RRI and National However, moving hospitals on trains can Center for Biological Science, TIFR in fill the gap. As peak of the disease will not Biophysics. After his Ph.D., he joined the happen all over the country at the same Bioengineering Department of time, hospital trains with dedicated Massachusetts Institute of Technology medical facilities to fight the Coronavirus (MIT) for his postdoctoral work. Following can move from one infected zone to this, he moved to Singapore to work as a another, depending upon the Research Scientist at Singapore-MIT requirement. Alliance for Research and Technology We are in a situation where we have to Center (SMART), an offshore research accept that even if we continue this kind programme of MIT, funded by National of massive lockdown in the country, we research foundation of the Singapore shall not be able to stop the spreading of Government. His multi-disciplinary interest this virus. Rather, we shall end up is extended to the socioeconomic and completely demolishing our economy cultural issues in human life and a vast and it will have a horrific effect on the range of traveling.]

79 World Issues

The Long and the Short of the World Post-Covid-19: A View

A renowned educationist, current information suggests it is likely to Dr. Manas Paul writes be anywhere between 10 and 14 months away. Moreover, finding a vaccine, even about the long term and if most pertinent, is only a part of the short term impact of solution. Beyond that, there are issues of Covid-19 on humanity. mass production and its administration. Remember, here it does not imply administering vaccination to a specific portion of the population like the newborns, or elderlies alone, it implies he global pandemic of Covid-19 with administering it to the entire population at its tentacles spread far and wide, large. Truthlessly cutting through societies, What is more likely to be true is that till both rich and poor, is suddenly rendering there are veritable advances in the the human civilisation of the 21st century development of Covid-19 vaccine or the visibly defenceless. virus suddenly enters into slumber as a Humanity is yet to find a way to stop this part of a natural phenomenon, menace beyond the practice of ‘Social lockdowns and social distancing is likely Distancing’ and ‘Lockdowns’. Though to stay in some form or the other. there are enormous efforts underway to If that be true, then the world post-Covid- find a vaccine as a permanent cure, 19 needs to be seen through two lenses –

80 one with the perspective of short run (till limited, low or no demand, but there are the onset of vaccination) and the other also concerns of liquidity shortage to tide more long term, much beyond that. over current conditions. However, be that as it may, both the In the emerging markets (EMs), these long-run and short-run impacts are likely complications got compounded by to remain distributed across (i) Economic, record capital outflows. The IIF capital (ii) Social, and (iii) Behavioural aspects of flows tracker puts the March 2020 outflows the society. from the EMs at a record-breaking USD 83.3 billion overshooting those during the The Economic Impact global financial crisis of 2008, the While the economic impact is the more uncertainty of taper tantrums of 2014 and commonly discussed theme, the other the scare of Chinese devaluation of 2015. two cannot be neglected due to Such amount of outflows has obvious apparent interconnectedness amongst liquidity implications in these markets. them. Government and policymakers across the In the short-term, the most apparent globe have indeed come with up several economic impact is the economic costs packages and provisions to address such of imposed ‘lockdown’ across the globe. disruptions and distortions in economic These are evident in the loss of activity. The US fiscal expansion of USD 2 production, inability to leverage the trillion (11 per cent of GDP) is the services of mass transportation, reduction maximum announced by a country so far. in or no demand for hospitality services, India’s fiscal package of USD 23 billion disruption in the supply chain as well as even if looks minuscule in the range of 0.8 the loss of employment and earnings. per cent to 1.2 per cent of the USD 200 to The lack of visibility on the way the 300 billion suggested by Industry lockdown is likely to pan out is impairing associations, there has been definite steps economic expectations and outlook. taken by RBI as well guided by the Businesses are not only grappling with rhetoric of doing “whatever it takes” to

Non-Resident portfolio flows to EM Stress Episodes for Capital Flows

$ bn $ bn 50 50 Accumulated non-resident portfolio flows to EM since indicated date 25 0

0 -20

-25 -40

-50 -60 China equity 9/8/2008, GFC EM (excl. China) equity -75 -80 5/17/2013, TT Debt 7/26/2015, China Scare Total 1/21/2020, COVID-19 -100 -100 Mar - 18 Sep - 18 Mar - 19 Sep - 19 Mar - 20 t t+15 t+30 t+45 t+60 t+75 t+90

Source: IIF Capital Flows Tracker – April 2020

81 COVID - 19 Stimulus in G20 as of April 2020 as a share of GDP

Japan 0.10% Indonesia 0.20% EU 0.30% India 0.80% S. Korea 0.80% Argentina 1% China 1.20% Italy 1.40% Turkey 1.50% Russia 1.50% France 2% Saudi Arabia 2.70% Brazil 3.50% Germany 4.90% Canada 8.40% Australia 9.70% US 11%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%

Source: Chart created from the data available at https://www.statista.com/statistics/1107572/covid- 19-value-g20-stimulus-packages-share-gdp/

support the economy. impacted where reduced demand The monetary and fiscal stimulus across emanating out of behavioural change the globe is unlikely to provide any manifested in self-isolation, and social significant support to economic activity in distancing is likely to lead to a spike in the near term as its imposed behavioural unemployment initially within the and cultural changes are likely to act as temporary workforce but gradually spilling additional obstacles. over to permanent workers as well. While the services sector, like ITES, banking, The Sociological and Behavioural Impact consultancy etc. can still chug along with As argued earlier, the expectation of the the help of technology, manufacturing, arrival of a new vaccine and its effective including energy and industrial metals, administering across the globe supports would have to bear the brunt. Banks and prospects of continuance in social the financial industry, exposed to distancing and lockdowns in some form or industries witnessing a significant the other till then. Such practices would reduction in demand in the new global be affecting supply chains to take a environment, cannot go untouched longer time to return to normalcy either. affecting supplies. And at the same time, Amidst heightened uncertainty, as the the consumption demand is likely to world grapples with finding a cure to this remain directed to necessities. Eating out, pandemic, investor initiative would be footfalls in malls, mass transportations are driven more towards protecting the value the three major sectors to remain visibly of their ongoing businesses rather than

82 take on added risks of 1. US policies, both new expansions. Though domestic and foreign, this is not to rule out especially with the value buys, witnessed Presidential elections more prominently in down the year. Chinese interests of 2. The escalation in global acquisitions. technological However, amidst this decoupling across major doom and gloom, the powers raising a virtual rising dependence on wall for dependent virtual meetings and countries having to The population, activities can see choose sides, casting a in general, investments in new geographical chill over would be in technology platforms global business. favour of that facilitate such 3. Rising distrust and transitions. nationalism changing policies All this would imply a de- landscape for MNCs. directed growth in global Over the long-run, the towards economic activity not world has to take care only in 2020 but well into of: increased 2021, with all possibilities 1. Impending impact of spending in the of a recovery starting debt overhang. health care only late 2021 to early 2. Rising threats of system and 2022 and gaining pace superbugs. in the latter half of it. The 3. Rising social and infrastructure. recovery, once it starts political sensitivity over gaining momentum, health, education, could well be a V- inequity, and the need shaped at the back of the post Covid-19 fiscal and monetary accommodations across the globe. The financial markets are likely to remain wary with bouts of volatility extending deeper into 2020, possibly start showing its resilience into 2021, gaining in conviction and start gaining in momentum into it.

What We Need to be Mindful of Nonetheless, in the short run, the world needs to be mindful of:

83 for continuous re-skilling of the labour Moreover, there would be political force to remain relevant for technological compulsions to deal with massive innovations happening at a rapid pace. unemployment, loss of life and livelihood. Large scale technology adoption could Despite the ongoing suspicion and be one of the most significant mistrust drifting countries apart across the behavioural changes in the post Covid-19 globe over the origin of Covid-19, one world. With technology dependence can only hope that the humanitarian cost forced across businesses, the corporates so far pushes the world to find a reason to and business houses across industries come together and fight it out. could begin to accept the practice of flexible work hours and [Author’s Introduction: Dr. working from home at One can only Manas Paul is currently a a much broader scale. hope that the Professor in the Area of Online education is humanitarian cost Economics, Environment likely to shed some of and Policy at IMT its perceptional so far pushes the Ghaziabad. Prior to joining disadvantages and world to find a IMT Gaziabad, he was the become more reason to come Strategy Economist with acceptable to society. together and fight SGRF, Ministry of Finance, People, in general, are Sultanate of Oman. His likely to become it out. other assignments were as more finicky about Vice President Business cleanliness and would be and Economics Research willing to pay higher for at Axis Bank, Assistant Vice sourcing raw material and cooked food President at HSBC Global Markets and as from a healthier environment. Chief Economist of Securities Trading On the social front, the population, in Corporation of India Limited. He is a general, would be in favour of policies Doctorate in Economics with 20 years of directed towards increased spending in post Ph.D. experience across banking, the health care system and infrastructure. finance and education sectors.]

84 World Issues A Letter From London Britain and Coronavirus – The Bad, Ugly and Good

Technocrat Jeff Watkins writes a letter from London as to how the Covid-19 crisis is impacting the Brits sociologically, psychologically and politically.

ritain, once a tiny giant punching above its weight in command of Bmuch of the world, is undergoing unprecedented times! We have had it too good in Britain for too long, without credible threats at any kind of scale. Any missteps we’ve made have been decoupled from the consequences and reality, and we’ve forgotten how finely everything hangs in the balance. Our perception of a solid equilibrium was actually nothing but an illusion. This sudden worldwide crisis has brought out the good, the bad and the ugly in many of us, but in uniquely British ways.

85 However, in order not to people dying, that self- end this article on a sour centered idea is being note, I’m going to mentioned less often; misappropriate the now everyone is at risk, classic Spaghetti Western we’re starting to see title as ‘The Bad, the Ugly sense. and the Good’, leaving the positive things I’ve Mental Stresses: observed until the end. However, in any idea (no If there’s one matter how abhorrent), The Bad Brexit: The timing there are usually kernels of this couldn’t have thing we excel of truth. In the first couple been worse for us as let’s at, it’s passive- of weeks, several whole- face it, Britain has been aggres- family murder suicides on the ropes for a while, siveness, and were reported, domestic as our protracted Brexit violence increased by 25 has cost us billions with two very British per cent and as we were no real movement types of slow to announce our alongside our insistence behaviour have protection for the self on reelecting a employed and small government hell-bent on been pushed to businesses, many dismantling our NHS. The the extreme in businesses were forced upshot of this is that a this lockdown to close. But, despite our once powerful empire environment. infection-rate and death has been left in an projections around enfeebled state. Coronavirus, we have not been furnished with Debate about Death: projections around the Mirroring the American other damages we sentiment (as we want to do), many questioned if it was more worthwhile to just accept the death of millions of vulnerable citizens rather than collapsing the economy. I want to believe that people only advocated this out of fear rather than antipathy towards our elderly and sick, even though the numbers show that population reduction actually harms economic growth. But now that we’ve had a number of younger

86 might incur, namely ones concerning the rules don’t apply to them and they will mental health and our economy. force us to tighten restrictions, spoiling it for the majority of us who are being Was It Like the Blitz Bombings during the sensible about things. War?: What came as a surprise, was that restrictions on movement are worse than Nationwide Health Services: Our stretched WW2, where people would huddle NHS (National Health Service) has been together in blacked out homes singing, put to the test by this, with eight doctors being as merry as you can with only a lard dying after exposure. Poignantly, they’ve sandwich for dinner due to extreme food all been immigrants, staying and rationing. I suspect some people would sacrificing their lives for us, despite some take the small chance of being bombed; ugly scenes of xenophobia both during over the isolation many of us are feeling and after Brexit. Finally, the NHS for all the right now. good it does has a poor record on managing mental health issues; A Society Isolated: In when we come out of my opinion, the salient lockdown, many will need problem is that over the help to rebuild our mental last 30 years, Britain has This sudden health. become significantly worldwide more isolated. In many crisis has brought Job Losses and Worries: countries that might out the good, the The financial damage sound bizarre, but many caused by this has people in Britain live bad and the ugly in exposed the great lie of alone, their interactions many of us, but in capitalism; that if you’re being limited to work uniquely British living paycheck to and occasionally paycheck then you’re friends, which aren’t an ways. stupid/ lazy and should option during a work harder to be lockdown. With our skewed successful. That bubble view on work-life balance, burst a few days in, when many of us find the majority of our many national-scale companies either emotional connection purely with furloughed/ laid off their staff or went into colleagues. administration; they couldn’t even make it through a month. As with any crisis, the Two Distinct Kinds of Behaviours: If there’s people who suffered the most have been one thing we excel at, it’s passive- those lowest on the food-chain, the low- aggressiveness, and two very British types paid, unemployed and single mothers. of behaviour have been pushed to the extreme in this lockdown environment. The Ugly Firstly, there’s the “curtain twitcher” Brexit party politician Nigel Farage busybody type watching every recorded a risible 13-minute address, movement for transgressions, encouraged claiming that we’ve been turned into a to report things to the police, leaving “police state” and we should rise up passive-aggressive notes for a shopping against it. He went on to blame the trip that contained “non-essential” items. police-force for dying the famous “Blue The second type is the section of society Lagoon” of Buxton black to stop people who takes our freedom for granted, like using it during lockdown; except that this

87 fake news as we’re too busy saving lives, families and our economy. But people aren’t fact checking, they’re just growing angrier and closed-minded, finding a way to blame foreigners for this (especially the Chinese). We’re embarrassing ourselves with this behaviour, especially as we pride ourselves as a multicultural nation. Worse still than the incident actually aforementioned national happened in 2013 due embarrassments, is that to the lagoon actually our collective Brexit being highly toxic. hubris is coming back to Also the inexplicably haunt us, as we’re famous conspiracy struggling to find people theorist Davie Icke to do the key jobs we’re caused panic around his not interested in like claims that 5G was picking crops, and with causing our bodies to the supply chain from spontaneously create abroad drying up we Coronavirus. This resulted now have national food in people burning down shortages driving the 5G masts in several prices up, and other areas, and given we’re produce being relying more than ever unavailable at any price. on our communications infrastructure, this wasn’t The Good helpful. Come Together: But, it’s I suspect some This crisis has seen many not all bad as I think of the worst of our public there’s a silver lining; people would figures crawl out of the England has mostly take the small woodwork and cause come together, aside chance of more harm. I’m half from pockets of ugliness. expecting Nick Griffin being bombed; People are shopping for (card carrying racist who the infirm, being over the makes Nigel Farage conscientious; those of isolation many seem moderate) to rear out of work have a of us are his head up on YouTube financial plan in place, spewing xenophobic with lenders providing feeling right rhetoric. repayment holidays. now. Now is not the time for Farm shops and local

88 grocers are seeing an uptake in usage Conservative ideal of late-stage and people are supporting local capitalism, that’s no bad thing. businesses, even pre-paying to keep them afloat, and more traditional businesses Less Hatred?: We’re even changing our are adapting quickly to online services, armchair hatred of the world, as although which is in the spirit of our “make do and our ambiguity and dithering caused a lot mend” heritage we engendered during of losses, both life and money, and the wartimes. weakness in our elected party showed through (but for balance, I’m not sure Volunteers and Communities: One thing Labour would have done much better), nobody saw coming was how many we’re becoming more moderate. Our people really wanted to help the nation. opinionated media hurt this process at The volume of people volunteering to be first, spewing out misinformation and an NHS Responder in England has been vitriol. Surprisingly, our media and breathtaking; the initial target was 250,000 politicians have started to behave in a people, but recruitment was paused at more adult fashion, pulling together on 750,000 (which is over 2 per cent of the the really important matters. Perhaps working age population) due to over- some of the Conservative bubble has subscription. burst, and we will start thinking more In lieu of the NHS having the capacity to about how much things like the NHS and provide help, people are really rallying society are really worth to us. together to protect each others’ mental Conclusion health, building up online communities, In conclusion, Britain is more capable of using video-conferencing and phone change and pulling together than we calls more than ever. had ever imagined. We had just gotten lazy and “safe”, and Clean and Green: England is becoming idle hands are the devil’s playground. greener, as modern Britain was a very I believe that some of these lessons will commuter heavy country, with some of stick, because Brexit is still going to the worst employment rights in Europe happen, so we need each other, and a and many employers claiming that it was nation of millions people working together impossible for their workforce to work is going to be preferable to millions of remotely. It’s curious how attitudes can individuals living on a tiny, cold island turn on a dime when a gun is held to their hating each other. head, for many companies tele- commuting is now almost business as usual! [Author’s Introduction: Jeff Watkins is the Chief Engineer for a Digital Consultancy Accepting and Caring Society: England is (AND Digital in the U.K.). He has been a finding its lost sense of society, and Computer Scientist since 1995 and has 22 although many people are accepting years of experience in the software and IT furlough payments, volunteering, dutifully industry. He is also a highly experienced obeying rules around stockpiling, growing Technical Architect. He has worked with their own vegetables, and generally major U.K. government and non- behaving themselves, they still baulk at government projects. Jeff enjoys social the idea that some of it looks a bit like blogging and has active interest in how socialism. Call it what you will, but if it technology impacts the society. He is an moves further away from the expert on electronic music.]

89 Creative World Global Cinema and Pandemics: Past Portrayals and Future Possibilities

Teacher-cum-journalist Dr. selfish too. Dr. Sunayan Bhattacharjee While thousands of migrant workers continue to struggle against the odds gives a rundown on the amid rising unemployment in India (the impact of pandemics on unemployment rate has touched a the cinematic culture. whopping 23 per cent), it seems utterly cruel to talk about cinema. But cinema it is! While we must do whatever we possibly can to help those in distress, the fact remains that we shall continue to stay s the Covid-19 pandemic ravages locked within our homes for some time at the world, we all remain confined least. Given the scenario, it becomes of Ato our homes. While it is perfectly the essence that we make a fruitful use of normal to feel helpless and anxious, there the time. is an effective mechanism to maintain In the prevailing nightmarish setting, sound mental health – watching movies. movies can help us deal with the crisis, at This proposition might seem a little least psychologically. In fact, it wouldn’t preposterous to start with, perhaps a little be an exaggeration to note that we

90 seem to be in the middle be featured in the of a disaster movie following section have ourselves, a movie that is had their moments of still unfolding. Thus, it is brilliance. but natural that we shall tend to tilt towards The Seventh Seal (1957): cinema that resonates A contemplative with our contemporary masterpiece from the predicament. coffers of the Swedish Pandemics have In our genius Ingmar Bergman, constituted an enduring ‘The Seventh Seal’ was subject for movies – the discourse, we set during the Black perfect recipe for shall stay clear Death in Europe. It experiencing dystopia. of the Zombie features a game of While some of the genre partly chess between a knight movies have been and an incarnation of fantastical and deal with because it death. The movie Zombie outbreaks, there doesn’t mirror metaphorically talks have been many others what is about the end of the that have taken a more world. As we are realistic approach in happening grappling with an handling pandemics. around us now. apocalyptic scenario From Ingmar Bergman to ourselves, this movie is a Steven Soderbergh, telling commentary on filmmakers from across the transience of life and generations have dealt the impermanence of with disease outbreaks – both regional and global – in their works of art. Thus it is but imperative that we take a nuanced look at some of the most impactful pandemic movies ever made. The idea is to prepare a bucket list for people, who need an outlet to vent their anxiety in view of the global condition. In our discourse, we shall stay clear of the Zombie genre partly because it doesn’t mirror what is happening around us now. In our list, we shall not make any comparative comment as all the movies that will

91 the world. It is a philosophical take on representation of the pandemic politics. how we are completely helpless when it comes to nature’s fury. ‘The Seventh Seal’ Blindness (2008): Directed by Fernando is considered one of the finest movies Meirelles, ‘Blindness’ is a Portuguese ever made. movie that deals with the pandemic of blindness. In the movie, a disease known 12 Monkeys (1995): Directed by the as white sickness afflicts people and takes maverick Terry Gilliam, ‘12 Monkeys’ is their eyesight. Although not a critical again a stark commentary on human success, the movie was praised for its beings and their self-destructing traits. Set unique plotline. The movie is beset with in futuristic Philadelphia, it chronicles a allusions to multiple artworks. ‘Blindness’ post-apocalyptic world where human courted some controversy when blind beings are forced to live underground. In people objected to the depictions in the an allusion to biological warfare, the movie saying that blind people are not savages and they do not behave the movie shows that most of humanity has way the movie has shown. been wiped out by a Despite everything, the manmade virus. The film movie remains memorable showcases a mission for having engineered a where a prisoner goes While it is perfectly different genre of back in time to normal to feel pandemic movies. understand the reason helpless and for the viral outbreak. anxious, there is an Carriers (2009): Directed Widely applauded for its effective mechanism by Alex Pastor and David thematic richness, ’12 Pastor, ‘Carriers’ is a Monkeys’ is also known to maintain sound chilling tale of a post- for its plot complications, mental health – apocalyptic world where the usage of multiple watching movies. a group of friends try to novel technologies and save themselves from a ambient gloom and global viral outbreak that doom. eliminated the most of humanity. The movie was critically Outbreak (1995): Roughly based on the appreciated for its rich theme and a Ebola outbreak in Zaire, the intelligently unique storyline. The movie is distinctly named ‘Outbreak’ talks about a small bleak and perfectly resonates with the town in the United States of America that current setting. Social distancing, a term faces a possible medical disaster due to a that is being increasingly used globally deadly virus. Directed by the seasoned received a significant traction in this director Wolfgang Peterson, ‘Outbreak’ is movie. ‘Carriers’, which perfectly an intelligent take on the travails that chronicles the horrors of a global medical and military personnel have to pandemic, is intentionally bereft of any face when there is a pandemic. It needs positive or hope-inducing elements. to be remembered that an actual outbreak of the Ebola virus was Contagion (2011): Now, let us talk about happening in Zaire at the time when the the movie that has been the subject of movie was released. Many critics praised many a debate over the past couple of its storyline and lauded its allegorical months. Directed by the immensely

92 talented Steven of how the rapid spread Soderbergh, ‘Contagion’ of a mutant virus throws is probably the closest to a South Korean city into the Covid-19 outbreak. utter chaos. Directed by Interestingly, a la Covid- the talented Kim Sung- 19, in ‘Contagion’ as su, the movie has typical well, the virus spreads Korean characteristics – through respiratory gore and bleakness. The droplets. Reminiscent of movie portrays that the many past global There is not an virus victims die in only 36 disasters, ‘Contagion’ hours and vomits perfectly captures the iota of doubt blackened blood. ‘Flu’ is social disorder that that a number also renowned for being accompanies any of blockbusters extremely intense. It is rife pandemic. It was directly will be created with political intonations inspired by the global and has all the typical Swine Flu outbreak in out of the traits of a pandemic 2009. The movie was human tragedy disaster movie. opulently lauded for its that is Unfortunately though, realistic take on not many critics liked the pandemics. The movie Coronavirus. movie. Currently, the follows a hyperlink style movie is rated 36 per of storytelling. cent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Flu (2013): Aptly titled, ‘Flu’ is an unnerving tale The Last Days (2013): Directed by David Pastor and Alex Pastor, ‘The Last Days’ interestingly deals with the concept of social distancing. Originally christened as ‘Los Últimos Días’ in Spanish, the movie portrays a situation when people die when they go out into the open. As we all are confining ourselves within the four walls of our homes in view of the Coronavirus scenario, this movie becomes all the more relevant. The movie won universal acclaim for its unique depiction of an apocalyptic situation. Albeit based on a silly

93 concept, the movie has stunning visuals, fantastic sound design and memorable special effects.

93 Days (2016): A lesser known Nigerian movie, ‘93 Days’ recounts the outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria in the year 2014. It is believed that Ebola has a death rate of 50 per cent. Directed by Steve Gukas, the movie is in fact a tribute to the medical workers, whose contributions helped contain the disease at an early stage. The movie is also representative of the political ramifications of a possible pandemic. This underscores how a strong made a movie by the name ‘Corona’. political leadership can play a critical role The trailer for the movie has already been in stopping the spread of a contagious released. No wonder that the audiovisual disease. ’93 Days’ also has uncanny creations won’t stop at this. The rest, as similarities to Covid-19 outbreak. they say, will be part of our future cinematic history. Virus (2019): We end our list with an Indian movie. ‘Virus’ is a Malayalam language movie directed by Aashiq Abu. It [Author’s Introduction: Currently an deliberates on the outbreak of Nipah virus Assistant Professor with the Kolkata-based Adamas University, Dr. Sunayan in the state of Indian state of Kerala in Bhattacharjee has a Ph.D. in Film Studies 2018. The movie was critically acclaimed from Pandit Deendayal Petroleum as it features a very realistic depiction of a University in Gandhinagar and a MMC possible pandemic. It purposefully degree with specialization in Journalism includes the contributions of the medical from Symbiosis Institute of Media and fraternity in containing the spread of the Communication in Pune. A UGC-NET disease. The movie was appreciated for qualified scholar in Mass Communication its compassionate and intense take on and Journalism, Sunayan studied the the subject. The best part of the movie is surrealist works of renowned American its unrelenting and uncompromising stand filmmaker David Lynch for his Ph.D. thesis. in revealing the actual situation pertaining Sunayan has a cumulative experience of to the Nipah outbreak. more than a decade in the creative and As we end the list, we also look at the academic domains. He was earlier an possible impact of Covid-19 outbreak on Assistant Professor at Pearl Academy in the global movie industry. There is not an Delhi. He also has the distinction of having iota of doubt that a number of worked with leading organizations such blockbusters will be created out of the as Reuters News, The Times of India and human tragedy that is Coronavirus. Such Ramoji Film City. Additionally, he has disasters, tragic as they are, act as fodder worked as an Associate Editor with The for future movie plots. In fact Canadian Cinemaholic and has edited edInbox, an filmmaker Mostafa Keshvari has already educational news portal.]

94 Creative World Creative Bloom amid Covid-19 Gloom

Educationist S Manna writes a pleasant piece on how the Covid-19 crisis has evoked the lost sense of creativity among otherwise busy citizenry.

huvo Banerjee and his wife Arpita have uploaded a duet song on SFacebook (FB) last week, which they claimed to be their first song together in the last 14 years. Their renditions took little time to create a niche audience among the known netizens and beyond prompting the couple to come up with an exclusive FB page of their own. No, the Banerjees – acclaimed singers in their own right since the college days – had no Abhimaan story between them, which might have taken their passion to the back seat. Covid-19 lockdown found them enjoying endless leisure hours, stirring their nearly forgotten passion to surface again.

The Creative Surge You don’t need to be a saint or a soothsayer or a psychologist to find out why suddenly your social media feeds are flooded with the creative flashes of your friends, followers and acquaintances. Why people, even a small kid or your

95 eccentric neighbour, are precipitously In a couple of weeks, the 23-year-old making their presence felt through social resolves to make it big. The confidence media? Why there are so many literary inside her makes a statement. talents, danseuses, singers, dramatists, Social media users like Sheersha are actors and mimic artists are swarming sharing titbits of their new reading, your timeline? Why texts, graphic, audios baking, knitting and painting. and videos of skits, recitations and memes are crowding all social media channels? The Celeb Way As Singer Katy Perry believes that this The Reason year’s ‘American Idol’ episodes will get The logic is simple. When you had all the ‘very creative’ amid lockdown, talent world’s time to stay busy outdoors, the spotters across the globe, too expect the inner self had shut its door. Now, as you world to see a fusillade of creative acts have all your official and social outlets online. locked down, the daily hours have Bollywood has already got the taste of hunted down the keys to this ‘Corona-tion’ of creative your inner philosophical, minds. Actors, directors, spiritual or creative script writers keep rooms. Thus, the last Creative sparks themselves busy in month has made you amid global making things in a unique stay homely uncovering shutdown are giving way – from making short your long-elapsed films, narrating fictional fervour. It is nothing but birth to an unusual stories or creating web re-discovering one’s group of audience shows online. Author own self. out of a personal Tahira Kashyap With crores of people on yet unresponsive has currently decided to the planet stuck in keep her creative flow isolation, many are using circle. going with online shows. the opportunity to get Actor Richa Chadha is creative and show it to the lining up a comedy script world, albeit the e-planet. to hone her writing.

The Covid-19 Communication Ways to Unwind Creative sparks amid global shutdown There are many ways. A virtual book club are giving birth to an unusual group of at Washington’s DC Public Library or audience out of a personal yet Italian Michelin-starred chef Massimo unresponsive circle. No doubt, it forms a Bottura’s new series on Instagram called new mode of communication – a Covid- Kitchen Quarantine are the perfect 19 communication. A welcome noise avenues to connect with people stuck at amid an eerie silence! home. When Sheersha Das, an IT employee Tim Hinchliffe, the editor of webzine working from home for an Indian MNC, The Sociable, has penned an enchanting suddenly rediscovers her dancing prowess piece on how people are igniting their on a terrace afternoon, little does she passion or taking to bizarre ways to beat know that it is being streamed ‘Facebook the lockdown blues. Live’ by her sister and fetches as many as Apart from live streaming of musical over 3,000 FB ‘Like’s and a little less than a performances and making public service thousand comments. announcements or giving sermons along

96 with Twitteresque news flashes, operating an online book club, showing the struggles of learning something new while on lock-down, canvassing culinary capabilities, watching repeat telecast of old series etc – the list is endless. With all public amusement and entertainment hubs, such as parks, clubs, cinema halls, pubs and almost everything being shut, people are now eying alternatives to keep themselves entertained. organisations that run Twitter flashed one video those sessions. which shows two Now that Ramayan and quarantined people are Mahabharata are back beating boredom and on TV, children, who are playing tennis through otherwise juggling books their windows. The game for tuition classes, can may not be too easy to get a peek into history play; the creativity and and mythology. efforts are worth Several parents, mentioning. including Bollywood celebrities, have also Kids Corner roped in their kids for With no clear date in Instagram and TikTok sight for relaxation of the videos – which could Each of us confinement, children, also be just another way who are self- cooped up at home for to keep them engaged. introspecting in almost a month now, are Actors Shilpa Shetty, among the worst Madhuri Dixit and this time of sufferers. Raveena Tandon often crisis, will miss Some parents have, share videos, where they these ‘Me time’ are seen dancing, however, enrolled their — the prime wards in online classes, playing and making where they learn about merry with their little gift from the art and craft and create ones. cruelest the same at home, some Common people are months of our of which are also shared different. Many of them online by their parents or were posting videos of lives.

97 recitation and dance performances of their toddlers, which, goes without saying, are garnering more likes and views than Creative minds were those of adults. at work at Australia’s An art teacher in Behala has been live- Sydney Observatory streaming classes for children who are out of school, inspiring them to get creative at which has been home. offering a tour of the night sky for the The Challenge Games Keep You Occupied Corona-stuck folks at From whipping up a frothy cup of home. Dalgona Coffee, catching up on fitness challenges, and joining live Antakshari Challenges, the lockdown has given people an opportunity to bond with the World Health Organization to spread friends and families – albeit on a social awareness on cleanliness to keep the media platform. Coronavirus at bay, was received well by The #SafeHands Challenge, initiated by people across the globe. Director- General WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, after taking up the challenge, nominated many other celebrities across the globe. The challenge involves washing hands with alcohol-based sanitizer or soap for at least 20 seconds, posting a video of the same on social media and nominating three more people to join in. Then came fitness games such as #See10Do10Challenge, #100SkippingChallenge, #PlankChallenge, #NoEquipmentWorkout, where people encourage others to stay healthy, and beat stress and anxiety. Some other challenges that went viral on social media included ‘Life Imitates Art’ – in which a reputed museum asked home quarantined people to recreate a piece of art using people or objects readily available at home, and #UntilTomorrow – where one had to post his or embarrassing picture taken in the past. For some, it takes the boredom away or delays the onset of depression. It’s like participating in one online challenge a day keeps your Shrink away.

98 poets. Similar platforms are also available on Instagram and Twitter, where one can get exposure and feedback on their creations.

Online Soirees/ Webinars/ Virtual Gallery People are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to meeting the audience online. Pop stars, including Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and country singer Keith Urban, have been live-streaming gigs to combat the boredom of self- isolation. Virtual tours the famous paintings of the Louvre in Paris and the classic sculptures of the Vatican museum offered by the world’s biggest galleries will make an art aficionado like you to forget that many public spaces have been shut. Creative minds were at work at Australia’s Sydney Observatory which has been offering a tour of the night sky for the Corona-stuck folks at home.

Will the Trend Last? When Cloud Is the Medium Obviously not! As and when the lockdown Studies suggest that students were more gets lifted and Corona fears ebb away, participative during online classes, and people will start revisiting their old paths. attendance had also spiked. Several For office worms, families and kids will take government and private institutes have a backseat. For party goers, book reading arranged for online classes to ensure that will become the last option for their leisure students, especially those about to hours. For club hoppers, terrace gardens appear for board exams, do not fall will remain ‘once-in-two-month’ affair. But behind schedule. In fact, much of India’s one thing is certain, each of us who are education sector is going online, creating self-introspecting in this time of crisis, will virtual learning infrastructure and radically miss these ‘Me time’ — the prime gift from transforming the way education has been the cruelest months of our lives. offered for millennials. Several tutorials are also available on YouTube and similar other platforms to [Author’s Introduction: S Manna teaches help the teachers and the students adapt print media studies at the School of to the new reality. Several short-term or Media, Communication and Fashion certificate courses on the Internet also (SMCF) at the Kolkata-based Adamas allow people, especially youth, to learn University. He loves to interact with each new skills, pursue interests or advance student of a class across a day’s session. their career. As a self-made professional, he believes Terribly Tiny Tales, for instance, has sought that challenges and tough times can only submissions from budding authors and bring the best from a person.]

99 Adamas University Round Up

October 30, 2019 favourable and constructive relations It was a great privilege to welcome and between the two great nations of host Honourable Andrew Ford, the Australia and India. Consul-General of Australia in Kolkata, India at Adamas University. Andrew was November 22 – November 24, 2019 welcomed by Prof. Samit Ray, the The 18th Asian University President Forum Chancellor of Adamas University. He had (AUPF 2019) was hosted by Daffodil meetings and discussions with the University in Dhaka in Bangladesh. The leadership and professors of Adamas Forum saw 76 delegates from 40 University concerning the roles and universities and 13 countries from Asia and contributions of the Australian Europe. Among those present were government in the development of founders, Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, education, business and cultural relations Rectors, Presidents, Professors and other with India and specifically with West distinguished guests. Adamas University Bengal. The Consul-General highlighted was represented in the Forum by Prof. that his visit to Adamas University Samit Ray, the Chancellor, and Dr. symbolizes a new page of growing Parimal Chandra Biswas, the Dean of

100 Students Affairs and International Fourth General Meeting of the ‘Tuning Relations. Adamas University signed MoUs India’ Project for capacity building in with Daffodil University and Petra Christian higher education, funded by the University in Indonesia. European Union Erasmus + Program.

November 29, 2019 December 6 and 7, 2019 Techjagran 2019, organized by the The 2nd Global Summit on Education Department of Mechanical Engineering, (GSE), organized by the Global Educators was an initiative to infuse among the Initiative for Sustainable Transformation young innovative minds a desire to seek (GEIST) and Adamas University, witnessed better technological solutions to the a conglomeration of educators from challenges posed by the industry and across the globe, in a two-day learning academia. The event aimed to provide a carnival with a mission to share the best unique platform to the entire student practices of pedagogy within and fraternity of Adamas University to promote beyond the classroom among the the seeding of ideas through a problem- educators and to network with other solving competition cum exhibition of innovative thinkers on contemporary working models and prototypes. issues in education pertaining to professional development. December 2, 2019 Bengal Young Entrepreneurs’ Summit was January 12, 2020 organized by Adamas University in Adamas University also celebrated the association with Youth Aid Foundation, ‘National Youth Day’ at the Adamas Waymark and development professionals. University Auditorium. Residential Students The event had around 50 participants from different schools performed songs, from several institutes and NGOs, who recitations, dance and drama, related to pitched with their plans on a low Swami Vivekananda’s thought and work. investment business idea. January 22, 2020 December 2 – December 6, 2019 In a glittering ceremony, Adamas Adamas University participated in the University held its 3rd Convocation where

101 243 undergraduate and 63 post-graduate of The Best University in West Bengal at the students received their degrees. In World Leadership Awards 2019 conferred addition, 50 students of the School of by World Education Congress. Pharmaceutical Technology received their Diploma. Ruma Acharya, technocrat February 4, 2020 and philanthropist, was conferred with Adamas University, in collaboration with D.Sc. Honoris Causa. The Chief Guest Mahatma Gandhi National Council of during this solemn occasion was Arjun Rural Education (MGNCRE), Department Malhotra, a well-know Indian of Higher Education, MHRD, Government entrepreneur, industrialist and of India, organized a two-day Industry- philanthropist. He is the Co-founder of Academia Meet cum Exhibition on Waste HCL Group and is presently the Chairman Management. of Evolko Inc. at Santa Clara in USA. The Guest of Honour was Prof. Lallit Anand, February 4, 2020 Warren and Towneley Rohsenow Professor A Panel Discussion on Media, Literature of Mechanical Engineering at the and Society was organized at Kolkata Massachusetts Institute of Technology Book Fair. Actor and activist Swara (MIT). Bhaskar, the face of FM Radio in Kolkata Jimmy Tangree, Author Sreemoyee Piu January 23, 2020 Kundu, film Director Arnab. K. Middya and Titled I-Cube, the Career Development popular Bengali television and film actor Cell (CDC) of Adamas University held a Sayoni Ghosh participated. day-long programme at the Convocation Centre of Adamas Knowledge City to February 13 – February 15, 2020 celebrate the success of all the students, ADINOVA, the 3-day-long annual fest who have been successfully placed brought out unique creativities of the through the CDC, by felicitating former students through out-of-the-box contests and present students. and competitions such as #Strings (Solo Singing competition), Behind the Mask January 24, 2020 (Face Painting Competition), Creativo On World Education Day, Adamas (Poetry Competition), The Benchmark University was proud to receive the award Debate (Debate Competition), Nukkad

102 (Street Play Competition), Tell Tastic (Story HCL Technologies Company. The theme Telling Competition), Envy (Fashion Show), for this year’s Hackathon was ‘IoT based Quizathon, Carousal (Film Making Solutions for Indian Eco-system’. Over 130 Competition), Prime (Photography abstracts from different colleges across 11 Competition), Evoke (Dance states of India were received. Competition) etc. The first day of the event saw a soulful performance by March 2, 2020 Bangla Band Dohar followed by Adamas University, jointly with the South Canada’s most popular Indian singer Asian Women in Media – SAWM, Parag Ray. The evening ended with organized a Panel Discussion on ‘Women strains of Baul music, performance by in Climate Action: The Future and its Arko Mukherjee and Satyaki Banerjee. Scope’. This event was supported by the Bollywood duo Palash and Palak Muchhal British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata. enthralled the students on the second His Excellency the British Deputy High day with some top Bollywood numbers Commissioner in Kolkata, Nicholas Low which made the evening worth graced the event. remembering. Last evening was reserved for Bengal’s 1st rock band FOSSILS, whose March 14, 2020 high-octane performance made the The Annual Sports Day was held with the event spectacular. usual zeal and fervour. The Chief Guest and Guests of Honour were Prakash February 28, 2020 Gangadhar, Coach Archery SAI, Adamas University, hosted Hackathon; an Rahamatulla Molla, International Athlete annual competitive event for engineering and Kamal Moitra, Secretary WB Athletic students conducted by Kolkata-based Association. A total of 11 events were Sankalp Semiconductor Private Limited, a held, where all the members of Adamas

103 University participated. An important teachers, to allow teachers to share best feature of the Sports Day was felicitating educational practices with their peers, 65 Adamas University students, who won and to enhance the reputation of laurels for Adamas University and are also teachers all over India. state and national level players. The disciplines were cricket, football, #AdamasUniversityCares volleyball, kabaddi, archery, swimming, In response to the global Covid-19 crisis, in shooting and athletics. the last week of March, Prof. Samit Ray, the Chancellor of Adamas University (AU), Sikshak Samman transferred Rs. 10 Lakhs to the CM Relief A ceremony that Adamas University has Fund, and offered the campus for been conducting for the past few years quarantine centre. Adamas was the first all over West Bengal has been taken out university in the country to have made this of Bengal to other states of Eastern India offer for an isolation centre. As on today, as well. This felicitation ceremony is held in close to a hundred persons are kept recognition to outstanding contributions there, those suspected but not proven to of teachers to the profession and their be infected, and their food is also taken students. It recognizes and rewards care thrice a day by AU. Alongside, teachers, who demonstrate instructional Adamas University has quickly started expertise, creativity and innovation in their online classes through Google Class and classrooms; who make learning engaging, Zoom. It is to be noted that a history vibrant and relevant for students; and teacher, who shifted to Bankura to be whose work and accomplishments set a with family during lockdown, went up on standard of excellence for all teachers. Its a tree in a low-network zone, to be purpose is to elevate the teaching connected with his students. This has profession, to motivate and inspire been widely covered in the media.

104 From the Desk of the Executive Editor

The Last Word communication and, from entertainment to #WorldNext relationships. Technology as a whole stands to gain immensely today The world ahead is surely and there will be going to be marked by decreasing barriers to two eras – Before Covid adopting technology (BC) representing the and increasing time until the Covid-19 democratization of the took the world by a same. storm, and After Covid (AC), the time after Second, public health, Covid-19 ravaged the which has less than a world. trillion dollar investment The world after Covid will globally with a gross have some distinct All businesses economy size of $80 differences from the one trillion, will rise in size and we have grown up. This is will look for significance and my surely a bigger crisis than long-term guess is that it would be anything else since the sustainability four times that of what it Great Depression. Covid- norms leading is today. It is a shame 19 is a true pandemic for that India is below 2 per health and economy, to cleaner cent of its budget in and one that has struck non-fossil fuel public health. As a almost every nation and energy, better natural corollary, societal every human being food-habits, attitude to hygiene and around. sanitation will change for ethical garments, the better. Focus on First, from being an long-term biotech and pharma- additional enabler in our medication and tech is expected to lives, the digital increase as well. technology will now be the likes. at the heart of most Third, public education, operations in the which is less than $1.5 economy – from banking trillion investment to education, from globally, will now grow to business to negotiations, more than three times. from healthcare to The digital mode would

105 make education cheaper. Skilled already committed Six per cent to 18 per manpower will be the need more than cent of their annual GDPs to combat the ever before. It is a matter of grave current impasse and a total of $8 trillion is concern that India dedicates around being spent hence. But more is expected, three per cent of its budget in education. for example, the mere One per cent The need for use of technology will also allocation of GDP in India will not suffice in expand in education, which now will any way going ahead. Public spending move from the instructional to the will be the other driver of development, experiential, calling for skill-centricity and will support various sections, from the rather than degree-centric scholasticism. marginalized farmers and migrant labourers to sick banks and enterprises. Fourth, sustainability goals shall not just be pious desires but an ardent necessity for Eighth, while technology-driven the survival of mankind. All businesses will surveillance of the State is expected to look for long-term sustainability norms rise in the short run, a new techno-driven leading to cleaner non-fossil fuel energy, human consciousness shall also bring in a better food-habits, ethical garments, new form of civil society activism and will long-term medication and the likes. It is no hopefully make the state more responsive wonder that crude oil costs is less than 10 and responsible towards public good. dollars a barrel now and shall not go back to the earlier rates of 2019 soon. Ninth, a guaranteed basic minimum income for all citizens, and demands for Fifth, consumerism will shift towards an fundamental rights to education, health enlightened version in the form of and work are expected to rise in nations reduced buying due to lower average across the globe fuelled by experiences purchasing power in a distressed of the Covid times and evolving civil economy and also conscious decisions. society consciousness. This can give rise to So, there can be a shift to veganism, focus on governance, social sciences, along with less conspicuous demands for personalized entertainment, art and jewellery, fancy cars, and high cost culture as well. branded accessories. Finally, a mixed economy with micro, Sixth, savings at individual level will be a small and medium enterprises, or in other driver of development ahead, and words, the informal economy at large, growth shall not be defined by bottomless shall engage the larger population and greedy consumerism as it has been for will prove to be the bulwark of long now fuelled by an unviable debt development ahead. We might also see trap, from individuals to societies. Since healthcare, technology and food and movements will reduce (including essentials producing companies to be restrictions on global travel) and a stronger than ever before in the cautious social distancing shall continue economy, many coming from MSMEs. for long and thereby becoming a part of lifestyle for most, lesser consumerism and Prof. Ujjwal K Chowdhury higher savings would be the natural Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean consequences. School of Media, Communication & Fashion Seventh, the Western nations have Adamas University, Kolkata

106

LEARNING AND CREATIVE PURSUITS Have No Lockdown

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