India is going through the next phase of the pandemic which is more severe than the initial wave and we are witnessing a gloom everywhere. Deaths and infection rate are severe even though vaccination drive is undertaken at a pace which will be difficult to complete in quick succession.

We have witnessed ‘Unlock’ followed by some irresponsible electioneering by the people and an equally half-hearted effort to contain the pandemic by the bureaucracy where experts were left behind gasping for words.

Well, all done now, we are in a situation where we are left to fend for ourselves and we have to survive and sustain ourselves. Health first and the virus is lurking around where we need to protect ourselves. How? Well by now we must have learned the SMS technique. (Social distance, Mask & Sanitiser)

What we are yet to understand is the sustenance part in negotiating the virus. We have to save our economy. Locking down and stopping the economy fully is not our solution. The solution lies in innovating our way of doing business, fueling by providing the oxygen to our livelihood activities, and making our work going on in a scientific and evolving manner.

Work from home is definitely an option but is not a permanent or an ideal solution. We need to do physical interaction. The goods and services have to move hands, the transaction should keep happening.

Going into a complete lockdown mode is not an ideal solution that the world has understood. It is important to tell oneself that the engine of the economy needs to move. It is important to categorize various strata of people and allow phased and restricted movement with a strong message by the Government that complete lockdown will not happen but there will be restrictions.

Let there be 4 days a week work culture be implemented for a period till we are completely safe from the virus. Let the daily wage earners are regulated but not completely shut with a promise of economic support. It is a suicidal activity by the Government. You are telling someone not to work and that you will compensate, but is it not better to tell them that you will work but in a regulated manner which might increase his productivity. Let there be a rotation of duties but not completely shut down. We just cannot afford it.

Society will evolve over a period of time, equally necessary are some strong civic laws, social etiquette, evolved but scientific work culture, discipline and restrains but most important a Godly focus on productivity. We have to work intelligently in order to negotiate a better deal with the virus.

We have to come to terms that we have reached a phase in our civilization where we have to keep negotiating with viruses for a long time. It is a long march and we better accept the challenge…