India and the World after COVID-19

-- S. Surya Paraksh

Sunday, August 9, 2020

COVID-19 has definitely changed our world ever. But where is the new world headed? How has COVID-19 changed the way we live and work? What will be India’s place in the emerging post-pandemic world? How can India make itself stronger and script a bigger role to play in the international community?

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.

This is a famous quote whose origin dates to early 1950s and was quoted by local football coaches on American soil and then Billy Ocean in 1985, has co-written and sang the song by the same title.

This inspirational quote is apt in the present scenario where the virus COVID-19 literally made the world stand still and stand on its knees. Without exceptions, each of us as individuals should become tough and as the going is getting tough and come out successfully and not succumb to the situation.

Unexpected situations came into existence, airlines coming to an almost complete halt unimaginably, so many factories across the world on the brink of total shutdown excepting a few unthinkably, oil prices almost nearing zero dollar unbelievably, passenger trains in countries like India coming to a grinding halt unconceivably and the list goes on unimaginably long.

So, when the world is slowly limping back to a functional phase, we people are becoming more aware of the gaps in our lifestyles that is hurting the nature. The time has come to fill in these gaps as much as possible. What are these gaps and what has India to offer to the world in filling up these gaps?

Food habits is the first in the list for all the obvious reasons. The fast food joints famous for their fast service, tasty food have in the run to earn the fast money literally killed the essence of love, care and above all the antibacterial items our Indian mothers mix in the home-made dishes. The finesse in cooking is now mechanized and behold we the people ended up paying a heavy price by succumbing to the might of the microorganism COVID – 19. In this scenario, India took a beating, but the best part is, Indian style of traditional cooking is inherently and literally a poison for the virus. The turmeric powder Indian mothers use liberally in the home-made foods is an anti-bacterial compound which kills all types of virus and keeps us safe from their harmful effects. If only we Indians can turn back to our traditional food habits, our India could script a bigger role in making the world healthy.

Cleansing feet, hands, and face before we enter our homes after a hard day work is an age-old custom our ancestors followed and fortunately even now some Indian families follow. This is no rocket science to understand why. Now we are forced to do this in the period of pandemic. The washing of hands is not limited to just the palms but up to the elbows as per Indian customs, which is exactly what is recommended now in this period of pandemic. Most of us in India adopted, not adapted, cultures alien to us and literally destroyed our own healthy Indian culture.

Social distancing is an age-old practice in India, the prime example being the famous Indian way of greeting by folding hands and saying ‘namaste’. This word now needs to be included in dictionaries of all languages and made famous by India. India can be in the fore front by just returning to its roots and showing to the world what Indian lifestyle can do. This does not imply demeaning other traditions and cultures. It is only showing to the world how healthy and rich Indian culture is. But first we Indians should begin following it and then preach it.

We Indians should go back to the basics on cleanliness, social distancing, food hygiene etc that are embedded in our rich culture, imbibe them into our daily lifestyles irrespective of where we are placed. Then the world can see for itself what India could do. India need not advertise itself. The world will notice it.
As the great scientist, statesman and above all the noble human being, Sir APJ Abdul Kalam said, “We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage.”

Jai Hind!!