'Roti, Kapda aur Makan': Just not enough

Everyone, including myself, has been talking about the new ‘Normal’. I wonder if that is the right word to describe what is happening now or all that will happen in the medium-term. Our lives have changed dramatically – we are saddened by the loss of thousands of lives around the world, sobered by our lack of control and anxious about the un-extrapolatable future.

Our educational systems have come to a grinding halt, health facilities have appeared to be woefully inadequate and the economic future of millions seems in jeopardy. It is estimated that the global economic impact of the pandemic will be over $ 1 trillion in 2020, with thousands dead and over 150 million people out of jobs. It is not ‘normal’ to believe that we will get used to this.

As a nation, we need to focus on building our intrinsic strength that serves as built-in immunity to catastrophes like the Corona. We simply can not build a socially-economically-democratically strong India by simply focusing on ‘Roti, Kapda, aur Makan’. Don't get me wrong, these are important human needs that we have still not addressed for millions, but they are of the nature of hygiene. This phrase has outlived its relevance of a post-independent India (or an insightful movie).

Instead, we need to have a new mantra for 2020 and beyond, one that is more relevant and aspirational – ‘Shiksha, Sehat, aur Kaam’. Technically, none of these are new ideas, but there has not been a more opportune moment for the nation to rally behind this phrase as a mission to rebuild our nation. For a good measure, we can also add 'Prakriti' to the above.

I will not build an argument about how vital each of these elements is – it is self-explanatory and imperative for survival in a changing world. If you are in doubt just watch schools/colleges scramble with online learning, and listen to the sound of birds all through the day outside our windows as mother nature takes a well-deserved break. Or, watch thousands of health-care providers putting themselves on the line for others, and millions facing job-losses. Quite obviously, each of these will have technology enabling their impact at scale. But how will each look in the years to come?

How will these areas open new opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs? I will share some views over the next 3 posts.