Citizen resilience tames the crisis
Senthilkumar Rajendran, formerly a banker and now a consultant to and investor in startups, shares his insights on the broader aspects of the covid crisis:
Manoj Agrawal: What fundamental shifts in goals, aspirations and values has the covid crisis made in the lives of professionals?
Senthilkumar Rajendran:
During crisis the hardest things can be the softest things. Resilient leaders / professionals are genuinely, sincerely empathetic, walking compassionately in the shoes of employees, customers and their broader ecosystems, putting the mission first. At the same time, they are aiming for speed over elegance of execution, with the focus on the long-term with full transparency – this is a fundamental shift. Digital transformation takes the center stage and is no more an option but a necessity; professionals have embraced the change and made it a part of their learning / reskilling curve.
While economic wealth will decline/ stagnate, what is the expected impact on social wealth and health?
This crisis has shown a harsh light on inequality across the world. People living paycheck to paycheck in service sector jobs are in a very different position to those working in salaried jobs they can carry on from home. Stark gaps in wealth, health and work have gone from being chronic problems to acute ones. While the middle class is resilient, able to cut down on their expenses and is able to live up with the savings and investments, they are vulnerable to job loss and mental health issues due to prolonged work from home routine.
Governments in most countries around the world are struggling with the covid crisis, forcing citizens to fend for themselves? Will citizens want greater role or lesser role for the government in various matters such as health, education, urban planning, pension, etc?
The role of citizens during a crisis goes hand in hand with the government. Citizens conduct during these times cannot be enforced by officials but has to be self-regulated by every citizen. While the government does its part, it is highly inspiring to see students volunteering for covid activities, testing , food and face mask distribution and to act responsibly in connecting with each other to avoid stress and sustain mental health of people.
Borders will matter even less as more and more people can work from home for anyone in the world. Will India see a reverse migration back to native towns and smaller cities? What will be the social impact?
India is already witnessing reverse migration - higher wages and lifestyle has brought in many from smaller cities and villages. Pandemics like this make their life unsustainable to cover their monthly rental and other expenses without income. Also sense of safety and security, both in health and emotional space, makes them migrate back to their families and to their farm jobs.
Over the centuries, we have witnessed huge migration from east to west, and we know its consequences. If there is a large-scale reverse migration, what will be the consequences?
Vande Bharat mission is a Sanskrit name with a dignifying gesture to welcome back to India. Some of them are only by choice while students returned back with no other options. Health care, value/quality of life, education, open culture and opportunity has been the reason for many to migrate from India over several decades. This pandemic, rising nationalism and the tone of most governments over migrants makes everyone rethink the decision. The consequences may put a burden on the nation temporarily, but in the long run and once we recover from the shock, it will have a marginal impact.
How will digital impact social life which has given a lot of importance to festivals, religion, large marriages, parties, entertainment, etc?
With social distancing being the norm, many have started to adopt to the reality and marriages are performed now digitally and through social media. With covid cases on rise, government hands are tied to give permission for religious festivals. We are witnessing a large number of birthday, anniversary celebrations through video calls and by social media platforms and we hope things get better soon.