When i saw this quote on my social media site, i immediately felt the need to blog about it, so whoever is reading this post and is going through rough patch in life in terms of relationships, financially, health- wise… “KEEP YOUR HOPE UP”…
We are all fighters in some way…
So what life is not according to our dreams and desire,
So what we have lost something,
So what we are at our bottom rock in life right now,
Never forget… We are fighters
We dont give up easily…
2020 is proving to be hardship year, but we will not give up,
It’s been 3 days since I last update my blog. I’ve been feeling too lazy to complete whatever I’ve written on my laptop. More lazy, I am feeling uninspired to write anything. I’ve been reading lots of ‘law of attraction’ stories on ‘the secret official website’ but I am finding it hard to practise visualization and positive thinking. I want some spiritual guidance to guide me how to ask, believe and recieve and how to practise law of attraction with good patience.
Now that the countries have started relaxing lockdown rules amid corona virus scare that put almost entire earth in lockdown mode and confine people to their homes for more than two months, the countries have started opening up their economy gradually which is at the verge of underperforming or even critical. According to various economists and financial experts, almost all the countries will likely to see shrink in their GDP and economic performance on global level. So what is the solution for better job boosting economy?
The simple answer is ‘GREEN ECONOMY’, one which is being continuously put forward by various economists and world environmentalists as the only solution to conserve non- renewable resources present on earth while also ensuring that economy achieves its maximum objectives. Especially now in times of world crisis, countries have a chance to introduce green economy policies including green economic infrastructure. There is no general definition except one which is provided by United Nations Environment Programme. It defines “Green Economy” as an economy that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. There are numerous benefits of implementing green economy like:-
Upon implementation of green economic recovery policies, there will be drastic reduction in pollution which has been primary cause of more than 7 million deaths around the world annually.
It will certainly bring climate threat under control which many countries have started facing with abnormal weather conditions, large scale bushfires, global snow melting, rise of sea level on earth, shrinking of water resources, deforestation etc.
Investing hugely on renewable resources like wind energy, solar energy etc. will put less risk on earth limited non-renewable resources hence conservation of it for future generation will be beneficial and this pandemic situation in our only chance before things go out of our hands for worst.
It will result in creating jobs especially in energy sector and nature based sectors. Recently, Adani Green group won prestigious $6 Billion solar power plants project in India which will likely to create 4 lakh jobs over the span of five years.
This is the first time when not only environmentalist are urging governments to introduce green economy recovery path, but also similar sentiments is being echoed by world investors, financial institutions, business leaders, job creators . On World Environment Day, global institutions working on developing labour and environment have united around key actions for spurring a green, just and transformative recovery.[1] They have identified ten policy options that will guide towards green recovery:-
The green economy principles of well- being, justice, sufficiency, efficiency,
Advance green deals, economy plans, industrial strategies to built long term prosperity
Financial stimulus package must be structured in a way that it will accelerate towards green economy
Recognize the role of nature in reducing systematic risk
Invest in sustainable infrastructure and stronger environmental protection.
Strengthen and broaden inclusive social protection mechanisms
Accelerate energy transition and tackle fossil fuel subsidy
Apply gender responsive approach
Give priority to small and informal enterprise to accelerate the power sector
Improve global cooperation and coordination to effectively respond to pandemic crisis.
However, in immediate run, the governments are not reluctant to formulate and execute green policies because their focus is on creating better facilities and resources in health sector, attract investments to ease the burden of debt, job creation.
The ball is now in governments hands as to how fast and effectively they introduce green policies which are the need of the hour. The sooner they introduce policies be it of corporate, industrial or investment nature that also promotes and protects nature, the sooner the state will be on the path of eco-sustainability and hence will be in a position to avoid any future pandemic. UK, The European Union and Australia are the ones that are racing ahead in executing green economic policies while countries like USA, India and China have yet to act prudently. This is our only chance to act in sync with nature before another pandemic like situation hits us.
No one had ever imagined that 2020 is going to be ‘A Survival Year of Human Race’. Indians too never imagined that there will be time when all of them have to confine to their home for more than 1 month at least. At the time of writing this, as per official figure issued by Ministry Of Health, there are more than 96 thousand confirmed cases of coronavirus and three thousand people have lost their lives. Considering India’s population right now it can be safely assume that rate at which coronavirus is spreading across nation is slow and it’s good news. India took active measures to contain this disease much before it was declared as ‘Pandemic situation’ by World Health Organisation’.
But the actions taken by the government during this whole phase at times felt without a concrete plan, protocol and are whimsical. As citizens, we cannot completely blame government and law because we did not anticipate this kind of serious situation. The word pandemic and related term is nowhere mentioned in any Indian Law and how to deal with it. The governments at Central and state level are practically relying on three existing laws which were enacted in last century. There is only one law which was enacted in post Y2K was The National Disaster Management Act, 2005 (NDMA). In this act, only the term ‘disaster’ is defined and its scope has been explained. According to section 2(d), the term ‘disaster’ means a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in area, arising from natural or man made causes or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, degradation of, environment and is of such a nature that is beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area. Chapter II and III of the said act explain functions of National and State Disaster Management Authority in times of disaster and to prepare plan to mitigate disasters. The most important provision under this act which provides some sort of guidance to the government is provided under section 35 which deals with measures taken by the government for disaster management and includes coordinated action between ministries and governmental departments, ensure the integration of measures for prevention of disasters, allocation of funds for prevention and mitigation disaster, coordination with UN agencies and international organizations etc.
The scope of term ‘Disaster’ definitely needs to be widened so to include pandemic and any future catastrophic event and the measures taken by the government in case of crisis needs to be more inclusive like a national plan with regard to movement, employment, providing basic resources like food and shelter to those in need during such natural emergency etc.
Another law that deals with epidemic is The Epidemic Act of 1897 recently amended by way of Ordinance. The new amendment act provides for the prevention of the spread of dangerous epidemic disease. The motive behind bringing an ordinance is to protect the lives of healthcare personnel who are carrying out their public duty to contain pandemic situation from any harm, injury, hurt and danger to life. The new epidemic Act fails to include the term ‘pandemic’ and anything related to it.
Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code is third and last legal provision that the Central Government has strictly enforced on the people including non-citizens. Section 144 prohibits gathering of more than 5 people in public places failing which a person shall be liable to be punished up to 3 years of imprisonment. But even this legal provision is proving to be ineffective especially after first phase of lockdown. Migrants from various states of India were seen protesting in big numbers in public place demanding basic needs and many of them in big numbers are moving on foot to reach their native place. Even after gathering at worship place is banned including opening and entry, at few occasions worshippers were gathering to mark festival or religious event.
CONCLUSION
India isn’t the only country who doesn’t have legal framework to deal with such catastrophe. Many developed nations are also doesn’t equipped with special or separate law to deal with this type of virus disease which globally has created a havoc. This critical time apart from misery has given us an opportunity to prepare and equip ourselves to face similar event in future if need arise.
After India successfully achieves flattening curve in controlling this disease and once life goes on with normal routine. The government must look into serious loopholes our legal system has with regard to health emergency and health care and come up with a separate law to deal with pandemic diseases or events in exhaustive manner. It must also include measures to be taken regarding continuous employment of those who cannot work from home and are in dire need of earning basic financial resources for themselves and those who are dependent on them. Government has recently announced huge financial relief for all sectors of economy but now India is in phase where life is eventually becoming normal from standstill.
The world is facing its worst crisis in form of COVID19 with no certainty as to how soon the world will recover from this worst nightmare. Many economists and political experts are predicting that the world will go through a ‘reformative phase’ post pandemic situation which will alter political and economic scenario. Below are some of the possible futures which the human race may witness.
Shift of world power order/economic power -: it is just a wild theory but the longer the coronavirus remains active in atmosphere, the longer the business and economies of nations will suffer. As is evident, every nation except China on every continent at present is going either through lockdown phase or national emergency phase. It will result in change in economic superpower. It is very likely that China will equal USA as the mightiest superpower in terms of wealth and economic development if current scenario in the world continues for the rest of 2020. According to various sources, the top 10 economies of the world in 2019 were (based on GDP) were USA, China, Japan, Germany, India, UK, France, Russia, Brazil and Canada [1]. By the time these economies recover from this pandemic situation and on to its usual uninterrupted phase, except USA and China, the rest of top 10 economies will see change in their GDP and hence change in their world rankings also.
Economic sphere changes –: As the coronavirus spread, many industries and corporate offices, big and small were forced to close down their functioning due to absence of labour force. As production came to a halt, it resulted in plunging of stock markets around the world with many stock markets were forced to closed its trading for hours. Due to it, corporate debt rose to an all time high in some countries reaching to historic level. Some companies due to intensive debt cut down its costs, laid-off workers and mulled investment as they want to look for ways to avoid default. Government on its part started pumping cash through relief packages so that these companies survive. It is yet to be seen how many of them are going to survive and resume normal operations and how the rate of employment rises. But one thing is almost certain, the pandemic is going to change economic sphere, development rate around the globe. People may even witness change in economic supremacy. Japan recently has announced its plan to encourage its companies to move its operations outside China to its own land and many countries will likely to follow same pattern. World cities like New York, London etc. are may witness reduction in their power and new cities may very well likely to emerge as economic hot-spots.
Types of economy changes with more focus on welfare of state/ mixed/socialism– The world is witnessing its worst recession yet, worst than 1920’s US recession. There is total or partial shutdown of labour force thus unemployment rate is all time high in various countries like India, USA,UK, parts of EU etc., consumer expenditure has also come down due to change in purchasing power. In many parts, the governments are unable to tackle this nightmare in right way thus resulting in people questioning their approach of survival and recovery. The worst economies that are suffering are those that are capitalist in nature as the rate of laying off employees is higher. Take for example, USA where around 16 million people have claimed unemployment according to Washington Post and although the government has announced $2Trillion plan to boost companies of every scale yet the relief to its people is taking time to reach them directly. In India, the situation is even worst. For week ending April 5, unemployment rose to 23.2% from 8.5% in mid march according to data released by Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) but central government has strictly issued directions and communiqués to companies to refrain from lay-offs and deduction in salary during lockdown period while simultaneously announcing sector-specific relied packages for daily wage labour force and people living below poverty line. In EU, after much discussion amid so much confusion and wrangling among its member states, the EU finance ministers agreed on half-a-trillion euros worth of support to its members. This relief for its members came late and as noted by international media, it certainly exposed division among EU nations who failed to show solidarity at this hour of need.
EU likely to disintegrate; US stronghold in the world likely to decrease; China will retain super economic power status-: As noted above, the EU members seemed at odd with each other to come up with relief package for its economy. While many economy in rest of the world announced financial relied packages for their economy by first week of April, the EU leaders were clearly failed to show unique front in combating this situation and to issue financial relief for its companies. This has resulted in questioning their integrity. Is European Union heading for a division? It is very soon to predict anything but the recent events have certainly raised eyebrows among economists and political pundits.
Countries position likely to change in UN- The President of USA has recently accused WHO, an organization of UN to be China-Centric and has threat to cut off its part of funding to WHO. It is worth noting here that USA is the top donor to WHO. In 2019, it contribution exceeded to $400 Million dollar as compare to China who only contributed around $44 Million.[2]
How India will recover:- India will recover from the pandemic however slow yet economic recovery and GDP growth likely to be appreciated by world economists considering economic slowdown. Indian government will very likely take bold economic steps to accelerate industrial manufacturing and employment in unorganized sector. However, the government must also consider framing green policy for clean environment and water bodies
Health Sector around the world will boom– It is very likely that global health industry will witness surge in form of huge investment and is going to be the next hot investment sphere on par with space industry. This field is about to be exploded with innovations and breakthrough to control not only the ongoing virus situation but also to control and air-borne disease.
The process of Globalisation will halt for some time as predicted by economic pundits- Globalisation of goods, services and people will likely suffer even after the lifting of lockdown. International trade as a percentage of global GDP stood at 59% in 2018 from 61% in 2008 witnessed flat curve.[3] This percentage will further go down as countries may prefer local production and local labour over migrants and imports. There is no time frame over when lockdown will be lifted in different parts of the world and how soon can normal movements of skilled people between borders resume. Certainly local skilled labour force will take precedence over international labour force in short run. Governments around the world will frame trade rules and regulations keeping in mind of achieving self-regulations in key areas like medical equipments, agriculture, finished food products.
Preference of locally manufactured goods over global goods:- Now that the economies are being opened up all over the world and are on the path to progress, countries are likely to encourage its citizens to ‘Buy Local’ thus improving local markets especially small and medium enterprise sector as they are the worst hit and in dire need of revival. Going local will also be in best interest of people as employment opportunities will be created.
No one imagined that 2020 is going to be the ‘Year of Change’ on earth. Now we might witness it for good or worse. But one thing is sure, our social and financial life will never be the same from now on.
Space Curiouser 