Blog

To describe the current phase in human history as unprecedented, is both accurate and inaccurate. In terms of the scale and scope of its physical reach and calamitous consequences, the corona virus pandemic is definitely in a class of its own – and more diabolical than anything yet experienced by the human race, as it, presumably, has opened the door for other such ills to enter.

But mankind has witnessed, endured, and survived several catastrophic events in its march through the ages. Varying in nature, extent, and duration, these posed serious threats to the continued existence of human beings on this planet and, to the affected people of the time, would have appeared as apocalyptic as COVID 19 does to many today.

In the past, when science and medicine were not advanced enough to swiftly identify, isolate and attack the sources of diseases, epidemics and pandemics were relatively frequent and common, and regularly wiped out large swathes of the population.

The bubonic plague, or ‘Black Death’, which devastated Europe in the mid-14^th century and claimed an estimated 200 million lives, comes readily to mind. Closer in time, the Spanish ‘flu which swept across the globe from 1918, infected 500 million (a third of the then world population) and killed approximately 100 million people. Other deadly diseases like smallpox also continued to haunt the human race until the late 20^th century, claiming millions of innocent victims in the process.

These blights apart, natural and man-made catastrophes struck regular and repeated blows, some harder than the others. Famines, droughts, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis strike us to this very day, although we have become more adept at anticipating and addressing them.

Wars also feature in the lives of many to this very day, although authors such as Steven Pinker contend that the last few decades have been the most peaceful in human history. The Second World War considered the deadliest military conflict to date, resulted in the loss of nearly 85 million lives during the six years it lasted.

But what shines through the dark and unspeakable horrors contained in this long list of tragic events, is the capacity and resilience of the species to endure and overcome grave and monumental challenges.

Even during the dark years of World War II, subject populations lived through shortages and rationing, blackouts and bombings, poverty and privation, death and disease, to emerge battered and bruised but still alive, to pick up the pieces and rebuild a world that lay in rubble around them.

True, many millions died, a tragedy of horrific magnitude, but the human race survived and was able to find the courage and ability to start everything all over again.

 Ortus, acrylic on canvas, Pradeep Dharmapalan

Although details differ, we stand at a similar juncture today. The pandemic is far from over, as this is being written, and another lockdown is still in effect. It may well be months and years before we are able to talk of things being ‘normal’ again – and even then, it is not going to be the same as what we used to call ‘normal’ before.

Everything from social mores and work practices to forms of recreation and entertainment and much, much more will change, often so drastically that they will bear little or no resemblance to their earlier avatars.

The media – mainstream, electronic, social, and otherwise – is awash with predictions of what the future is likely to hold for us. From dystopic visions to mildly optimistic ones, we are being prepared for the change that, we were always told, was an integral part of existence on this planet — but never quite expected to see enacted in such dramatic fashion.

It is a sobering moment – especially after the breathless hedonism of the digital age, that saw us hurtling into the future, without any major care or concern – and one we could well use to make a common-sense assessment of the situation.

We can expect many more tragic events to unfold before this sorry chapter comes to a close.  More innocent people will suffer and die – due to COVID 19 and its economic and social fallout. But, although at a terrible cost, the human race will survive.

The process of rebuilding the world economy, on which our civilization rests, will be long, laborious, and painful. Captains of industry and foot soldiers on the ground will need to be at the forefront of this effort and will all be called upon to display fortitude, flair, and flexibility in adjusting to and creating new realities and paradigms. Some models will perish, others will adapt and yet others will be born.

Employers with large workforces will need to devise and implement new work practices and ethics and find ways to bring together and motivate their teams as well as new means to manage and satisfy the expectations of their customers. ‘Mindfulness’ (or one of its many synonyms), already a buzzword among developers of human capital, will gain a firmer foothold in daily lives – and will guide us in our thought and actions.

For a generation bred on the heady delights of the digital realm, the assault by analogue viruses that led to this great disruption may seem anachronistic and incredible. But, for better or worse, it has given us time to contemplate and evaluate where we are headed – and the opportunity to effect crucial course corrections.

The lessons of history serve as important reminders of the pitfalls that mankind has faced in its journey thus far – and our inherent ability to rise above the direst adversity and the darkest spectres of doom.

It is this that we should remember, as we wait and watch, amidst the pain and strain and suffering. No matter how difficult it is, we must strive to keep our minds calm and clear and our spirits high. Only then can we – as individuals, communities, countries – survive this pandemic and build bridges to a better, brighter, and safer future.

Though dangerous and daunting, this is only a turn in the path, a bend in the river.

The journey is not over.

Nor are we.