Impossible is Nothing, says a Nike Slogan. This is proven again in 2020 but more aptly by rephrasing this slogan: Anything is possible. It was 2020. To mark the end of this dreadful year, I stuck symbolically to my home state and went to a state beach near Westport hosting a natural 9/11 memorial to CT residents lost then. On that clear day in Sep 2001, this point saw the collapse and smoke arising from twin tower debris. 1st Jan 2021 was not that clear day, so could just see the outline of the distant Manhattan skyline. The ritual to be around these waters, started since I landed on these shores, was completed. Like me, Millions of people all over from the globe have entered this continent on these shores. So these waters offer a good backdrop to go philosophical in the globally local context.
I think this year has given us a new perspective and take a new view of the same picture (see above from CT) I had seen from the other side on 31st Dec 2019 (Seen below from NJ). This completes the Tri-state picture. Before I share with you lessons from 2020 which we can learn to reset our lives, let me rewind to the last year-end.
To welcome 2020, I had written
"I drove into NYC, crossed the great GB Washington bridge to enter NJ where I was booked into a hotel close to Exchange Place giving you a wonderful view of Manhattan. Yes, it was new years eve and could overlook festivities across the Hudson at Times Square. Our hotel also hosted a party. There were season's festivities all around to welcome the new decade. I saw the first rays of 2020 and the decade of the 20s embracing the Manhattan skyline. Optimism was in the air. "
But then 2020 had other plans. When we were thickly into the pandemic and lockdown, I had written:
It was a popular joint in Manhattan, Two gentlemen used to meet there each morning for breakfast: Mr. Yesterday used to handover its baggage and instructions to Mr. Today. Eventually, Mr. Today would meet Mr. Tomorrow to do the same. This was happening since the beginning of the inhabitation of this place by humanity. There was a cataclysm one fine day thanks to some unknown virus originated from the Far East and Mr. Today is still waiting for handing over its baggage to Mr. Tomorrow as Mr. Tomorrow did not turn up at all. What should Mr. Today do?
Things stood still and no one knew what to do. But today after 9 months into the pandemic and as we change another calendar to 2021, we still don't know much of what lies ahead. But we have survived and that's what matters. Mr. Tomorrow has landed. But Mr. Tomorrow is wise with some great inward-looking introspection and with renewed priorities. 2020 has provided a reset and a new opportunity to correct few things which had gone wrong in the modern era.
- Anything is possible. We have learned the most important lesson: Be prepared for any eventuality in life, profession, business, governance, services, entertainment, logistics: every aspect of modern lives needs an alternative plan. In fact need plans: PlanB, C, and so on.
- Prioritize things you need most and live minimally. Most of the things we mainly struggle for in life like status gains through high-end dining, big cars, posh addresses, vacations, and so on are meaningless. The key is to remain happy and positive with 'real' things like basic necessities (Daily supplies, Connectivity included) and healthy.
- The real heroes are the ones who ensure continuity and normalcy in life like the utility guys, grocery shop staff, delivery men, police, health workers, army, government, banking. Sports and entertainment have their value like all other professions and yes we had overrated them.
- Remote is new normal for everything. That has given outsourcing more acceptability. Education was impacted and still need to find answers to lacunae. Businesses transformed to survive and grow with the use of remote processes. Ecommerce, collaboration, social media, online entertainment are essential elements of the new normal. The main issue though is security. Let's hope security issues are taken care of. Big Tech has evolved into modern big Brothers.
- The importance of health and hygiene was highlighted. This was a fact ignored in the modern era but pandemic has brought those issues to prominence.
- Globalization which had thrived since the fall of the soviet union for the last 20 years had serious threats in 2020. The trade war is one. Discounting conspiracy theories path ahead is tricky. Politically we had seen the trend since the big recession but now with borders closed challenges are enormous.
- We had proof of concept of damage we have done to climate. The resilient nature has shown us how things can improve if we were to control our consumption. It's high time governments got their act together to save the climate.
What a year it has been apart from the Pandemic!
On World Politics we saw US elections where we saw the great divide in the US and how delicately the things are placed. Its time for the democracy to ponder changing systems to ensure effective elections. The role of media and big tech also needs serious investigation. Let's hope the new regime comprising of Kamala (nothing for Indians to rejoice) guide the nation to the balance needed internally and externally. China's role in the pandemic is something for the entire humanity to take note of and be warned As I said trade war is on and the model built for the 20 years has decided to scale up on political turf. The expansionist attitude is seen against India, Hongkong, Taiwan, South China seas, Korean Peninsula, OROP. Russia after remaining silent for 20 years is definitely keen to have a decisive role. We saw central Asian and east European conflicts as well. India's role in replacing China will depend on how we play the cards. At least next year we are in the security council. The Brexit deal was done. This opens up new economic challenges for everyone and the UK France suffered from terror and the aftermath. Europe as such has suffered from some ultra-liberal outlook and theoretical approach to an extent that demographics are altered. They are sitting on the powderkeg. African continent struggle with wars (Eritrea, Sudan, Nigeria, Mozambique, and so on. China's invisible hand is also impacting the functioning of the governments. South and Central American continent struggle with crime, drugs, wars. The Middle East saw some breakthrough surprisingly under the T regime which has started a doubt in earlier initiatives. With deals between UAE and Isreal, we may see a shift in Islamic leadership to Turkey and Iran. But if these initiatives continue world may be a better place. Rogue leadership in Iran and Turkey may pose immediate threats but with the US and Isreal strongly acting like in 2020, they may be in check. My wish list is Europe dealing hard against terror and refugees, US -Saudi-UAE axis strongly balances out rogue countries. Europe-US-Japan-Aus-India takes on China.
On the world stage, we need to take Climate change seriously. We saw forest fires in Aus, amazon, and California. We saw floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, famines. We saw the resilience of nature during a pandemic. It's now or never.
In India, things started with CAA protests to be died down after the Pandemic and ending with Farmers agitation. The opposition whom I call teasingly as Enemies of India (in line with anti-nationals) have tried to oppose in various ways including nasty Delhi riots powered by conspiracy, media campaign highlighting mishandling of pandemic. Part 1 of term 2 needed a few problematic items in the agenda like CAA, 360, and Ram Mandir leading to uniform civil code were attempted. But then now the focus should be on the Economy. I think they need stronger FM there. Reforms much needed have not happened though one can understand aftereffects like what we saw in much-needed agricultural reforms. The GST and taxation, labor, land acquisition issues need utmost priority. We need to offer the world a strong alternative to China. That's my wish list. Of course, politics is another story with Bengal elections on the card. We saw Bihar elections and their build-up using SSR /Arnab/Kangana issue. Enemies of India will have their means but next two years let's keep politics out of the equation. Losing states is fine but 24 is more important. That campaign can start at 23. In 21 and 22 let us focus on the economy, jobs, growth. That's the only way to tackle human misery arsing out of pandemic which is a stark reality and not a media campaign.
We had calamities like Amphan, Nisarg, floods to add to the miseries. Kashmir local elections template needs to be emulated. Pak as a country will fail on its own. Our army fought brilliantly Vs China and Kashmiri Terrorists. They need to be given a free hand and political support, especially against China. Issues in Nepal, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Maldives need to be handled carefully.
Businesses in the world saw different stories for different sectors. But every business had to transform, There was a backlash against a big tech who have gone stronger. Ecommerce /Online entertainment rose. Travel/leisure /airline companies impacted. Services transformed. Indian IT companies saw outsourcing getting new acceptance added by restrictive visa policies. Models were transformed and we saw going up the value chain. The stock markets performed independently of business challenges. That indicates a consolidation of business towards listed/organized sectors at expense of SMEs and unorganized sectors impacted by the pandemic. Loss of jobs was a direct result of pandemic and AI. Thus consumer spends gone down. 21 wishlist is to rationalize AI, increase jobs through innovative investment opportunities by reforms in business infrastructure/taxation/govt infusion of support packages.
Indian science needs to evolve to create a more effective and educated workforce equipped with advanced knowledge and original research. ISRO/DRDO did wonders despite limitations. Other organizations like IITs/IIScs/NITs should evolve. The government should create a better system to govern the funds and policies. Merits should be given more stress with affirmative action to the needy. World science-based economy saw SpaceX initiatives on the final frontier, focus on AI, genetics with the emergence of a new virus. Big Pharma as usual had a field day. The oil and Gas industry shrank while alternative energy models also failed to deliver. But focus on Clean technology needs to be revived in the coming years.
The government in Maharashtra survived despite all odd thanks to the wily old man of State Politics. But we saw many glaring mistakes, reentry of corruption, cancellation of old initiatives resulting in a waste of money, divisive politics on the reservation, appeasement, etc. Pune city was as usual the first to kick off a pandemic in India. But with lockdown followed loosely and with inherent immunity, we survived. The pandemic delayed civic issues like transport, metro especially with increased area of governance. Wish we have a well-meaning government in Maharashtra and infrastructure focussed in Pune.
This was the sad year when we lost many celebrities: Rishi Kapoor, Irrfan, SSR, Shawn Connery, SP Bala, Maradona, Pt Jasraj, Saroj Khan, Kobe Byrant, and many more worldwide. The entertainment industry suffered as many grassroots workers lost their income source. Few tried to evolve using OTT/digital /social media. Marathi's movie was also impacted but TV serials /online events found their own way into the entertainment mindscapes. Drama. theatres and multiplexes still have their challenges. Wish everything reopens and we have quality entertainment digitally as well.
Just like entertainment Cricket suffered but with IPL and Ind Aus series brought back fans to the television. Cricket played in IPL and Ind Aus really was highest standards. Stokes played the greatest innings in ashes. NZ also played well. SAF, Pak, and SL downward spiral continued to create concerns. WI seems surviving thanks to T20. The Indian team did well in t20i as per plan which was haywire due to postponement. They did not seem focused on ODIs with a lot of experimentation. We did badly in two tests in NZ but played good cricket in Aus barring that one hour. Interesting cricket ahead in Aus. Mumbai Indias were a scale above the rest in IPL. Wish we win T20WC and reach WTC by beating Aus/Eng.
Other sports also suffered due to the pandemic. The most important events of the Leap Year Olympics and Euro were postponed. Even Wimbledon was canceled. Nadal reigned french open. Djoko had an unfortunate incident at the US Open. US sports continued so did European club soccer. Wish the pending events like T20WC, Olympics (with Indian success), and Euro happen in 2021
Personally, this year was strange. Professionally new trends in IT resulted in some tweaks. There were a few significant successes worth celebrating but more challenges lie in the next year. But must say is was the busiest year But lockdown impacted a few travel plans also delayed our 'baby flying out of the nest' moment in life by a year. Online interaction substituted personal interaction. Had a lot of online events: Quiz, Music, drama practices., family events, the festivals as well. I had a great family time in summer, fall, and winter outings/trails locally. Musical dimension increased with a group locally. I had a musical production released and had a great online drama implementing a new concept, a blog syndication project, and a few newspaper publications to peak it.
Just to sum up, We are ready with these seven lessons and hope all the wish lists mentioned under all categories of my interests actually happen in 2021. Mr. Tomorrrow is positive about everything as Mr. Yesterday has given him an opportunity to reset, Now it's up to Mr. Today to act...
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