FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Sathappan Narayanan
The Greek philosopher, Heraclitus of Ephesus, said, –“the only constant in life is change”. Yet, when change happens, we are often surprised. We are all human. Covid-19 has resulted in significant changes to the way people live, work and socialise. By and large, people are adapting to a range of challenges including working from home, remote learning, social distancing and wearing face masks, while few are not all that willing to. It is same with business enterprises too.
Change happens whether we want it to or not. Some people welcome change and find ways to turn the unexpected into an opportunity for growth. Others become frightened and simply react. How we handle the inevitable changes in life is key to living a life without fear.
In current circumstances, success rate of any business or individual is directly proportional to the speed of adaptation (by learning new skill sets and changing the age-old practices). Still there are people and business houses adamant and unwilling to learn the new rules of the games and adapt.
There was a time wherein people had the habit to eat and drink snack and beverages without even washing their hands - once they returned home after commuting in public transport. Not anymore! Yes, Covid has brought in fear psychosis among people about contracting the virus and made them to be extra cautious about masking, social distancing and keeping self and environment hygienic. This feeling is good for the humanity in general to avoid any such pandemic in future besides opening up new business opportunities for new necessities.
Reducing of head counts in office with introduction of work from home culture eased the pressure on real estate and helped to cool down sky rocketing real estate prices. This in a way to re open affordable housing possibility which will transform vast number of hitherto tenants as owners of their own home. Food delivery and online business model which came to India few years ago, not only helped enhance volume of business, but ensure continuity of business for every restaurant and every vendor during lock out. Small but smart vegetable vendors, small time shop owners learn the trick of receiving orders through phone, online and for home delivery. Though studying online is cumbersome and stressful, surprisingly kids show resilience to cope up. All these pandemic triggered changes helped humanity with huge savings of money and time, besides reducing the undue pressure on natural resources.
Thanks to Covid-19, hygiene became the top priority for humanity and more and more, hither to casual group of people are also showing high levels of self-discipline on this critical aspect. I wish and pray for shifting of people’s attitude towards simple responsible life style with gratitude.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” — Charles Darwin
“To live as the world lives, is wisdom” (Thirukkural 426).
