Resilient India: Turning Crisis into Opportunity!

If we synchronize some exasperating events that took place recently in India, two of them would be the spread of the novel coronavirus which decelerated the supply chain all around and the second would be the teetering relations of India with its neighbouring countries. After all these events it is easy to realize that the only constant thing is change, demanded by time. A Change could be tantamount to a challenge, especially when it comes to becoming self-reliant. Once our former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam quoted “difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you, but to help you realize your hidden potential and power, let difficulties know that you too are difficult.” Eventually, this is the time to remember his quote and his vision as well. Being resilient would be the stepping stone for procuring a Developed Nation.

Winston Churchill once stated that an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Part IV of our Constitution from Articles 36 to 51 provides guidelines to the government to ensure a just society. By these directive principles, many policies have been made and changed by the government of India several times. And this is the time to implement these policies to ensure the welfare of society. For example, we can use WAG-12B India’s most powerful locomotive which is manufactured under the “Make in India” initiative to transport raw materials extensively from one place to another. And we can employ the migrant labourers under MNREGA to construct productive sites and buildings including health and educational institutions.

How can be one optimistic if he/she won't have any vision? A vision that can enforce the policies in the right direction, because any policy doesn't work without the cooperation of the maker and people for whom the policies are being made. Vigilance is the key to becoming a successful citizen, being aware and informed will not only make you a sharp person but rather will encourage you to perform your duties and to behold your rights.

Proper and efficient use of resources always leads to prosperity and sustainable development. The paramount objective of any citizen should be the utilization of their talent in making the best products. We must investigate the invention and its implementation to heal the economy as well as to raise the nation.

For example, building and many more materials could be made from a magical plant called Hemp, for instance, ‘Hempcrete’ which is a non-toxic and carbon-negative brick, and also it is a lightweight, breathable, and strong material. It is made with hemp, lime, and water. Not only this there are biodegradable hemp plastics, hemp clothes made up of its fibre, and it is also used in making papers. But as we all know every coin has two sides, this plant also has some drawbacks as well and hence the government has allowed this plant for industrial use but we need to get a license for it. It always depends on the innovative minds that how they constructively use a product, as there are more than 25,000 uses of this plant. Therefore, being vigilant is important.

India has set three major goals to be achieved for the period between 2020 and 2030. Increase the share of non-fossil fuels to 40% of the total electricity generation capacity, reduce the emission intensity of the economy by 33 to 35% by 2030 from the 2005 level, and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 -3 billion tonnes. Therefore is our duty to contribute to the same. For an instance, we can try to set a yearly goal in our planner to plant trees in our locality, especially on the streets and banks. We can gift plants instead of bouquets in nuptial ceremonies. We can aspire for future entrepreneurs to act renewable. Convince people to stop pollution because it is the only solution. Remember local actions will create a global impact.

It is the responsibility of our government as well to become vigilant and to take some actions to enable resilience. Although the government has already taken many initiatives to do so. But a bit more effort would permit us to utilize the opportunity in a more efficient way. For example, during this period of pandemic our agricultural sector performed well therefore if we focus on agricultural imports, the biggest item is edible oil which is worth about $10 billion. This is the area where we can become resilient by creating a competitive advantage. Through augmenting productivity and increasing the recovery ratio of oil from oilseeds and in the case of palm oil, from fresh fruit bunches. This palm oil has the potential that it could give about four tones of oil on a per hectare basis. India has about 2 million hectares that are suitable for oil palm cultivation; this can yield 8mt of palm oil. A branded quality product has the potential to increase a country's post-Covid global export share by up to 2%. Encouraging allied activities and tribal farming could also give a boost to our economy. This is the right time to establish an Agricultural Development Council, to accelerate the pace of reforms.

“This time is demanding for resilience, let’s be together and show our vigilance.”