Solving World Problems

 Politicians, or governing bosses by whatever name, have been claiming that they will solve problems like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, inequity across the world. Not only have these remained unsolved, there are new problems now, like schools becoming shooting ranges, ethnic conflicts, empire-mongering (for want of a better word), and in general, unethical behaviour among many sections of people- not just politicos.

So nature shows its middle finger, once in a while, with climate change, earthquakes, and tornadoes or hurricanes. Major man-made disasters like COVID- no matter WHO is to blame (pun unintended) add to the misery of the hardest hit.

Corporates were thought to be the panacea, because many of them create wealth. But no longer are we sure that this wealth is shared with society, the way it was envisaged. So we compel them to through a gamut of laws including CSR and Sustainability standards etc.

The short point of this piece, is that we have a long way to go in solving problems. And tech is not the answer, all by itself. Human evolution might be. But looking at history, your guess is as good as mine, on when that is likely to happen.

Caselets on People- 4

 These are a few colleagues at NMIMS Bangalore, which I headed from November 2020 till Oct. 2022- the peak of COVID (2nd wave) included. Came out unscathed thanks to some of them too.

Narayani

Not sure where she gets her energy from, but she is indefatigable, like another colleague I had before. MBA chair, but also my successor as Campus head at Bangalore (NMIMS). Very meticulous note-taker, and therefore effective in writing up, documenting things. Wish her all the best in running the campus. I am sure she will run it better than I did.

Prerona

She was hired when we were in near-dire straits in the Economics area, and she proved her mettle, after being thrown into leading the program as a chairperson.. baptism by fire. Very level-headed, pleasant to work with, and a budding Golfer!

Archana

My secretary at Bangalore. Coincidentally, she has the same name as my secretary at IMT Nagpur. She is very calm, and despite a personal tragedy during COVID, has done well to recover and back her kids- one has gone to study in the U.S. 

Vishnu Bhat

With a name like that, you can't go wrong. He has ably managed admin. at Bangalore campus, including the tough job of coordinating with Head office for various approvals. The hostels too, though they are outsourced. Invaluable in my stint as director at NMIMS Bangalore.

Ekalavya

Rock-solid on placements, he has actually set up the processes and the relationships with corporates from scratch. No wonder the alumni hold him in great respect. Helped me meet up with quite a few alums and current placecom teams during my stint. The success of the MBA program rests on his shoulders to a large extent.

Colleagues No More

 I mean ones who are no more, or who have passed away.

Recently, a former roommate from the school hostel at Hyderabad passed away. He was generally in good health, and had no history of any problems. Just died of a heart attack. 

That made me think of some others who were my colleagues or friends. One was a lively faculty member at IMT in Ghaziabad. I came to know she died after a battle with cancer, after I had left IMT. Had no idea she was ill, even. Maybe it was discovered later. 

Another three that died early. My good friend and classmate at Osmania engineering seems to have had some kind of a rare infection many years ago, and died from it, though most people survive. A colleague at IFIM, and at KIAMS, who may have brought it on himself, with his lifestyle. And earlier, yet another colleague and great friend in the U.S., who also had an early demise, probably caused by some lifestyle and consequential issues.

COVID has been relatively kind to my friends' circle and most who got it came away unscathed. Not so with office colleagues, some of whom lost a loved one.

Second Wave Ebbs

 I mean the COVID wave in India, or at least most of India. But like an ocean's waves, a third wave may be preparing to hit us if we don't watch out. It seems to be readying itself in some western countries. 

We were completely foxed by how quickly the second one rose to affect lots of people, hospitalise some and kill some. There is a bit more preparedness here, perhaps, but much recklessness too.

As an educational institute, we hope we can run classes at the campus instead of online. Students have told us they hope for the same, and we are exploring ways to do that in a safe manner. We have all had enough, but till a large number is vaccinated, it is still wise to be cautious. 

So we don't have a repeat! Be safe, get vaccinated, and still wear a mask. Let's beat it this time at least.

Anopheles on Current Events 2021

 My dear friend Anopheles was with me after a long hiatus. I wished her a Happy Mothers' Day. But her mind was elsewhere. She said, "What is black-marketing? Aren't you a marketing prof.?"

"Yes," I had to agree. And added "Though we don't put it in white and black categories, it's an illegal practice of selling something for more than it's real or legal price. Sometimes it's harmless, like cinema tickets or cricket match tickets. Known as scalping in America." 

"And your pals are selling life-saving machines and stuff in black?" she looked incredulous. 

I must admit this didn't look very good for the country, or humankind which was turning out to be unkind- heartless, even. Still, I tried to defend us as a species.

"It's just a few bad apples among us. Lots of people are actually helping out with free medicines, or oxygen too." I said weakly.

She was caustic. "Well, if your species goes down or vanishes, don't blame us. We neither caused this Corona thing to spread, nor are we responsible for how you behave in times of a crisis. At the most, maybe there were cases of malaria, or chickengunya that we were spreading. But you found cures for these. Why can't you find cures for COVID?"

I said, "Not sure, but we were busy buying guns, or manufacturing them, or both. Didn't have money left for scientific or medical research." 

"That should teach you a lesson you won't forget in a hurry." was all she had to say. I didn't want to stretch the conversation any longer, and so I promised to discuss this another day, and called it a night.

Mayday

 May used to be a month of school vacations, right from childhood. Though hot, we had compensations like a swimming outing in our club, and mangoes, and visits to cousins in slightly cooler places, as we grew up in the hot coal-mining towns of Kothagudem, Ramagundam and Bellampalli. So a trip to Pune was almost like going to a hill station. 

This time around, though, the situation is unreal. There is a forced Work From Home for most. The COVID situation is actually worse than it was last year, at this time. Though we know a lot more about the virus, somehow we seem less prepared for the ferocity with which it is now hitting city after city, even smaller towns.

Hunkering down and waiting for it to pass seems like the only option available, hoping you won't catch it, and getting vaccinated is the other. Of course, double-masking too, and distancing, when you have to go out of the house.

Here's hoping that the nightmare will end soon, and wishing everyone a safe month ahead. 

Vaccination for COVID in Large Numbers

 Finally, I got my first shot.. 

There has been a lot of discussion around vaccination, for and against. But I decided it's a good idea for majority of people to get vaccinated, rather than not get vaccinated. So, like many of my eligible family and friends, I got the first shot of Covishield made by Serum Institute, I believe.. second one will be between 45-60 days. Hope that means a lesser chance of catching or spreading it.

Of course, you should think for yourself, about pros and cons, but it seems safe for 45 plus people, since many have taken it, so no harm at least will be done-my thoughts.

Also, I think the vaccine should now go to people in colonies, educational institutes once the age limit goes down, so as to speed up the drive. In Bangalore, I hear some apartment blocks have started it. When we reopen in June or July, I think educational institutes should vaccinate students to prevent loss of another academic year, if allowed to.

Think of Yourself as...

 The COVID pandemic has taught us many things over 2020. Among other things, that a lot of work can happen online, if we have a decent internet connection and a device like a computer or a smartphone. But if you are still in a funk about all the restrictions it puts on your freedom to move around, travel, and so on, there is a solution.

Just think of yourself as an air-conditioner. Why? Because it has an air filter. Just as it filters the air supplied to its users in a car or home or office, you are sticking an air filter (mask) on your face and thus supplying filtered air to yourself and others you come in contact with. Isn't that a great thing to do? Many other germs that are potentially harmful also will get controlled, and that is good for everyone on the planet, especially those around you. Of course, air-conditioners don't wash their hands, but then, you can always teach them a thing or two, can't you, with your superior intelligence?

So What is New?

 Mostly, it's a matter of perspective. Not much would change in a day. But just as books have chapters, we like to look at time in compartments. Calendars are on way to do it, and clocks are another. The stars were quite enough for our ancestors. They kept time by them.

Also, it gives us a chance to think about where we may be headed, in the next block of time-365 days approximately, in this case. Whole industries have been shaken up by the COVID pandemic, and countries too, in many cases. Some are on their way to recovery. It's not that we are new to man-made disasters..we have had plagues, cholera and lots of other killers-malaria, for example. Even though some of these are spread by rats or mosquitoes, we create conditions that help the spread.

If you want a one line summary of the learning from this pandemic, it could be -" Clean up your act, humans." In more ways than one, we have dirtied the planet, and ourselves. Soap is not going to cure all those ills, nor sanitisers. Unless we live sensibly (some sense has hopefully been forced on us), it will be another disaster, and then another. 

Here is hoping that we learn, and progress, as humans are meant to be (I think).

Anopheles and Covid Vaccines

 Anopheles was back once again after a while, and I gave her a quick update on the COVID situation in India and the world. I said, "This has proved more dangerous than anything that mosquitoes have done to us." She couldn't resist a smile. She said, "Aren't you supposed to have a vaccine?"

I told her the truth. basically, that we don't know if and when we would have one. I said, "Oxford has a vaccine coming up that may be the one.." . She said, "What about Cambridge?"

I said I didn't know, though I was wondering how she knew that Oxford and Cambridge were usually spoken about in the same breath.

I told her Sputnik was the first one off the mark, but it went UP in smoke, and has not been heard of since. Also, that China does not need one, since there is no outbreak there any more. She raised her eyebrows (OK, its equivalent..mosquitoes don't have eyebrows, I know). 

"Are you going to take a shot if they want to give you one?" she asked, putting me in a spot.

"I really don't know," I said. "I don't know if enough of them will be available anytime soon. Plus, the data on its efficacy is a bit sketchy."