May 1, 2020 | Adamas University

COVID-19- Boon or Bane

What is COVID-19
ICTV (International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses) and WHO (World Health Organisation) on 11th February 2020 has announced the official name of the diseases as “corona virus disease” or “COVID-19” caused by the virus “severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2” or ‘SRSS-CoV-2”. It’s a contagious disease which spreads rapidly from any respiratory droplet of infected persons or infected area. As the symptoms of this disease is very common like sneezing, coughing and breathing problem, not much focus was given to this pandemic disease at initial stage, just like many other delinquent activities of human beings towards environment. The consequences of such heedless actions are thousands of death, 15% increase of unemployment rate in India after mid-March, locked down of serious patients at home without treatment, desperate activities of daily wage workers to return home for food, violence in the society from fear and hunger etc.

Effect on Children:
As per medical practitioners children are very soft target for Corona virus and it becomes deadly for them as the immune system of children is very low. In addition the confinement inside the home is also damaging the mental health of the child. The outbreak has mostly altered the lifestyle of all children who are born-enriched with plenty of energy, curiosity and
beautiful mind which flourishes more through their daily restless activities. No virtual medium can replace nature as the only learning platform for a child. The environment of a society build the character of children, help them to grow up which has stalled for a while due to the locked down situation throughout the world. Though in another way this unusual
situation will help child to gain patience, to learn their own way of getting out of boredom, and also through proper parenting they will be able to master the technology for their wellbeing.

Effect on Young adults:
Nothing more can become a punishment for youngsters than locked at home for the whole day. Youngsters are involved in various fields of activity from academics to outdoor games, from jobs to social life. The development of a nation largely depends on the progress of young ages which is now struggling with various issues due to this unprecedented situation.
Though the pandemic has forced everyone to maintain social distancing but every setback is an opportunity for the youngster to explore their skills and talent. To overcome this shadowy situation of the whole world, all the students from different academic background along with technologists, researchers are hunting for the solution, which incidentally unfold many
alternatives for other existing problems we never thought of. In search of solution for corona virus and action against it, civil engineers have made it possible to build a hospital in Wuhan within 10 days for the corona patient. To avoid the spreading of infectious virus, engineers have used drone technology to supply food, medicines, equipment etc. in the affected zone,
which in future will help to deliver essential commodities and medicines at right time. Students are utilizing online platforms to learn advanced topics, accessing lectures on different topic by eminent professors which scrap out the disappointment of a student of not being able to get admission in reputed university. Moreover the situation reflects one quote of Ex- US President Barack Obama, “When disaster strikes it tears the curtain away from the festering problem that we have beneath them”.

Effect on Old age:
The fatality rate for old age person over 80 is more than 15% according to a data from China. Older age is more vulnerable to corona virus because of social and physical reasons. Most of the older people are already succumbed in many critical diseases like diabetes, sugar, heart block, and lung disease etc. which weaken their immunity to fight against corona. Again
many of them stay isolated in home depending only on nursing care which makes thing more difficult for them to manage daily needs during this imprisonment. The fear of getting sudden serious attack breaks them mentally. Also as all the hospitals and treatment centres are overcrowded by corona patients, they are not getting quality care and treatment this time.
Considering these facts many state governments are taking steps to keep in touch with those old residents which lower down the full dependency on nursing system at some scale, create opportunities and ways to get direct help from government, get training on digital system through various media, newspapers and social service providers, which helps them to handle various banking problems through online mode and get online delivery of necessary medicines without stepping outside at their critical health condition.

Furthermore this disaster came out as a stroke of luck to environmental system which was getting worse day by day. The environmental pollution index throughout the globe is declining every day in a dramatic way after lockdown which makes us believe that the world is a self-healing system which balances all the ebb and flow on its own way. As every war ends with peace agreements, similarly this disaster as bane which has taken the camouflage of cloud to cover the light of blessings of almighty, will move away lightening up the world with all the blessings to human life. It’s time to prove our humanity, show our integrity, generosity towards needy and indomitable will to conquer the battle against Corona Virus.

Crisis brings the id in the forefront?

While reading the article, Making brutes of us all……dehumanising…. although I agree that the present socio-political system makes us too occupied with securing our basic needs and hardly gives us the leisure which is required for higher intellectual growth and overall benefit for the society (Marx). But then again, basic survival instinct of human being as a species kicks in during crisis.

The true nature of humans does come out when pushed to corners, conflict or during crisis situation. During my fieldwork days with prisoners, drug traffickers, what I found was, for a prisoner the most important goal for him is to move out of the prison, gain his freedom. He would probably go to any length to attain that. The parameters of morality become very different and what matters is the end result. Similar conditions during riots, etc. Survival becomes the first priority.

Hence, in the present crisis, what I understood is, uncertainty about the future and basic survival instinct. Therefore, this hoarding of essential/food items irrespective of government instructions and assurance.

But there are some exceptions, humans are known to be slaves of their habit/s they develop. I have seen many individuals (not to mention few of my close relatives) who out of sheer habit of going out to market daily, would venture out even if he/she is not required to go out. They would either carry a big bag or a doctor’s prescription as means to avoid being beaten by police lathi ke maar se bachne ke liye. Now this habit made me compare to another incident – During my field work days, I had observed that villagers (predominantly women) would go to nearest market or sit near the main highway to sell whatever excess they have produced in their field or kitchen garden. They would probably sell the items at a lower rate than usual market rate. Their main motive was not to sell and earn money but more of socializing with outside world, interacting, since they hardly get the opportunity to move out of their village.

But, where do I put this present category of people who keep defying their own safety and their family members and also risking the safety of larger population. I am sure it does not fit into the need to socialize, get in touch with other people. Without going out physically they have the modern means to stay connected like mobile phones, good internet connection, voice/video calls, etc.

I don’t see a way out, seems depressing, negative and I might be termed as cynical and not critical. But what I feel is, unless the entire system changes, either I accept the system, be a part and keep toiling or make a new system. It’s like the paradigm shift of Popper, Kuhn. Unless that happens, we being part of the present system have to keep toiling and such crisis situation will keep bringing the basic nature of humans as nasty brutish and short (Hobbes, 1651), or in psychology, as per Freud’s model of the psyche, the id is the primitive and instinctual part of the mind that contains sexual and aggressive drives and hidden memories, It consists of all the inherited (i.e., biological) components of personality present at birth, including the sex (life) instinct and the aggressive (death) instinct, the super-ego operates as a moral conscience, and the ego is the realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id. Crisis brings the id in the forefront.

Courtesy: In conversation with Dr. Dibesh, Agartala

Can robots save people from Covid-19? Know more about the new humanitarian hero

Co-contributor: Ms. P Soni Reddy, CSIR Senior Research Fellow, University of Kalyani, India

The global outbreak of new pandemics like Covid-19 poses a serious threat to the safety and sustainability of humanity on the earth. The fight to save mankind gets extremely difficult when the disease is highly contagious and spreads like wildfire through person-to-person interactions. Social distancing and sanitization have emerged as two important aspects of combating such disease. However, implementing these preventive measures in densely populated countries like- India and China is a herculean task. To make this task easier robots have emerged as the new humanitarian hero in the present Covid-19 crisis.

Robots and Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV), commonly known as Drones, offer some key advantages in pandemics like Covid-19:

Enable quick and easy reach to any difficult to reach location.
Provide a swift means of transportation for the delivery of emergency items.
Perform all operations with minimum person-to-person interactions, thereby effective in restricting the transmission of the viral disease.
Provide good area coverage in a short period.

Several innovative ways of engaging robots in the fight against the present pandemic situation can be seen throughout the world.

Robots for crowd surveillance

One of the most difficult tasks in combating the pandemic is to encourage people to follow the norms of social distancing strictly. It is really difficult to monitor crowds in densely populated remote areas. In this regard, Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle (UAV), commonly known as Drones, with its ability to quickly reach remote areas compared to other modes of transport makes the job of patrolling quite easy. The option to monitor and control the crowd remotely makes it even more appealing in the current pandemic situation.

Robots for broadcasting safety message

The law enforcement agencies are finding drones equipped with facial recognition and loudspeakers an incredible tool for scanning public places, monitor the crowd, and broadcast safety messages. These drones can easily help police officials in locating areas where people are not following the rules of social distancing properly. The facial recognition feature allows in easy identification of people venturing outside without wearing masks. The integrated loudspeaker allows in broadcasting important safety messages or announcements. Safety guidelines like stay at home, follow social distancing, use a face mask, pay attention to the sanitization directions, etc can be effectively conveyed in a short period over a large area compared to traditional broadcasting techniques.

Robots for monitoring health

One of the key symptoms of Covid19 infection is high fever. Therefore, people with elevated temperatures have a high probability of being infected by the Covid19 virus. The most simple and effective method of screening Covid affected individuals is by measuring body temperature.

“Pandemic Drones” are being deployed in many parts of the world that can identify individuals with flu-like symptoms. Drones equipped with infrared cameras are found to be effective for accurate measurement of body temperatures through thermal imaging. Integration of specialized sensors, computer vision (CV), and facial recognition system along with image processing algorithms in drones allows measurement of temperature, respiratory and heart rates of individuals. In addition to this, these drones can also effectively monitor people displaying flu-like symptoms in public places and critical areas like- hospitals, nursing homes, airports, offices, etc. The “Pandemic Drones” have shown high accuracy in the measurement of heart and respiratory rates within a range of 10 meters.

Robots for telemedicine

Hospitals and critical care units across the globe are struggling to cater to the exponential surge of patients. Limited healthcare staff and critical care facilities have pushed researchers to come up with innovative solutions for the effective handling of incoming patients. Robots powered with artificial intelligence (AI) tools have shown prospects in classifying the patients into critical, mild, and new infection cases by analyzing their CT scans. This analysis would help in identifying patients requiring immediate critical care facilities. These robots can also be used to keep track of the patient’s health condition.

Similarly, robots equipped with testing kits can collect patient’s test samples and deliver them safely to the lab without the fear of any further contamination during the process. Robots powered with 5G are also being used to allow health care staff and doctors to interact remotely with the patients and gather their health statistics. This remote presence, also known as “telepresence”, of doctors before the patient provides the much-needed protection to the health care staff, the front-liners in this fight against the deadly virus.

Robots for delivery of emergency items

The contagious nature of the coronavirus has forced everyone to minimize person-to-person interactions. Lockdown across the world has led to a shortage of staff for delivering emergency supplies like- medical supplies, patient test samples, and essential food items. “Contactless delivery” is the main challenge here. During such testing times remote-controlled robots are a blessing.

Drones and autonomous vehicles are being operated to deliver critical medical supplies like– medicines, testing kits, protection gears, etc to the hospitals. Similarly, drones are also being used to collect Covid patient test samples and deliver them to the testing unit. Robots are actively used to deliver essential items to the quarantine centers including food to the patients. They are also used for collecting trash from hospitals and quarantine centers treating infected patients for safe disposal.

Robots for sanitization

Ground and aerial UAVs have been actively used across the world for sanitization of public areas, especially the Covid affected areas, healthcare centers and quarantine units to curb the spread of the infectious disease. Remotely controlled, ground operated, robotic tanks, sprayers with caterpillar tracks are being used in disinfecting streets and public spaces like- rail and bus transport stations, parking lots, housing complex, construction grounds, etc. These robots have been reported to operate at a speed of 7 km per hour covering an area of approximately 40,000 square meters in disinfectant mist.

Drones loaded with liquid disinfectants are also being used on a large scale for sanitization applications. Drones with the capacity of carrying about 15 liters of disinfectant can cover about 20 kilometers per day including round-trips to the control center for replacement of battery and disinfectant. Such coverage under within the period is difficult to match by any human conducted sanitization activity under pandemic circumstances.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) method typically used in water purification has been innovatively clubbed with robotics for fighting against Covid19. The highly concentrated short-wavelength UV-C light also known as “germicidal UV” kills all microorganisms (including virus and bacteria). UV lamps equipped self-driving robots are being effectively used in the sanitization of critical health care units and hospitals within a short period (approximately within 10 minutes). These robots can be remotely controlled using an app. UV robots loaded with a disinfectant sprayer can perform different types of sanitization activities based on the requirement.

The path ahead

As the ice at the Arctic and Antarctic melts the fear of many unknown deadly virus outbreaks looms over the world. But does that mean we should lose all hope? In the fight for survival against the present pandemic the world has found its new technological hero- Robots. Covid19, in all its negativity, has opened new areas for path-breaking innovations

Contagion- The Socio- Economic Downfall

Covid -19: The Deadly Virus

Coronavirus disease that came in light in 2019 is elucidated as a disease caused by the attack of a novel coronavirus now recognized as COVID-19 or Acute Respiratory illness. This was identified the Wuhan City in China as an epidemic of respiratory Disease. WHO got informed about the same for the first time on December 31, 2019 followed by a declaration as Global Health Emergency On January 30, 2020, and On March 11, 2020, this got declared as a Global Pandemic by The WHO.

Covid -19: A Humanitarian disaster

The world is facing Health Crisis that is taking lives and putting human beings through sufferings like never. However, this is way more than a crisis that puts the human health at stake. All segments of population are getting attacked by this virus, especially aged individuals, people with Special abilities or on low immune are getting majorly affected by this virus known as COVID 19.

The predominant symptoms for people infected by the virus are mild to moderate respiratory trouble, cough and fever. People above the age group of 60 are most exposed and vulnerable at this situation and especially people with Heart disease, Diabetes, Enduring Respiratory difficulties, Carcinoma Patients are quite prone to get affected.

This virus can be transferred from one infected to many through small droplets comes out of nose or mouth, which happens when an infected individual cough, sneezes or speaks. These droplets cannot travel far and quickly as they are relatively heavy in nature. People can catch the virus only if they are in close contact (which is less than in 1 meter or 3 feet) with the infected and through breathing this can be transmitted. Hence, this is important to maintain at least a 3feet distance if you are getting in contact with people. People can get infected even by touching objects or surfaces where any COVID 19 infected person might came in contact. This is possible when the infected droplets lands on those objects and surfaces around the person. Hence this is imperative to clean hands frequently using soaps, water and alcohol based hand rub.

Covid 19: The Socio-Economic Crisis

This COVID-19 situation is not only a health crisis, also profoundly impacting the world’s socio-economic conditions. This pandemic is attacking the societies at their core where over 1.7 million confirmed cases and 85,000+ deaths has been reported so far across the globe. Forced lockdown situation where social distancing, self-isolation, and travel limitations has significantly controlled the situation. However, this entire situation has resulted as a reduction in labor force across all sectors and numerous people have lost their jobs. The need for commodities and manufactured products has expressively gone down and factories across country is been shut to control the situation. Schools, colleges have been closed at the same time which is hinting towards economic Crisis and recession. The situation is expecting a decrease in Global economic growth as consumers are not able to purchase the goods and services available in the global economy and the failing demand for oil & new cars for commutes are causing the damage in economy as well.

Given the situation, Private companies have started laying off employees to make up for lost revenue this will create a downfall in economic spiral when the unemployed workers will no longer be able to afford to purchase unaffected goods and services. Hence, this will cause significant loss in sales and many shops will get shut which in return will impact the retail segment.

Rapid Decrease of Share price index:

In March 2020 the share prices have dropped across the board due to the pandemic. Brazilian share prices were the highest performing of all emerging and developed economies with an index value of 163.8. Contrarywise chine was the lowest performing with an index value of 77.2 currently.

Electronics:

China happened to be the leader in Electronic good supply across. Hence an interruption will impact the overall Electronics goods production.

Insurance:

Insurance companies who provide health coverage will get impacted notably due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Construction:

The logistic network of Resources like solar panels, Electronic goods and plumbing equipment, concrete boards and flooring tiles are expected to experience a major disruption across the country. As a result, the construction Industry is stimulating for slackening the Economic growth.

Tourism:

This industry got a hit at the first place when Social distancing came as the only way to control the situation, which was followed by the lockdown scenario and this industry will not come in full action until the virus gets surfaced completely.

Airlines & Shipping:

The Travel business has fallen for the very first time in over last10 years. This includes Airlines and shipping Market which has got a major hit by the outbreak situation.

Automobiles:

Due to the shortfall in Chinese component supply, automakers across Asia has closed the factories and European Automakers are planning to shut their plants if there is no improvement in the situation.

Event Management:

This segment generates business where a large group of people comes together. As a ground rule to surface this virus the country can’t think of any gathering for a long time from now. Hence the industry got hit by a dead storm which will take a significant time to evolve.

Restaurant and Entertainment:

The Food Industry, Restaurants are largely impacted as there is hardly any transaction happening and the suppliers are expecting the prices of Raw materials to fly high substantially.

The venues which used to have mass gatherings like- Movie theaters, Museum, Concerts are completely at shut situation for social isolation cause where even Olympics have been even cancelled.

Conclusion

This is very difficult to gauge the damage or impact of this outbreak situation on the world Economy but there is no deny in the fact that this will be unescapable and substantial. If the situation doesn’t improve and persist, it’s better to say that the worst is yet to happen. Across the world this impact has been closely monitored by the Investors. Even if the situation improves the impact is likely to last for long. Some businesses with weak balance sheets are likely to move out of business as well very quickly.

LIVING THROUGH COVID TO IMAGINING POST-COVID

While the nature versus nurture debate has been the most reverberating one and echoed by even Thomas Friedman in the backdrop of Covid-19 as a revenge of nature, both Alvin Toffler and Dickens missed to seize on the opportunity to write a utopian futurology or a wonderful yet fictional history. It’s truly a worst of time and yet a time while most people have got lemons thrown at them but some will truly be able to convert it to lemonade which inimitable Irrfan Khan though out of context here failed to do. The pandemic has caused havoc as any other pandemic in the past but the previous ones did not have digital blessing tagged on their tail and didn’t become an object of share market speculation.

Popular Post-Covid Projections

The projections range from utterly destructive to utopian futuristic in different areas of life. Speculations are rife that the world would become digital, bits and bytes will replace fossil fuel, home will replace office and education will be complete from childhood to higher education without any interference of teachers. Efficiency in using digital resources would determine excellence and acceptability in the job market. Artificial intelligence will replace IQ and EQ and social media and web portals will replace all religious scriptures. Journalism formats will change, education format will change and obviously economic patterns and way of living will also change.

The Naysayer

The projections are right in many ways but carry with it many holes in an otherwise watertight argument. First, it has got no nature versus nurture issue as brought out by Shakespeare in one of his dramas. Its pure greed or appetite of people, which forced the spread of virus from China’s wet market. Even in the days of pure Mother Nature, humans had an urge for eating the forbidden. The theory of China starting to develop Coronavirus 30 years ago in a lab is as close to Trumpesque bombardment based on fiction. Most probably China did not have a well-developed virology lab then. Even their Wuhan lab which might be the source by stretching the imagination farthest is not very old and some much respected Non-Chinese scientists including Lancet editor have refused to buy the theory.

Secondly while the world goes digital in terms of education, India has around 13 per cent people with Laptop in home and around 87 per cent people having a mobile phone out of which 67 per cent have internet access and the number is set to dwindle in the days of economic uncertainty. Thanks to the trend of monopolization in Indian telephony, the cost of ‘Digitall’ is set to increase. Delhi University and University of Hyderabad, the two urban and among the very best universities in the country found out very recently that majority of students cannot access digital education for financial reason. Private university students do not face this as they are full of money but with the boat of white collar jobs set to tumble in the days to come, fate of private education in India is best left to realm of fancy.

The Job Market

Jobs will become fewer not only for less demand in the market, but also the employers have come to know how more work can be done with lowest number of people. Overhead costs would be reduced by keeping employees at home and already robots are being introduced in the BPO sector, which is one of the prime destinations in India for fresher. Some distinguished commentators speculate that top notch will suffer the most. Rather it would be the middle rung at the corporate sector which would suffer the most. For a student of media, it means a great opening for the greenhorns as there would be an editor and all foot soldiers below. No deputy, associate, assistant, national, foreign editors. It’s the era of WhatsApp, Facebook page-based journalism which needs no editing. Youngsters, just out of the college, are enough and five can be employed for the salary of one deputy editor. Of course one must remember that not a single news portal till date in India has made any profit but TV Channels and newspapers would follow the above mentioned model.

Economic disparity for which India is globally known and stands at the lowest level of income distribution indicators will further widen. Except for Government employees constituting 1.4 per cent of the total workforce, all others will have their neck out under the advancing guillotine of profit-maximization model. Any corporate house having run successfully for 5 years with non-rented resources unlike the aviation sector can always bear loss for six months at least but Trump model forbids that. Already labour laws are being flouted and blue-collar workforce is asked to work for 12 hours.

Is Digital Education the Future?

Finally, education otherwise also remains a distant dream through digital platforms even in the US of America. If it were possible, Western private universities, especially the Management schools would have long back shifted to that though in strictest sense of the term, even management schools there do not operate like a typical corporate house. There is no alternative to teacher at any level of education as yet and digital resources need to be interpreted. Even in Delhi University, as admitted by one of their teachers, 40 per cent of the students can only manage exclusively English language based teaching and rest depend on bilingual discussions inside the classroom. Most digital resources follow the global route of business and obviously written in English. There was never a shortage of resources even before the digital era. It was always the paucity of intellectual mind to interpret that. Even now, best journals cannot be accessed by all and most of the things available for free are self-claimed pieces of authoritative knowledge Digital won’t be able to replace RCT for which Abhijit Binayak Bandyopadhyay got Nobel equivalent and laboratory can’t be brought home, neither human nor physical. Let’s be fair enough to consider Covid-19 as a crisis of imagination which has killed thousands in the developed West and not be allowed to cripple our minds in the East.

Corona Virus: Hits the Poor’s Stomach

40 crore Indian workers are sinking into poverty due to COVID-19

In India, with a share of almost 90 per cent of people working in the informal economy, about 400 million workers or 40 crores in the informal economy are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the crisis.

About 40 crore workers in India working in the informal economy are at risk of falling deeper into poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) said in a report today that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting 2.7 billion workers globally due to lockdowns.

COVID-19 is already affecting tens of millions of informal workers. In India, Nigeria and Brazil, the number of workers in the informal economy affected by the lockdown and other containment measures is substantial.

COVID-19 is now also impacting the developing world, where capacities and resources are severely constrained. Through the massive economic disruption, the COVID-19 crisis is affecting the world’s workforce of 3.3 billion.

Half a billion people face poverty after COVID-19

It is estimated a 400-600 million increase in the number of people in poverty across the globe as a result of the pandemic, was drafted by the United Nations University and written by experts at King’s College London and Australian National University (ANU).

The ‘Emergency Rescue Package for All’ published, would enable poor countries to provide cash grants to those who have lost their income and to bail out vulnerable small businesses.

While European and North American countries have already announced financial rescue programmes for industry, small businesses and individuals suffering losses as a result of the lockdown imposed to control the COVID- 19 pandemic, developing countries are facing more devastating economic hits after imposing their own curfews and restrictions.

The NGO has also called for a programme of ‘helicopter money’ from the European Central Bank: cash payments directed to all individuals in member states affected by the crisis. This would help people, companies and the economy cope with the decrease in economic activity, support workers’ income and prevent deflation.

To fund their economic stimulus programmes, EU member states should agree on an EU solidarity wealth tax, coordinated in every country to avoid that wealth is shifted from one country to another.

In India COVID-19 lockdown means no food or work for daily wagers

At least 90% of India’s workforce is employed in the informal sector, according to the International Labour Organization, working in roles like security guards, cleaners, rickshaw pullers, streets vendors, garbage collectors and domestic helps. Millions of Indians also earn money as street entrepreneurs – people who own small businesses and employ people like themselves.

Most do not have access to pensions, sick leave, paid leave or any kind of insurance. Many do not have bank accounts, relying on cash to meet their daily needs. Millions in underdeveloped regions face penury and deprivation as economic activity grinds to a halt due to lockdown.

Just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an unprecedented three-week lockdown to halt the spread of the corona virus, who lives in a village in Maharashtra in western India ran out of money and groceries.

Therefore, we have been able to learn that poverty is one of the major issues in the world that need to be address quickly in the poorest villages in which thousands of people are dying, and most of these people are children.

We have learned that poverty refers to the condition of not having the means to afford basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, healthcare, clothing, food, and a place to live, poverty is a deadly issue that’s killing our population slow and that we as the affected ones need to take actions against it.

We have also learned that poverty that affect mostly poor people, because of the little resources they have, this means that poverty is an issue that’s harming poor people that want to get out of poverty, but they can’t because they don’t have the support of rich people.

Even though there are a lot of people trying to stop poverty, it is impossible to stop it without the support of rich countries, this is because to fight poverty we have to fight it with a lot of money and their only a few countries that could support us with this need.

Something else that we have learned is that poverty today is looking worst then when it first started; millions of kids are living on piles of trash dying of starvation. The reason there are so many people living in poverty is because millions of other people are spending money in things they don’t need.

By Rajar Samadder , B.Com Semester VI

COVID 19 Lockdown Increases Cyber Crime

The COVID 19 virus has affected most countries in the world, India being one of them with over 19000 people infected till date. Taking into consideration the risk of COVID19, the government announced an initial lockdown of 21 days across India which started from March 25, 2020. The lockdown was further till May 3, 2020.

During this period all the private as well as government offices have remained closed and most employees are working from home, making security the next major concern. Security of companies is at stake as all data such as financial information, trade secrets, customer information and such other confidential information of the company is accessible to the employees from their homes with a click of a button. It is essential for employees to take utmost care of the company’s data and secure it from other members of the family and friends in order to avoid misuse of data or breach of confidential information. Apart from company’s information, personal sensitive information and financial information of an individual is also at risk in view of the increase in the Cyber Attacks.

Spyware, Malware, Ransom ware and COVID19 – Virus Attacks

During this period of the lockdown, people are accessing social media websites such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc., more frequently in addition to watching movies and series by subscribing to web channels like Netflix, Amazon, HotStar, Zee 5 etc. and also indulging in online games by installing various applications. All these activities is supported by the internet. People tend to provide and/or give permissions to access their personal information readily available on their phones, laptops and/or social media accounts in order to use the services provided by the applications. Many a times, in order to purchase apps or access online services, financial information too is shared by the users. Additionally, in view of the ‘stay home, stay safe’ government notification, people have become more dependent on various payment gateways to pay their utility bills, premiums, recharge their mobile phones, buy medicines and essential commodities online and indulge in various such online activities. All these activities have opened the door for spyware and ransom ware attacks. A spyware steals sensitive personal data of the user while, ransom ware takes control over the login and other vital credentials of a person. These attacks may result into huge losses to people not only financially but also otherwise.

In order to avoid such attacks various agencies are suggesting certain counter-measures and healthy practices that one can adopt. Operating systems and secured apps are sending regular updates to its users in order to resolve security vulnerabilities and provide additional security. As per the recent report of the International Criminal Police, Cyber Attackers were trying to target major hospitals and medical institutions in 194 countries including India to obtain information about COVID 19 through ransom ware and malware. There are almost 22 malwares which are detected in India. Therefore, it is essential to secure mobile devices, computers and applications (apps) by installing antivirus systems and making necessary changes in the security settings to prevent sensitive data from being lost or compromised.

[Picture Source: Google Images]

Fake News or Rumours:

Another primary issue that has emerged is fake news or rumours that are spreading rapidly across the country. Some examples of rumours and their side effects are discussed below. In March, the misleading information on social media where it was declared that ‘chicken is a carrier of Coronavirus’, cost the poultry industry an estimated loss of Rs. 1.6 billion per day. In another event, an audio clip went viral on social media wherein it was claimed that vegetable sellers were licking/spitting on the vegetables to spread the Corona virus. Eventually, the government intervened and issued a statement claiming that the audio clip was fake. There was another rumour that the Supreme Court had advised the government to restore 4G Internet in J&K within 24 hours. A fake document to this effect was circulated through social media websites which resembled an original Court order. There were also rumours stating that the government was going to reduce 30% pension during the lockdown period. It was observed that various rumours with respect to COVID19 virus too were false and were meant to create tension or fear amongst the people. There was a fake news circulated which enumerated a treatment to the COVID 19. Such news is not only unethical but could also lead to severe consequences.

The Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended) is regulating the Cyber Crimes in India. Indian Ministry of Communication and Technology’s e-governance department is also working towards promoting new apps related to the control of the COVID19. However, it is also essential to be cautious and responsible while sharing the data, handling company’s information and before sharing any message on social media platforms.

Trisha Sahoo, B.Com, 6^th Semester.

PROBABLE IMPACT OF COVID – 19 ON INDIAN BANKING SECTOR

The pandemic CORONA Disease which has created mayhem is a situation which every person living in this planet has witnessed for the first time. This has directly or indirectly affected every country and every class of people. As on 29.04.2020, 32.21 Lakhs people have been infected and the death toll has reached 2.29 Lakhs.

United States, Spain, Italy United Kingdom, Germany, France, Turkey, Russia and Iran are most affected by this virus. India is still in a better position with 33 Thousand affected and 1074 deaths. But the pandemic is still growing with 1813 new cases as on 29.04.2020.

Such massive situation is bound to impact the Indian Economy very badly and it may delay the Government’s aim of reaching $5 Trillion by 2024-25. It will affect all the sectors of economy but the impact will be felt mostly on the following sectors:

Aviation Sector
Hotels
Tourism
Real Estate
Entertainment
Textiles
Steel
Power/Energy
Banks
NBFCs
Automobile
MSMEs

Keeping in mind the Government’s agenda of achieving $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, government has emphasized the actions of Banks in supporting important sectors of economy.

If we try to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on Banking Sector, which is the ultimate support for any financial/economic activity, we will see the following points:

Decrease/Lack of Growth in Deposit Base:

Since the start of Lockdown imposed by the Central Government, most economic activities have been stopped. Depositors have started to panic and they are withdrawing their fund from bank accounts for any emergency. With persons working in unorganized sectors having NIL or minimum income their savings are zeroed out. Even after the situation returns to normal, it will take a much longer time for people to have extra fund available for savings. Some large corporates are also forced to go for pay cuts and organizations are planning to cut expenses. So the chances of banks increasing their deposit base are very low.

Further worsening the situation is the trend showing reduction in Low Cost Deposit or CASA (Savings Deposits and Demand Deposits) which is directly related to Bank’s profitability and Lending Rates.

Decrease in Retail Lending:

With expected lower income of middle class, spending and investing habit will undergo huge change. The near future will see drop in purchase of residential property which will hamper the secured retail loan growth.

The automobile industry is already in stress and has undergone dip in units sold YoY. With the CORONA situations prevailing, chances of any increase in sales of personal vehicles in the upcoming festive season are pretty less. This will further impact retail lending of banking sector.

Stress in Asset Quality:

RBI and Ministry of Finance has provided certain relaxation for Loan holders due to financial stress faced by them due to CORONA Outbreak and lockdown imposed.

However the worrying situation prevails as:

With income drying up for small businesses and persons with less income, chances of them being able to continue repaying EMIs/Interests are doubtful.
The aviation industry being Capital Intensive Sector, is having large borrowings from banks. With passenger air traffic being stopped for a longer period, aviation companies will be out of fund to repay the bank borrowings.
Hotel Industries are also going to bear the brunt. With bare minimum transportation (even after lockdown is withdrawn) chances of tourism industry bouncing back is very less. Further, corporates are adopting Video Conferencing and Tele-Meetings which will further drop the occupancy rate of hotels. With no substantial income coming, hotel / tourism sectors are likely to default and put stress in the asset quality of banks.
With less demands from industries, steel sectors will not be able to generate cash/fund inflows required for repaying bank borrowings.
Power/Energy sector is experiencing less demand and not able to generate revenues. This will also worsen their capacity to service bank repayments.
Bank’s having exposure to NBFCs will face the heat although RBI has granted three month’s moratorium to them.
With MSMEs facing the toughest periods, loans/credits granted to MSMEs are bound to have defaults.

Reduction in Operating Profits:

With decreased Low Cost Deposits, Cost of Lending will be higher. However, banks will not be in a position to increase the Interest Rates for Loans. This will impact the operating profit of Banks. With waiver of minimum balance charges , waiver of charges on digital transactions, increased cost of operation due to this pandemic, hampering of normal business, banks will experience reduction in operating profit.

Mounting of Provisions on Bad Loans:

With asset qualities decreasing, banks will have to add provisions for bad and doubtful loans. This will impact the Net Profit. Further, standard retail loans and secured loans attract less provision. Since, banks are advised to provide more finance to MSME sectors and Unsecured Loans, provisions will be on the higher side directly decreasing the Net Profits.

Delay in recovery proceedings:

Due to lockdown, DRT, Courts and DM Offices where large number of applications from banks regarding default in payment are pending are not functioning. This is delaying the recovery and collection efficiency.

Recruitment/ Increase of Branches by Banks:

As on 31.03.2018 there were 27 PSBs in India. After merger, the number is now 12 as on 01.04.2020. Now where the merged/consolidated banks are having more than one branches are being closed. This is leading to decrease in bank branches and pause in mass recruitment by PSBS. Further, with less economic activities and lower business growth, any substantial recruitment by banks in India is not on the cards.

Except these, with new work cultures being adopted by industries and largely by societies, the actual impact on banks can be assessed only after normalcy returns and at lease 3-4 quarters of normal business.

Result of Axis Bank (Declared on 28.04.2020):

Most of the Indian Banks have not published their results for Q4 2020.

On 28.04.2020, Axis Bank has declared their results for Q4 2020. The same can be summarized by:

Net Loss stood at 1387.78 Crore against Net Profit of 1505.06 Crore in the same period Last Year.
Provisions and Contingencies increased by 185% YoY and stood at 7730.02 during the quarter ( Of this 3,000 Crore is related to COVID-19 ).
Slippage of 3,920 Crore has been recognized for the Quarter against 3,012 Crore last year.

With Government and RBI taking various steps for uplifting of Indian Economy post Covid-19 situations and nearly 10 lacs bankers working for the larger cause of society and uplifting of Indian Economy, we can hope that the bad impact of CORONA Virus in the Banking sector and overall Economy will be minimized. This will require dedication, discipline, honesty, right attitude from all the sectors of society. On the changed global scenario, this is also an opportunity to improve the Indian Economy and transform India into a Financial Super Power .

COVID 19 AND INDIA’S LEX LATA: COMBATING THE LEGAL WAY

It is now known to about the novel corona virus also better known as Covid 19, with the scientific name of SARS-COV-2 which triggers acute respiratory disease. WHO has claimed Corona virus disease to be an infectious disease affecting most people’s respiratory tract. While the majority people may recover from this illness many older people and/or people having other underlying medical conditions such as tuberculosis, COPD, heart related issues, diabetes, cancer, etc. are prone to its severity. It damages the autoimmune system. The pandemic, as it is declared by the WHO has brought the whole world to a standstill and under isolated quarantine to slowdown the transmission and to prevent the human chain from building. Having its root to what has been investigated in Wuhan, China it has spread to more than 210 countries which have reported the augment of this disease in their region. India has also been trying to tackle this epidemic since the 3^rd week of March. The mitigation and control of this virus by India is being looked upon by not just the subcontinent but by the whole world.

India’s Fight with the Colonial Era Law.

The main law to tackle and control the pandemic in India is the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897, which dates back to the pre-independence British India. This short legislative framework was prepared hurriedly just after the 1896 Bombay bubonic plague. Though even then it was of not much use to protect against the second flare-up which occurred in India during the 1918. A much awaited amendment has been made recently to section 2 of this Act, so that the required implementation by the union could be done. Though the law, penalised by sentencing and fine or both and restricting any legal proceeding against any person or authority for anything done or to be done in good faith under this Act, it has been described as archaic which doesn’t allow one to understand it with a scientific temper. It lacks in encouragement of science and innovation related to any cure or vaccination of the diseases or to set up any incubation centre or a committee. Though states have their own medical related laws and rules which in a vast country such as ours as per population size, may differ on various grounds from each other. The states are constitutionally supported to have their own laws to restrict interstate movements and quarantine actions and policing to tackle and prevent such outbreaks as a response.

The union law deals with port quarantine, including in connection with seamen’s and marine hospitals, and interstate quarantine. State legislatures may provide for matters relating to public health and sanitation, hospitals, dispensaries, and prevention of animal diseases. The union government and states have concurrent jurisdiction to prevent transmission from one state to another of infectious or contagious diseases or pests affecting humans, animals, or plants.

New Age Lex-Lata

A bill pertaining to public health was proposed in the last decade twice in both the regimes of the Government, but in the 1^st proposal the bill was discarded by all the states calling it an usurping of their constitutional powers, which at least gives the state the right to deal with the matters such as public health and sanitation, hospitals and other related infrastructures and prevention of animal diseases and quarantine as well. It is in the knowledge to all of us that there exists in the concurrent list, the prevention of transmission interstate of infectious diseases which are contagious and/or which might affect animals (swine flu), plants, or humans as well.

The 2^nd proposal to repeal the Epidemic law of 1897 by the health and family welfare ministry which was put to table of the house as public health (prevention, control and management of epidemics, bio terrorism and disasters) bill 2017. It could have helped in our current situation as it dealt explicitly with quarantining and isolation of people suspected of catching the disease infectious in nature. It also empowered the union with respect to the states and other local bodies for ensuring the control and limiting the spread in such an emergent situation for the greater good of the society and public interest. The proposed law’s penalising provision by fine of rupees 1 lac or imprisonment up to two years or both, if anyone found violating the law intentionally was a need of the hour today in our society.

Management of Biological Disaster guideline was also proposed in 2008 after realising that the obsolete epidemic act was of not much use to us, the national disaster management plan 2019 with the guidelines of 2008 is put into practise.

The current practise adopted by India is to impose in the society the concept of social distancing and self-quarantining at their respective homes. Our India Penal Code, of the year 1860 was a visionary move, where disobeying public servant’s lawful order (to restrict unnecessary movement out of houses) resulting in violation of the quarantine norms may result in a jail term of one month or fine up to rupees two hundred or both and if the disobedience causes danger to human life, health or safety, the person can be punished with an imprisonment of six months or a fine of rupees one thousand or both. Further, section 269 imprisons or fines or both, any person found guilty for any negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, section 270 is in furtherance of section 269 where any person knowing that their actions could lead to spread of contagious disease and still does it shall be penalized for this malignant act, section 271 punishes with imprisonment for violation of quarantine rule.

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, empowers the executive magistrate to restrict the gathering of people residing in a particular area/place. This is one of the most important preventive steps taken up by many states to ensure curb on spreading of the virus.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 as an entry in the social security and social insurance in the concurrent list provides a constitutional remedy for the people of India. As our Honourable Prime Minister is the chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority and has the power vested u/s 6 of this act to create an authoritative action. It has a concocted effort by all high functionaries to implement its plan and policies at various local, state and national levels. Various sections under the act (Ss 10, 12, 13, 18, 24, 35, 36, 38, 39, 62, 71, 72, etc.) provide proper enforcement to alleviate our country from this biological disease.

In these times, the hasty and selfish paranoia purchase of essentials good are also supposed to be regulated so that enough is available for the society as a whole and not lead to a sudden price rise due to scarcity. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 empowers the Central and state governments concurrently to control production, supply and distribution of certain commodities in view of rising prices. It provides knowledge to the citizens on what shall be counted as essential during such critical phases.

Conclusion

Although much cannot be done by imposing law and order on the masses, a general sense of awareness and hygiene habits can help the individuals to curb the spreading. Though our frontline warriors are giving their absolute best we as responsible citizens shall help the taskforce with our cooperation at such a critical phase.

References:

https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/coronavirus-live-updates-india-corona-cases-worldwide-covid-19-death-toll-lockdown-corona-vaccine-plasma-us-maharashtra-delhi-ap-latest-news-120042900120_1.html
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2020/04/tarique-faiyaz-covid-19-quarantine-india/
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/how-india-is-fighting-coronavirus-with-a-colonial-era-law-epidemics/articleshow/74752473.cms?from=mdr
https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/faq-on-the-essential-commodities-act-114070800735_1.html

Sustainable Development in the wake of Covid-19

Since the pandemic Coronavirus, we have been noticed that there’s a change in our environment. Venice canals are filled with clear water, blue skies over Delhi, Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting in the beach of Odisha and even the wild animals are roaming confidently in locked-down cities. For a moment this news brings joy and happiness in us and we start sharing this news over social media. But if we take a step back and think we will realise our mother nature was supposed to be filled with clear water, air, soil and the wild and human will presumably coexist. Unfortunately, which took thousands of lives to realise the importance of the environment.

The ongoing Pandemic COVID-19 has thrown up unforeseen challenges to the world. The world is more than a century since the Spanish Flu hasn’t seen something big a disaster of such magnitude and scale. This pandemic has not only brought about deaths but has brought the world to its knees in terms of economy, geopolitics, social developments, health care, international relations, and most importantly Sustainable Development. The moot question that arises from this Pandemic is the world is yet ready to achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)? Having said this, it is also pertinent to know where the world stood before this Pandemic. Were the countries were rigorously following the SDGs or there were lacunae in implementing the same. Is the world going to be the same after the end of this pandemic? Probably the answer is in the negative.

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) vis-à-vis Covid-19

If there was ever any uncertainty that our world tackles mutual challenges, this pandemic is leading that idea categorically putting our mind into critical thinking. The present crisis leads us to think about the interdependence of our world. It has carried to the point where the imperative need for universal action to meet people’s basic needs, to save the planet, and to build a better and further secure world. We are challenged with common, global challenges that can only be resolved through common and universal tenacities. This is what all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are all about.

Unfortunately, this fierce, unexpected on-set pandemic has stricken at a moment when the SDGs were receiving decent response and acceptance and a substantial number of countries were making quite a progress in implementing those in their national front. But the spread of coronavirus is also diverting the priorities of the countries from SDGs to the economic, political, and social front for their survival. At this very moment, the priority for any country is to save lives over anything, and while doing so the countries are reallocating their natural resources to deal with the current threat. Which is the right thing to do as the lives of human beings among others are one of the priorities when it comes to the survival of the fittest?

However, one question remains, do we even have the right to invest all our natural resources to combat Covid 19? Or can we completely disregard the importance of SDGs while saving mankind over the mother nature? Because these SDGs are the world’s best plan and solution towards a better future for mankind and the environment and their coexistence by the year 2030. The United Nation adopted the SDGs in the year 2015 and selected 17 alarming issues[1] which need serious attention of us to endorse prosperity while shielding the environment. The recent pandemic has been a peril to some of the SDGs such as, ‘zero poverty’, ‘zero hunger’, ‘good health and well-being’, ‘decent work and economic growth’, and ‘responsible consumption and production’. It is showing that what we are doing for the environment and mankind is not enough and they are still vulnerable to a condition like this. The situation more and more trying to convince us to recognise the importance of SDGs in saving the world after Covid- 19.

In this global pandemic, any country alone cannot fight for a better future. It needs the support and expertise of institutions like the United Nations. Recently, the UN has requested the support of all the nations in analysing the immediate health threats worldwide and requested help to conquer the transmission of the deadly virus. They believe that to terminate the global pandemic we can no longer ignore the sustainable development and its goals especially those which focus on ‘people’ particularly, women, youth, daily-wage workers, vulnerable groups, etc. who are already at risk. At this moment working together will lead us to restore the balance in nature, saving lives, reinstate livelihood, and will help to bring the global economy back on track.

Nonetheless, even in this emergency, we cannot afford to move natural resources away from priority SDGs’ actions. Yes, the response towards the pandemic should be our main focus right now but even so, we cannot divulge from our responsibilities to the SDGs, because before the pandemic the world was not in a position to spare any natural resources. However, attaining the SDGs will place us on the right path and strengthen our capacity to deal with universal health risks including deadly viruses and other vulnerable diseases (Sustainable Development Goal 3[2]).

The UN with the help of its efficient research team has adequate information that mostly all the 17 SDGs have been compromised more or less during this global pandemic. Unfortunately, for the survival of humankind and the environment, this is quite dangerous and upsetting for our future. People all over the world are losing their jobs, livelihood, millions of students have been forced away from education and most nations are unable to control this rapid change. Many countries are incapable of combating Covid-19 due to the higher poverty rate and increasing pollution in the environment. At this point, we need to admit that we will not be able to face this crisis if we overlook various SDGs relevant to this pandemic. At this critical hour, we cannot refute the fact that the crisis is teaching us a very important lesson which is working towards a future where mankind coexists with nature.

Building towards a better future:

No matter how difficult the situation is in front of us we must try to turn the table here. We should attempt to make this crisis into a prospect to achieve the necessary and important SDGs globally. All the nations are trying to keep aside their differences and supporting each other to fight against the deadly virus. The same enthusiasm can be used to protect and conserve our environment. We should put our hands together as one and support the sustainable development goals to achieve the balance which helps to restore the earth towards a better future.

We have the knowledge and technology to strive for a better future and attain all the SDGs. It is only when no pandemic can drag us back to the horrifying state where are people dying without the proper mechanism to combat the deadly virus and also without necessities. If we take these SDGs seriously then only it is possible to restore global prosperity. We should walk forward to a healthy and safer world where the Venice canals are filled with clear water, blue skies over Delhi, and Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting on the beach of Odisha without the threat of any pandemic. We need a world where human values the importance of environment and his surroundings without the fear of any global crisis but out of pure responsibility starting with the extending his support towards achieving the sustainable development goals.

References:

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200326-covid-19-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-environment
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1062322
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/category/covid-19/

Image Reference : https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/12/sustainable-development-goals-kick-off-with-start-of-new-year/