By Rusen Kumar
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious and unprecedented impact across the economies and society in general, particularly in India. 2021 was different in every aspect and held more than its fair share of challenges. 2021 was a year where India demonstrated that our people come first – when lives depended on ensuring taking all necessary precautions. India implemented numerous initiatives towards ensuring the health, well-being and safety of our people.
India reeled under the new coronavirus pandemic situation that disrupted our collective sense of the normal, and also witnessed a crisis of unprecedented nature and effect. The harsh situation continues to remain serious, and therefore, we should continue to support our people and our communities.
However, India also saw the best of human nature at this time. India continually witnesses magnificent examples of resilience. India’s collective resolve to stand with communities, to inspire hope and healing. India is determined to come out stronger from this pandemic than we have ever been. As a sustainable and responsible India, everything we do is to inspire by a deep sense of purpose.
Our collective values have held us in good stead at this time, and they are the foundation on which we have built our success and results. It is heartening to see India rise to the challenge and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of people. In India, the pandemic situation continues to remain serious, and therefore, we continue to support our people and our communities.
India proved the solidity of the Covid-19 strategy. This has helped India quickly adapt to new ways of being stronger together and gain greater momentum addressing key challenges. Government responses in the year 2022 continue to stand robust, both economic and in terms of meeting and exceeding people’s expectations.
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 150.61 Cr on January 8, 2022. India is accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through the availability of enough vaccines, advanced visibility of vaccine availability for enabling better planning and streamlining the vibrant vaccine supply chain.
We need to have put in place multiple task forces for people’s hospitalization, medication and vaccination. We need to expand the scope of our employee benefits from medical and term insurance to provide for the families of employees we lost to this terrible virus. Throughout this challenging period, India responded very quickly to prioritize the health and safety of our people and continued to provide a reliable supply of medicines, vaccination and necessary help to the patients across the country.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, India has given COVID Vaccines free of cost to people. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, India will procure and supply (free of cost) 75% of the vaccines being produced by the manufacturers in the country to various states.
The Indian business cemented its strength with its persistent effort to enhance profitability by improving upon the overall quality of the business. During the year 2022, India needs to continually launch new initiatives and economic relief to Covid-19 affected people and businesses. While India has performed well in the year 2021, It has started 2022 on an optimistic note.
People, civil society and businesses, who collectively enable India to create value by helping each other, will keep focusing on India’s strategic priorities and leveraging their strengths. Trust, confidence, and support to government efforts toward Covid-19 are key for overcoming challenges. Notwithstanding the challenges of the times, Indian businesses should continue to think from the heart and act with a high head – to care for people, covid-19 patients and communities.
Shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the unexpected and overwhelming year of 2021 that went by affected every aspect of our lives. In the face of this unprecedented volatility, India made proactive investments in people, processes, operations and technologies that tackle the Covid-19, so that India could deliver strong operational performance throughout the year and into the 2022 and future.
Throughout 2021, India worked hard to strengthen the long-term value of people and business, to emerge stronger coming out of the pandemic. This has been possible due to the hard work, perseverance, and commitment of India’s people. Our priority for the year 2022 will remain to ensure the health and safety of our people. Let’s put in place extensive measures to protect our people and their families, yet sadly we lost several of our valued fellow citizens.
All responsible corporate citizens must continue to extend all forms of support to COVID-19 relief efforts. In a year of turmoil, Indian corporations should be proud and humbled to have been able to serve our communities and needy people.
The year 2021 was a year that showed us the true capability that India has, and how much more we can do in 2022. I am very excited about the opportunities ahead for our people and business.
About the Author
Rusen Kumar is the founder and CEO of India CSR – The CSR Informer of India. He regularly writes on CSR, Sustainability and Environmental affairs. He brings an understanding of governance, leadership development, social development, human development, and strategic focus by serving boards. His leadership accomplishments in social enterprise, planning, and governance range from viable achievements in knowledge forum initiatives to advancement of corporate social responsibility issues in India. He can be reached at rusenk@indiacsr.in
