Humanity rings in the New Year with renewed confidence, past the trauma of a wasted and terrible season that tested every individual’s patience across the globe – and in the most worrisome situations in living history. The end for killer Covid-19 is not in sight and new threats from within the same virus family are arising. Yet, there now exists a sense of optimism that the worst is over and, worse come to worse, we shall live with the virus. The planned vaccine roll-out, for which dry runs have started, will further boost this sense of optimism.
The shadow of fear is lingering, though. Many cities have clamped night curfew on New Year’s Eve to apply brakes on the revelries that normally touched the climax at midnight. Restrictions did dampen the spirit of the festivities; and so was the scenario for Christmas too worldwide. It’s not time yet to take risks or feel free. Social distancing norms and restrictions on travel by air and rail too are still in place. This year too will, in part at least, be a difficult year as several restrictions including on education continue.
A silver-lining amid the gloom that gathered over the horizon since March last was that essential activities of our public life have resumed after a near-total halt for a few months, plagued as they were by the shutdown of the nation and the iterations of lockdowns. Industrial and agricultural activities have regained pace. Elections in Bihar saw mass participation and yet the pandemic situation remained under control. Parliament did an urgent sitting, as also the state assemblies.
Social life remains worse-hit as both restrictions and the fear factor keep people largely indoors; its effects on the economy rated heavy. Restaurants and the hospitality industry, as also the aviation industry were the worst hit in terms of sectors while the plight of the huge migrant population earned the sympathy of one and all. Those in the health care sector strained their nerves to the full to keep hopes up for humanity across continents.
The world ended the year with a reassurance that the worst is perhaps over and a new sense of hope is in the air. As lights started beaming from Australia and spread across the globe over the time last night, passing through Asia, Africa and Europe ended up in the Americas, it was time to say ‘three cheers’ to the New Year – a limp from a year of hopelessness to a season of hope.