As one of the most tumultuous years in recent times ends, it will be remembered for being the most constrictive and transformative. We have sailed through lockdowns and quarantines, and have moved from loss to recovery. There were many leaps made by technology--and from digital adoption by firms to AI wonders that can prevent diseases early, we stood impressed. The biggest breakthrough was the creation of the Covid vaccine—created in a record time of less than a year for the first time in history. Even the research phase of a vaccine is usually two-five years, and takes more than ten years to develop (https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/vaccine-development-barriers-coronavirus/).

We look forward to a great turnaround now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to make a new year resolution to substitute foreign-made products with Indian goods. The message of resilience and Atmanirbhar Bharat was reiterated by the Prime Minister, in his year’s last radio address to the nation, Mann Ki Baat. “The call of “vocal for local” is reverberating in each and every household...In such a scenario, it is time to ensure that our products meet global standards,” he said, sharing feedback from people about the “vocal for local” campaign (https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mann-ki-baat-pm-modi-urges-manufacturers-to-ensure-world-class-products-are-made-in-country-2344172).

We wish you the best for the New Year, and hope to script great stories of success, and empathy, one lesson learnt from 2020.

Sumi Gupta, Director, Tatsat Foundation