2021 — Our duty

2020 was hard.

What kept us going was science, our perseverance and above all human compassion. Countless people across the world braved the risks of infection and gambled with their lives for the benefit of all. Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much been owed by so many to so few.” Today, people who are working from home, people who are alive in care homes, people who have recovered after being admitted to hospital and countless other do really owe to few who have braved for us.

Our Social Contract:

As we look around, we see economic disaster at every corner. Every other business has taken a hit. People who have had continuous — if reduced — income have an obligation towards people who have lost income. You may wonder why. They closed their businesses, foregone their income and livelihood because the rest of the society are safe. They put their economic self-interest behind the overall societal interest. They have, and are incurring losses so that all of us are safe and some of us can work from the comfort of our homes.

It is not enough to say ‘thank you’ or feel ‘grateful.’ Our feelings do not help people.

What is required is that we help our communities financially. If you see a business or two open, buy from them, even if you don’t need it. Let us be charitable, without anyone asking. If you see a small business struggling to pay a rent, pool in money and help them. Afterall, they closed their businesses so that infection didn’t spread and rest of the society is safe. It is our obligation to financially support them now.

This is not a favour. This is not a charity. This is not a tax. This is our social obligation towards others.

This can be argued on the basis of an economic theory that shows it is beneficial to spend now. However, let us rise above the frivolousness of economic theories and be empathetic towards economically less fortunate, who had helped many to continue the life as normally as possible.

We don’t know what 2021 holds for us. But we can be certain that we will be compassionate, many will be selfless ununiformed heroes and many others will put their economic self-interests behind the overall good.

Wishing everyone a happy New Year!