There is light at the end of the tunnel

By RK Sinha

Any prediction about Corona may go wrong because it is a new and unknown virus. No body can be sure about the month or year when there will be curtain on the  Corona pandemic. Already, millions have
lost jobs. Every day some company or the other lays off workers. Only jobs in government departments have remained unaffected so far. And retrenchments are not based on positions. Even those who are holding top posts have been shown the doors.

This is certainly an unfortunate situation .Corona has really changed the entire order.The routine has changed.The way of life has changed.One has to wear mask most of the time and sanitise.It is not only true in case of India but the entire world.Sometime I wonder what was the sin committed that we have got this kind of punishment. Every person in the world is facing trouble.Everybody is worried.There is none who is not facing hardship. We will have to learn to live with it till a vaccine is produced.There is no other option.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel.The crisis may end favourably.In normal conditions,a person does not have to worry much and may live a comfortable life without working very hard.But when the situation is different,he has to work hard and also look for alternative sources of income.Those who have lost jobs due to Corona need not panic because that will not help.Nothing will be gained from worrying over it.One has think of an alternative source of income.Launching a  small business may help.The time has come when a job alone cannot meet all your needs.The family size is growing and therefore one has to think of additional sources of income also for this reason.It is a hard time.Going will not be easy.Keep this in mind.

They have to change themselves now.Look around yourself.Look at your friends and relatives. You will find that most people are not doing private or government jobs.Or,some of even those are doing that  have found additional sources of income.Limited jobs are available in private and public sectors.This is what is apparent in the light of number Income tax returns filed.In the year  2018-19,for instance, 5.42 crore people had filed them in the country. According to one estimate, 70 percent of them were employees.The country has 130 crore people which means only a small percentage do some job or the other.Many of them may not find another jobs after losing.They will  have to think about doing some other work–and soon.The virus may last long and so there will be less number of  jobs available in the market in the next few years.

Therefore,You have find out what you are capable of doing and  when you find an opportunity in that sector grab it.During the corona period, masks, sanitizers and protection gears are highly in demand.They are being used to keep the virus away.You can produce them.Already,many enterprising persons have started marketing them.The demand is rising because of increase in number of cases and the number is unlikely to be brought down soon.That means there is still opportunity and one can earn by manufacturing masks which can be produced cheaply.The aim is not to demoralise those who cannot or do not want to enter into this business.There are other sectors where one can find opportunity.In addition they have also to keep in mind that the government is worried about them and may find some other avenues.It has laid emphasis on employment and earmarked substantial amount for that.

It was the need of the hour.Special attention was needed to be given to schemes creating jobs in the country and it was done.The current year budget proposals are proofs.The government has proposed to offer  millions of jobs in  fields like education, infrastructure, health and tourism.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured that the maximum jobs will be available  in education and nursing sectors.The health sector also employs millions of people.But Corona will come in the way and the government targets may be missed.The government will first try to deal with the disease and look to other demands only after that.That is not a good news for the unemployed.

The government had put a lot of emphasis on developing tourism sector.A number of measures were taken to attract domestic and foreign tourists.It had set an ambitious target but that may not be achieved because of Corona.The government had worked very hard and done everything possible but the disease has poured cold water on all of them.Many people are bored and want to move out .They want to travel to other parts of the country and even go abroad.Corona has affected their plans too.Many of them may come back untouched but the fear has gripped them so much that they would not like to venture out.

In the last budget,Rs 25,00 crore was earmarked to give a fillip to tourism sector. The number of tourists coming to India has been increasing over the years.Employment numbers in this sector has also gone up.But like trade and industry this sector is also suffering because of Corona.Crops lying in the field were damaged by untimely rain and movement restriction.Due to supply disruptions and some other factors money generation was low.Many industries faced financial crunch.Working capital was not available to some others.What is worse,the markets have opened in many areas but there are not many customer in those markets.The revival of the economy will take time.

The situation will come back to normal but not soon.Those who have lost their jobs may not find them again soon and that is why I have suggested that they should launch their own businesses.The mind-set has to change.The going will not be easy any more.One has to brace up for hard life.Any business is a good business.

Under the PM Mudra Yojana,as many as19 crore young persons have been given loans. The government aims to provide loans to 30 crore people.This Mudra loan scheme can change the fortunes of many in  the country.Once a person who has taken a loan starts a business  and earns good money he will not to look for a job.In fact,he may expand and diversify and provide jobs to  others.That will change the scenario and give a befitting reply to prophets of doom.

(The writer is a senior editor, columnist and former MP)