"Best" Buses (Not so Sure) but Certainly Worst Drivers

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, one glaring issue stands out like a sore thumb: the recklessness and rudeness of the drivers of Mumbai's "Best" Buses. These ubiquitous red monsters are increasingly becoming synonymous with danger on wheels, posing substantial risks to other commuters, especially pedestrians and cyclists. 

Survive if You Can

The "Best" Buses, owned and operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, are meant to provide affordable and efficient public transportation. However, the reality on the streets of Mumbai tells a very different story. The drivers of these buses seem to have adopted a "survival of the fittest" mentality that makes the daily commute for many Mumbai residents an ordeal. 

Traffic Rule Violators

One of the most alarming aspects of the "Best" Buses' operation is the blatant disregard for traffic rules. It's not uncommon to see these hulking vehicles weaving in and out of lanes with scant regard for signals, pedestrian crossings, or even the safety of passengers on board. The honking symphony that these drivers, seem to conduct with enthusiasm, is deafening and disturbing. Instead of signalling their intentions with patience and care, they unleash a cacophony of noise that contributes to the already unbearable sound pollution in the city. 

Pedestrians Pay the Price

Pedestrians in Mumbai often play a high-stakes game of Frogger when attempting to cross the road. "Best" Buses seem to view zebra crossings as optional and continue to barrel through them as if they were nothing more than painted decorations on the asphalt. Jaywalking becomes a necessity for survival, as waiting for a "Best" Bus to halt for you is a risk that you would be wise not to take. 

Cyclists Bear the Brunt

Cyclists, often considered the most vulnerable commuters on Mumbai's chaotic streets, bear the brunt of this recklessness. The drivers of "Best" Buses rarely acknowledge their presence, and the close calls between buses and cyclists are far too frequent. These cyclists navigate an obstacle course where a single mistake can result in tragedy. But it's not just the traffic violations that are concerning; it's the attitude of the bus drivers towards other road users.

Rude Drivers and Support Staff 

The rudeness displayed by many "Best" Bus drivers is appalling. Encountering an arrogant bus driver who believes they own the road is an unfortunate rite of passage for many Mumbaikars. Verbal abuse, rude gestures, and a complete lack of empathy are all too common. 

Questions to be Answered

Now, the answer to this critical question, "From where do these uncouth drivers acquire such monstrous egos (akin to the size of the buses they drive)" is simple - they have secured government jobs. They know they would get away even with crippling or killing someone. Yes, at the max, they would be suspended for a brief period. That is like "paid holidays". On top of that, these punks are overpaid, and that goes to their head. They get salaries at par with managers of MNCs, plus government-provided flats in Mumbai (where the rent is nearly 1/3rd of the ongoing market rate). 

Their counterparts, private drivers, don't even earn half of their income and still have to secure their accommodation. Most of them can't even afford to bring their families from the native. 

The Bottomline

In conclusion, authorities should chip the wings of these criminal attitude-carrying bus drivers. They should be severely and publicly punished for their offences. No support should be provided by the authorities. If they harm anyone due to their misadventures, the compensation should be taken from their salaries and pension. Also, akin to other sectors, either the bus services should be privatized or drivers should be hired on a contract basis. All existing secure job-holding drivers with complaints and accidents should be terminated with immediate effect. Let that be a lesson for other drivers to mend their ways.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Image source @ Pixy.org

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of depth psychology known also as insight-oriented therapy. It zeroes on unconscious processes that are manifested in a person’s persona and behavior. The main motive of this therapy is to obtain the unconscious content from the psyche of a client to alleviate psychic tensions. More than other forms of depth psychology it depends on the interpersonal relationship between therapists and clients. In short, this approach enables the client to understand unresolved symptoms and conflicts that arise from past dysfunctional relationships and how these may manifest in the form of need and desire to abuse substances. This form of therapy lets the therapist work with ease on clients with weekly or bi-weekly sessions.

Entrepreneurs At The Bottom Of The Pyramid And Microfinance

Source: Flickr

The word “entrepreneurship” is generally associated with entrepreneurs; people who organize and manage enterprises, usually with considerable initiatives and risks.

The societal pyramid classifies people as per their financial status. Its bottom comprises the poorest people, while the middle class (in sync, with its name) is placed in the middle, and the privileged are on the top. It is comparatively easy for people in the upper portion of the pyramid, who already are affluent, to take the entrepreneurial plunge. Moreover, they also have financial institutions and useful contacts, which makes the path much easier to walk. The sole point in favor of the poor is that akin to an actual pyramid, the social pyramid also has most of its mass (population) at the bottom. For entrepreneurs, belong to the bottom class, it is easier for them to relate and connect with people, the engine of any business. As entrepreneurs originating from the same background, they are usually better molded to deal with their workers and in some cases, even consumers.

Entrepreneurship: Reasons

The reasons for entrepreneurship for different classes vary in sync with their circumstances. For the rich, it’s a way to strike out from their peers and background; a way to express their ideas, talents, and creativity. Furthermore, some of them even venture into entrepreneurship for the kick only. 

The middle class normally looks for white color jobs, but some misfits do try to break the shackles. They get out of their monotonous lives and take the plunge. 

The poor are left with limited choices. They have no option but to live the destitute lives of their previous generations. Starting from their childhood, they have to dwell in poverty for their entire lives. Aching from that lingering and inescapable pain, a lot of them wish to write a different script for their children. Mostly without resources or coveted qualifications, living in the perennial fear of starvation, entrepreneurship is not only the only way for them to survive but sometimes even a compulsion.

A Familiar Story

It is a familiar story for most entrepreneurs, belonging to the poor class. They start early, sometimes even before they have reached their teens, to earn their bread by working for someone else. They gradually pick up the tricks of the trade. They also consciously or unconsciously hone their interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills help them to create a much-needed contact network. Thus, armed with the requisite skills, they take the Herculean task of changing their lives.

The Only Way

Entrepreneurship is the only way for these aspiring poor. While growing up, most of their parents couldn’t afford a good education. As a result, they mostly turn into semi-skilled laborers. The most harmful part is that many among them get automatically molded to the miserable lifestyle of their previous generations. Only a few of them are smart enough to understand that the small wages they earn would not suffice (both for their children and themselves). Only a handful of imaginative yet practical minds among them realize that in order to survive the ordeal they have to think out of the box.

 

Clutches of Loan Sharks

The way to secure a loan for entrepreneurs, belonging to the bottom class, used to be tricky. Previously, they mainly use to knock on the door of local moneylenders. These moneylenders, actually loan sharks in disguise, were their only hope to raise a starting capital. These loan sharks used to charge unbelievably high-interest rates, carving away the profit margin of these poor entrepreneurs. Moreover, these lenders sometimes used to arm-twist poor entrepreneurs into terms tilted in favor of the formers. Also, there was the ever-present issue of deliberate account manipulation to further cheat the compelled entrepreneurs.

Microfinance: A New Lifeline

These aspiring poor now have a new lifeline in the form of microfinance. According to a recently published report, in India, there are around 5.8 crore unique users aided by micro-financial institutions. Moreover, the micro-finance loan portfolio has swelled to Rs 2,59,377 crores as of March-end, this year.

Challenges with Microfinance

Bad debts

One of the major challenges with microfinance is bad debts. The primary reason for bad debts is that poor people can afford few (or none) assets in the form of collateral securities. Microfinance institutions tend to focus on increasing the customer base. This automatically creates the payment recovery problem. To curb bad debts, the institutions should intensify their attention to analyze their potential clients and their repayment capacity.

Defaulter problem

The defaulter problem starts with poor identification and risk analysis on the part of microfinance organizations. Another major factor is the entrepreneur’s (here the aspiring poor's) entrepreneurial capabilities. If their entrepreneurial skill-set is not up to the mark then the chances are that it will cast trouble for both them and the lender(s). Due to their poor upbringing and the discouraging environment, they more often suffer from a lack of self-esteem, belief, and confidence. They also lack the education and experience to succeed in their endeavors.

High-interest rates

The major hurdle in the way of entrepreneurs working by borrowing capital from microfinance institutions is the high-interest rates. These interest rates range from 30% to 100% per annum. The institutions urge that the high-interest rates are on the grounds of transaction costs and sustenance.

Management problem

The basic management problem with microfinance is the expense of managing consumer accounts, which usually generates negligible revenue. The process becomes unsustainable if the revenue generated per account is lesser than the cost incurred by the organization.

Marketing problem

The marketing problem with microfinance is that it is based on myths and fantasies. It doesn’t show the actual picture that; in reality, it is only marginally improving the lives of aspiring poor (the entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid). People donating to these organizations automatically assume that their aid would metamorphose the lives of the poor, whereas reality paints a different and picture.

Scalability problem

Most microfinance institutions support people who are already involved in an enterprise. The rest of the aspiring entrepreneurs face the challenge of generating ideas, which are buyable by these institutions. 

Due to the lack of education and budget, the ventures started by such entrepreneurs generally consist of no or low technologies. They certainly can’t compete with industries equipped with cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure. As a result, they have considerably low scalability. To counter this problem, both government and NGO institutes have started providing them with the necessary training and courses.

Microfinance is a boon to entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid. However, generally, industrious but poor people realize, in a hard way, that it’s tricky and incredibly difficult, to escape from the bottom layer. They still have to pay substantially high-interest rates (to microfinance institutions) in comparison to other classes, who are qualified for conventional banking institutions. The poor also have few social contacts and support systems to assist them. They almost have no collateral security to bank upon. Also, it’s a fact that most of these entrepreneurs (aspiring poor) are not entrepreneurs by choice. They will gladly accept employment if they can make a good living. Entrepreneurship at the bottom of the pyramid is more often than not a compulsion for these persisting pioneers.

30+ Yuri Gagarin Quotes

 Yuri Gagarin, the Russian cosmonaut and the first man to cross the realm of the earth is considered a hero for the entire mankind. He entered orbit on April 12, 1961; thus, making history. Let’s check out some of his renowned quotes.

1. Mankind never gains anything without cost. There never has been a bloodless victory over nature. From a newspaper interview, a few weeks after the funeral of cosmonaut Komarov. As quoted in Space World, (1974) (10).

About Himself

2. I could have gone on flying through space forever. As quoted in The New York Times (14 Apr 1958). From Dave English’s book – Slipping The Surly Bonds: Great Quotations on Flight.

3. To be the first to enter the cosmos, to engage, single-handed, in an unprecedented duel with nature-could one dream of anything more? From remarks made prior to launch (12 Apr 1961), as quoted in Ulrike Landfester, Nina-Louisa Remuss, Kai-Uwe Schrogl and Jean-Claude Worms (eds.), Humans in Outer Space - Interdisciplinary Perspectives (2010), 225.

4. If all those people are getting wet to welcome me, surely the least I can do is get wet too! Asking for the roof of his car to be put back despite the pouring rain, during his visit to Manchester (12 July 1961), as quoted in "Yuri Gagarin: Mankind's first giant leap" in The Economist (3 August 2011)

5. I am watching the Earth. The visibility is good. I feel well and cheerful. The machine is functioning normally. Gagarin radioed messages on April 12, 1961.

6. When they saw me in my space suit and the parachute dragging alongside as I walked, they started to back away in fear. I told them, don't be afraid, I am a Soviet like you, who has descended from space and I must find a telephone to call Moscow!  – on 12 April 1961, near the village of Smelovka.

                                    About Earth

7. Circling the earth in the orbital spaceship I marvelled at the beauty of our planet. People of the world!! Let us safeguard and enhance this beauty-not destroy it. – Gagarin upon his return to Earth as the first person in space.

8. The Earth is blue... how wonderful. It is amazing. – Gagarin during his first space flight.

9. I saw for the first time the earth's shape. I could easily see the shores of continents, islands, great rivers, folds of the terrain, large bodies of water. The horizon is dark blue, smoothly turning to black. . . the feelings which filled me I can express with one word-joy.

10. I could clearly discern the outlines of continents, islands and rivers. The horizon presents a sight of unusual beauty. A delicate blue halo surrounds the Earth, merging with the blackness of space in which the stars are bright and clear cut. Gagarin reported after his single orbit of the Earth on April 12, 1961.

11. I see Earth! It is so beautiful.

12. When I orbited the Earth in a spaceship, I saw for the first time how beautiful our planet is. Mankind, let us preserve and increase this beauty, and not destroy it!

13. Looking at the earth from afar you realize it is too small for conflict and just big enough for co-operation.

14. What beauty. I saw clouds and their light shadows on the distant dear earth…. The water looked like darkish, slightly gleaming spots…. When I watched the horizon, I saw the abrupt, contrasting transition from the earth’s light-colored surface to the absolutely black sky. I enjoyed the rich color spectrum of the earth. It is surrounded by a light blue aureole that gradually darkens, becoming turquiose, dark blue, violet, and finally coal black. Describing his view while making the first manned orbit of the earth (12 Apr 1961). As quoted in Don Knefel, Writing and Life: A Rhetoric for Nonfiction with Readings (1986), 93. Front Cover.

15. Rays were blazing through the atmosphere of the earth, the horizon became bright orange, gradually passing into all the colors of the rainbow: from light blue to dark blue, to violet and then to black. What an indescribable gamut of colors! Just like the paintings of the artist Nicholas Roerich.

                                    About Space Flights

16. Nothing will stop us. The road to the stars is steep and dangerous. But we're not afraid . . . Space flights can't be stopped. This isn't the work of one man or even a group of men. It is a historical process which mankind is carrying out in accordance with the natural laws of human development.

17. Spaceflights can’t be stopped. This isn't the work of any one man or even a group of men. It is a historical process which mankind is carrying out in accordance with the natural laws of human development. As quoted in Space World (1974), 10

18. I am happy to report to you that the assignment of the Central Committee of the Communist party of the Soviet Union and the Soviet Government has been carried out. The world's first space flight has been accomplished in the Soviet space ship Vostok. All systems and equipment worked impeccably, I feel very well and am prepared to carry out any assignment of the party and the government. Speech beside Khrushchev, at the tomb of Lenin and Stalin, Red Square, Moscow (14 Apr 1961).

About God

19. I don't see any god up here first man in space, while in space.

20. I looked and looked but I didn't see God.

21. I see no god up here.

22. The earth was blue but there was no god.

23. I don't see any god up here.

About Cosmonauts

24. The path of a cosmonaut is not an easy, triumphant march to glory. You have to get to know the meaning not just of joy but also of grief, before being allowed in the spacecraft cabin. In First Man in Space: The Life and Achievement of Yuri Gagarin: a Collection (1984), 104. Cited as written as a foreword of a book at the request of the author.

25. It’s not for glory that Soviet cosmonauts are in this assault on the cosmos; they are motivated by a limitless love for and devotion to their country, the Party and the people, and by a desire to help Soviet scientists to discover the secrets of the universe. In First Man in Space: The Life and Achievement of Yuri Gagarin: a Collection (1984), 104. Cited as written as a foreword of a book at the request of the author.

From His Biography

26. When you are in the air never doubt your equipment and don’t make hasty decisions. 

27. I became part of the machine as a horseman probably feels one with his horse when he is riding at a stretch gallop. All the parts of the machine became transmitters of my will; the machine was obedient to my wishes and did whatever I wanted it to. 

28. I became infected with a new disease, a disease the medicine has not yet found a name for—the irresistible urge to reach outer space. It was a vague, not fully recognized feeling, but it remained with me, bothered me and gave me no rest.

29. We began, of course, with the theory of flight, the structure of an aircraft and its engine. For some time, we were even a bit disappointed by these boring lectures. We had thought we would go straight to the aerodrome and start flying.

30. I am rather lacking in inches, I look a bit frail and cannot boast outstanding biceps. Some of the lads who were at the commission with me were not only tall, broad-shouldered and the very picture of health, they were simply bursting with vitality.

31. The pressure was terrific! The eyes would not close, breathing was difficult, the muscles of the face were all twisted, the number of heartbeats increased, blood pressure also increased and the blood became as heavy as mercury.

32. Sometimes you had to spend days on end in an isolated space of limited volume where you were completely cut off from the world. Not a sound, not a rustle. No movement of the air. Nothing, no one to speak to. From time to time, according to a certain schedule, you must send a radio message. This communication is one-sided. You send a message and do not know whether it has been received. You get no answer from anybody. And whatever happens nobody will come to your rescue. You are alone, absolutely alone and only yourself to rely on.

33. I felt wonderful when the gravity pull began to disappear. I suddenly found I could do things much more easily than before. And it seemed as though my hands and legs and my whole body did not belong to me. They did not weigh anything. You neither sit nor lie, but just keep floating in the cabin. All the loose objects likewise float in the air and you watch them as in a dream.

34. I saw a woman and a girl. They were standing beside a spotted calf and gazing at me with curiosity. I started walking towards them and they began to walk towards me. But the nearer they got to me the slower their steps became. I was still wearing my flaming orange spacesuit and they were probably frightened by it. They had never seen anything like it before.

How to Find Facebook Likes

Irrespective of the fact that whether you wish to become a celebrity on social media almost everyone likes popularity. A bit of validity, at least, among your friends and peers would keep the competitor in you alive. Of course, you also need to check on their Facebook likes. Also with the aid of Facebook likes, you may gauge the popularity of a brand, whether it is a restaurant, club, hotel, or casino. Hence, you know what to expect beforehand when you decide to grace such a place. The same logic applies when you are planning to purchase branded clothes, equipment, or gadgets.

Usual Steps-

1. Log on to your Facebook profile either on your desktop or mobile.
2. There would be a blue bar (search field) at the top of your screen click or top on that.
3. Type to search the page name that you wish to check out. It would yield you a list of all probable matching results.
4. Scroll to the page of your choice from the list and open it. You would soon land on the home screen of the page.
5. You would be able to note the page likes on the home screen. If you have reached the home screen via desktop then you would be able to find the likes on the right side of your screen above the about section. In case, you are using your mobile then you would be able to note the likes along with followers in the "Community" section.

Marital Conflicts

The modern saying sums up marital conflicts in a sentence, "if you wish to fight, then get married." The saying thus implies that conflicts are inevitable in a marriage or relationship. Conflicts are not innately bad, but they should be handled properly. In case, your relationship is heading downhill, you need to act now.  

You may opt for marriage counseling if you experience one or more of the following instances-

1. Barely speaking – In case you detest each other so much that you barely communicate beyond that is absolutely critical, then the time is right to visit a counselor. The counselor could aid you to initiate a conversation again by advising new and innovative ways to communicate.
2. Always argue – If you continuously argue instead of discussing and debating, then it is a dangerous sign. The negativity fuming from arguments would take an emotional toll on both of you and would further hamper your relationship. Professional counseling would aid you to minimize your arguments by enabling you to comprehend each other's perspectives.
3. Scared to speak – When you are apprehensive to surface issues that have been bothering you with your counterpart. The issues can range from intimacy, finance, and poor habits. Marriage counseling would let you clarify these conditions and probably find a resolution, if possible.
4. Restriction in affection – Though this situation is mostly applicable to females, sometimes even men refrain from showering their affection on their partners. All affection would evaporate from your relationship. You need to be careful in these situations and opt for marriage counseling.
5. A trough in sex life – A fluctuation in the frequency of sex is a sign that not everything is well in your relationship. A bit of tapering off after a quarrel or heated argument is natural, but if it continues to linger at a low level, then these are warning signals. Akin to that, even if a partner is coaxing
6. It's not unusual for sex to taper off a little after you've been together for a while. However, significant changes in the bedroom signal something is not right. An increase in sex, by the way, is also a sign of challenges, as it can signal one partner trying to make up for something they’re doing that they feel is wrong.
7. Spousal enmity – If you consider every sign of disagreement, then it is a sure shot sign that you need help. Marriage counseling may aid you to check these kinds of troubling emotions.
8.  Extra-marital affair – Maybe all of your superficial problems stem from the desire to have an affair outside of wedlock. Honestly, it is up to you to decide whether to walk out or to give up promiscuous thoughts. So, be wise and discuss it with a counselor. The counselor perhaps would be able to guide you on the correct path.
9. Financial infidelity – Apparently financial infidelity may not seem to be as detrimental as an affair; however, in reality, finances are imperative. So, in case you are a spendthrift and take money out of your combined savings, then most probably your actions would have negative repercussions when your spouse gets a sniff about it.
10. Seeking change – When you wish your partner to change their nature and habits, you may pressurize them to the point of the brink. You have to remember that change is not natural. Such a kind of dissatisfaction may lead to divorce unless nipped in the bud immediately.

Marital conflicts affect one’s life in the following ways-

1. An onset of depressive symptoms – Martial conflicts can cause an onset of depressive symptoms. Your picture-perfect is getting torn, so it is obvious that you would be distressed.  
2. Eating disorders – Many people gravitate towards binge eating to negate the sorrow and loneliness developed from marital conflicts. Eating tends to provide a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
3. Alcoholism issues – Though it is more prevalent in males, even females get hooked on alcohol, further damaging their lives.
4. Negative reciprocity – Couples with marriage conflicts tend to reciprocate negatively to their partner's provocations and negativity.
5. Health deterioration – Marital conflict may cause health deterioration courtesy of stress and negativity.
6. Physical aggression – When the stress and negativity get out of hand, it may result in physical aggression. Though males are mostly noted for it due to the obvious difference in strength and size, females too start it often. 
7. Physical injury – Physical injury can be a manifestation of physical aggression. 
8. Homicide – In rare instances, physical aggregation may even result in homicide. Stats show that women are murdered by mostly their partners.
9. Poor parenting – The negativity fuming from marital conflict would spread all around your life, including towards your kids. 
10. Increased chances of parent-child conflict – As children suffer from the negativity arising out of marital conflict, they may develop attitude problems. They also may grow resentment towards parents, which would sooner or later result in a conflict between parents and kids.

The following are the expected benefits and outcomes of marriage counseling-

1. Improved communication – Marriage counseling would aid you to improve communication between you. As your communication improves, there would be less bitterness between them. 
2. Revitalize the relationship – Counseling may help you to revitalize your relationship and reconnect. Both of you can set your priorities right and focus on your relationship with a fresh start.

How to Improve Your People Skills

Irrespective of the way you wish to flourish in life, whether you wish to excel in business or climb up the corporate ladder, people skills is a skill set that you cannot afford to ignore. Building and maintaining any team are nearly impossible without top-notch people skills. Indeed, it would be difficult to master them at one go; however, with a little patience and persistence, you would soon notice that you are cementing your connections. 

 

Tell the tale

People are generally self-centered, and they would not like to invest their time, resources, and company if you do not have anything to offer them that interests them. Hence, gauge your audience and communicate accordingly. 

 

Grace with gratitude

Nurture a habit of expressing gratitude to people when they aid or support you. Even a mere "thank you" would further your cause. Also, ensure that you behave gracefully showering your gratitude to people who are below you in the social hierarchy.

 

Commit to compliment

Try to seek the positives in people. Look out for a specific behavior, skill, or trait and compliment them accordingly. Your compliment would solidify your relationship with your peers.

 

Treat others right

Treat people with respect not only when you are with dealing them face to face but also behind their back. You would soon notice that your reputation precedes you, and people vouch for your integrity.

 

Cordial to core

Focus on your specific characteristic strengths and anecdotes. Weave it in your persona, relationships, and behavior with others. People would automatically associate these traits with you, and your charm factor would increase manifolds.

 

Confidence to connect

Be confident without being cocky. Get out of your shell and converse with strangers. Be the first one to greet others. Ignore the shades of ignorance and arrogance in people while being conscious of not being a pushover. By being assertive and proactive, you would build a powerful persona.

How Non-Profits Can Radically Adapt to the New World Through a Collaborative Approach

The world as we perceive would change drastically once it recovers after the unprecedented crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Though it may not exactly be akin to the new world that was ameliorated after Noah’s ark saved a minute proportion of the living beings from the massive flood that destroyed the then-known civilization as described in the Bible, we can, however, be for sure of metamorphosis in human behavior. A significant transformation is bound to take place in our interactions with each other, animals, and the overall attitude towards the environment.

Vanguards

Non-profit organizations have been at the forefront of the battle with COVID-19. They have been instrumental in not only creating precautionary awareness among the masses but also providing rations to the needy and poor. Augmenting the medical care provided by government institutions with their reach and resources, plus aiding in blood and plasma donations. The responsibilities and roles of the non-profits are going to rise further when the world moves out of its quarantine status. In collaboration with other bodies, they can certainly execute their tasks and achieve their goals swiftly and comprehensively.

Collaborating With the Government

COVID-19 like other highly contagious diseases in the past would not eradicate easily, and once the world resumes its usual business, experts believe that there would be a sudden spike in its cases. In collaboration with the authorities, the non-profits can act as the bulwark to keep a check on its spread. For a start, they can make people aware of the continuing need to maintain social distancing to minimize the risks of getting infected. Furthermore, with their connections and reach, they can act as a bridge between the affluent strata and the programs induced by the government. They can thus not only help the existing philanthropic leaders to channel their efforts in a better way but also aid in cultivating a crop of wealthy donor followers whose contributions can help further streamline the challenges and be a significant factor in reviving the perilous economic condition. It can be noticed that during the trying times of the corona epidemic when private enterprises are compelled to let their employees go, the non-profits are gradually increasing their manpower, providing a ray of hope even in such a dim situation.

Combining Forces

The collaboration ideally should not limit between the authorities and non-profits. In fact, the non-profits with their web of interconnectivity can play a major part in ensuring normalization. For example, if an international organization like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works in conjunction with a local non-profit like Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA), then both can amplify each other’s effectiveness by manifolds. Complementing each other, with the former’s financial resources and the latter's local manpower, this association can act as the ideal team to support the recovery in one of Asia’s largest slums Dharavi.

The Multi-pronged Engagement

For the optimists, every crisis is an opportunity, and perhaps this is the trait that has kept the human race constantly on the path of evolution in spite of suffering many setbacks in the form of pandemics and wars. It would be a perfect time to bring on board all the resources and associations to shield the precarious civilization similar to a protective umbrella. The necessity of the hour is to sketch multistakeholder programs to aid mankind as it recovers gradually from the aftermath of the crisis unfolded courtesy of the coronavirus outbreak. All the important stakeholders including businesses, civil societies, governments, research institutions, and non-profits must join forces together in this common fight to smoothen the normalization process. Businesses irrespective of their sizes with the support of governments should create jobs to keep the population busy and productive. That would automatically contribute to a large extent in letting the engaged populace experience pre-corona life. Large businesses can also donate directly to governments and non-profits as a part of their corporate social responsibility. Plus, they can also provide aid in collaboration with the non-profits and authorities to improve the requisite infrastructure and amenities. Civil society in a joint effort with the government and non-profits can stem a social consciousness to maintain hygiene and social distancing. That would not only hinder the re-emergence of corona but also prevent the possible spate of similar contagious diseases. The onus is of course on the research institutions to come up with vaccines and unearth innovative ways to combat COVID-19 and other analogous diseases. They must be supported by all possible means by the authorities, businesses, non-profits, and civil societies to remain a step ahead to deny any probable invasion of such pathogens in the future. They should get all the necessary funds and data from businesses, authorities, and non-profits. It is also for civil societies to shoulder the responsibility along with the government and non-profits to implement the instructions passed by research institutions among the populace. For the resurgence of a new world, it is imperative that all the stakeholders mutually cooperate and act in sync as a part of the multi-sectoral engagement. It would facilitate the eradication of remnants of the corona, prevent possible future pandemics, and accelerate the process of normalization. 

COVID-19 is bound to leave its scars on the face of human civilization. Even so, it would also create the circumstances for the entire human race to come together and act as a unit to prevent possible pandemics in the future. With the partaking of multiple stakeholders and especially non-profits playing perfectly the role of both a bridge between the others and an agent on its own, the transition phase back to normalization can be both shortened and smoothened. On a positive note, the organizations and associations partaking in the war against COVID-19 would eventually come on top. They would be strengthened further and consequently so would humanity!