Learn and Live

Learning is an evergreen process. The most important of them being, peer-to-peer learning. Although a lot of emphasis in given on this during MBA classes, it is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. It goes beyond that. In today’s highly integrated and connected world, learning has become a seamless process across nations.

India has been badly affected by Covid-19 and very recently the east and west coasts witnessed their worst cyclone in decades. Therefore, it is imperative that India should learn from its states and other countries who seem to have mastered the art of navigating through such difficult times.

Surprisingly, these countries and states are not the richest and powerful ones (read the United States or Maharashtra). These are countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Mauritius, Cuba, and states like Goa, Mizoram, Arunachal, Sikkim.

Short stories

Vietnam — The most affected city of Hanoi had 114 confirmed cases as of May. One can imagine, the numbers for the least affected. No one expected Vietnam, would be successful in containing this deadly virus, but its sustained and disciplined effort made it possible.

Bangladesh and Mauritius –They are at a high risk of a cyclone, given their location. However, strong the storm may be, proper planning and preparation have empowered to face nature’s fury.

Cuba- One of the most vulnerable islands of the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Maria with a top wind speed of 280 km/hr struck the region of the Caribbean island in 2017. Dominica, St Croix, and Puerto Rico were devasted. The total damages were estimated to be around 91.61 billion dollars claiming 3059 lives. Weeks before Cuba was struck with a similar storm names Irma which claimed only 10 were Cubans.

Inside India

Our home states have done remarkably in containing the virus. Rajasthan’s Bhilwara model is being appreciated all over the world. The northeastern states have shown also proved their metal. Goa, with one of the highest foreign tourist influxes, has been successful in managing this pandemic.

What’s common in their stories

It’s not a miracle that these countries and states have been able to efficiently manage the tragedies of nature. Hard work coupled with effective planning has enabled them to do so.

However these two have been the most important :

1. Proactiveness & Foresightedness- Though unexpected, these regions have developed foresightedness. Not scientifically, but emotionally. The people and government have accepted, that these catastrophes can and will happen. Hence, being proactive about there panning and actions have rewarded them.
2. Community — All these regions are smaller as compared to their powerful peers. This is a boon in a bane for them. Their close-knit community has developed a sense of belongingness and have developed collective consciousness.

The most important take way of these stories is that one doesn’t have to be big and powerful to handle a crisis. A growth mindset is required. This mindset provides the energy to strive through any difficulty irrespective of the economic and social strata. Accordingly, learning should be an integral part of our lives and we should try and learn from the smallest of things possible.