Dynamics of pandemic

While we have been talking so much about the economic effects of the pandemic there has been less focus on the damage the continued impact of the epidemic had on human behaviour.Though there has been little research on this crucial aspect on the society in India, the Time magazine came up with an interesting story on how undesirable behavioural changes influenced human conduct in the US. Lawyers were crowded by clients seeking legal remedies for the suffering they underwent due to unruly behaviour of their customers. Restaurants, airlines noted a significant rise in rude behaviour of their customers. The estimated amount of fines imposed on the people for such behaviour was to the tune of Rs 7 crore and 45 lakh this year. The crime rate also increased. The assumption that the easing of Corona related restrictions will reduce the impact the pandemic had on human behaviour and lead to greater camaraderie and cordiality in social intercourse proved wrong. Psychologists suggest that the long duration of confinement due to lockdown down led to poor social interaction and impaired interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills are developed through and polished by continuous interaction that make humans cultured and humane. Sociologists attribute this to the process of socialisation that help humans acquire social skills. These are learnt attributes that are picked up with constant social stimulation. Since these are learnt they can be unlearnt, too due to disuse. The many restrictions, some necessary and some meaningless, added to the already growing frustration of the people who developed edginess, irritability and impatience. But this story of Time magazine cannot be a solely American phenomenon. It is a human phenomenon. The same behavioural changes were seen in other countries, too. The phenomenon was observed by the social scientists in Australia which was explained as an impact of sudden disruption of lifestyle that gave little time to adjust and adapt to new demands of social living, we now fashionably call the new normal. This can also be true of India. Those engaged in customer service may bear testimony to this kind of change in behaviour. Even though these behavioural changes will not be permanent, yet, they will take considerable time to be restored as the unlearning and relearning process is slow. Most painful has been the case of toddlers who completely missed the opportunity to get the all important social stimulation of the peer group at a very critical formative period of their lives and this may have a significant impact. Though the pandemic has been the most important factor in bringing about these behavioural changes, yet, according to many psychological researchers, the over assertive governance and huge online dependent lifestyle also played a vital role. From national to the organisational, the leadership at all levels did not empathise with the people reeling under the impact of pandemic. A more humane and reassuring approach was needed.As far as the Indian scenario is concerned we have rather neglected the issue of mental health. According to World Health Organisation, some eight percent of our population suffer from mental health issues. We need to take a more comprehensive and systemic approach towards psychological health in the post Covid era.

Ethics for the modern times

We are into strange times. Contradictory things are moving in tandem. These are times of vulgar consumerism. These are times of brazen commercialisation. These are times of unabashed consumption. Snobbery is on the rise. But another trend is catching up. A trend that is not in tune with whatever is discernible. The trend of unreserved display of compassion and kindness. So we find that intentional acts of kindness and compassion are being institutionalised and marketed. Special days are observed to market age old values. Values that were passionately adhered to in the past are becoming a fashion. So we observe world kindness day and the like. Even as unnecessary private consumption driven by ego continues unchecked, we are finding that showcasing compassion and kindness also goes with a lot of noise, and is also ego driven. Sometimes for public consumption and sometimes for publicity. While the ancient Indian thought mentioned about ‘Gupt Daan’ or charity with humility and quietude, in the present days, there’s pomp and show. This is not to demean those acts of charity, or question the motive behind compassion. But certainly a gentle reminder that ego driven charity is not as impactful as passionate compassion. Wasteful consumption is antithetical to genuine compassion. A case in point is the kind of food wastage that goes in the elite restaurants which on close observation will seem reminiscent of the Roman kings of the yore, who ate, drank and made merry oftentimes biting more than they could chew. Food wastage in a party is something that can be bracketed as criminal because even by disciplined eating, a lot can be spared for the needy. Ironically, it is the same class that wastes food in the elite eateries that also loudly carries out those acts of compassion. Political correctness and social approval are highly sought after these days and have become key motivating forces driving human action. Without debating on whether this is good or bad, let us think of the essence of ethics which has become a subject matter of popular discourse these days. Goswami Tulsidas had very successfully pointed out that compassion is the essence of Dharma whereas Pride is the source of sin. But these days we find that even compassion is a by-product of pride. So even acts of compassion feed pride though they are mutually exclusive. Conscientious consumption and passionate compassion need to be a self-imposed code of conduct. The world still has enough for everybody’s need. But the problem is greed. Even one man’s greed can upset the apple cart. Where we do we go wrong? The answer is very simple. Just try to introspect, if whatever we want is actually needed. Next time when you go to have food in a restaurant that offers you whatever you can eat for a given price, assess you need first. How much of what can you eat? It is rather common place to see people order extra to get full value for what they have paid. Be a little reasonable and think of those who are still struggling to get a square meal a day. Perhaps you will save a lot of food wastage. Numbers of poverty reduction make difference to governments, not the governed. Despite all those data about GDP growth and rising economy poverty is still a problem the world needs to contend with.