There is hope for the world of tiding over the Covid-19 crisis. The hope lies in each one of us adopting the Joy of Giving as our philosophy in life, and soon Covid-19 will become an impotent virus, buried in the ashes of oblivion, says OSWALD PEREIRA
It’s six months into the Covid-19 crisis and we have managed to survive, despite India now recording the second highest number of cases in the world after the US. We are a tough, resilient nation, which never bends in times of crisis, because our people have been blessed by God’s abundant grace and compassion.
If you go out into the city streets, it’s the normal hustle and bustle, except for the protective masks that everyone wears. Masks should have become a leveller of class distinctions, but even they have become a status symbol, with the more privileged wearing fancy made-to-order ones to reflect their so-called class.
The economy is at its lowest and people have lost their jobs, while those who have retained them are working at big salary cuts, ranging from 30 per cent to even 75 per cent imposed by employers, who have been not-so-benign, to say the least. The Human Resources Department (HRD) and the Heads of Departments (HoDs) have risen to the occasion, axes in hands, on behalf of the companies. Favourites and sycophants have been spared the guillotine and the independent but efficient ones have been axed.
It’s undoubtedly true that revenues are down and profits have been hit, but the drastic measures taken by India’s entrepreneurial class shows that they are guided by only one motive ― the profit motive. An entrepreneur is supposed to take risks and bear the brunt in downturns, for doesn’t he retain most of the profits? He is regarded as an innovator, a source of new ideas. The fact that entrepreneurs in various businesses have crumbled poses the question whether they fit that glorious description.
The most dramatic collapse is that of big media houses in the business for more than a hundred years, which have crumbled like a pack of cards within less than two months after the corona pandemic. The malaise of these empires lies in their genes. They have always thrived on patronage of the powers-that-be and hence their capacity of risk-taking or entrepreneurship is in grave doubt.
Let’s face it. The mindset of the business class is less of entrepreneurship and more of exploitative feudalism. Employees who have retained their jobs and are working online complain that their working hours have been extended. They are working harder, putting in upwards of 10 hours of work, with salary cuts. The common message conveyed by HRDs and HoDs is that they should be thankful to be working in Covid times. Isn’t this attitude unfair?
Each one of us ― the entrepreneur and the working class ― has a role to play or work to do in the world and it’s our dharma to do this well. As the Bhagavad Gita says, “By performing one’s natural occupation, one worships the Creator from whom all living entities have come into being, and by whom the whole universe is pervaded. By such performance of work, a person easily attains perfection” – BG 18.46.
The Bible speaks about us doing the tasks assigned to us in life by God. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” – Ephesians 2:10. And, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” – Jeremiah 29:11-14.
God has promised us a future with hope. But we can’t take this promise for granted and we all need to work together for a bright present and future. In these Covid times, the most pressing task is running our households. This can be done very joyfully ― simply by applying the principle of the Joy of Giving.
The working class is willing to give its labour, joyfully, and earn their livelihood by the sweat of their brow. The business class, too, must be willing to give ― and more importantly ― to give up their need for only profit, and think of welfare. Business houses, especially the bigger ones have a lot of money, sufficient for generations of their kin to live on, even if their enterprises close down. They have received generous gifts by way of concessions and incentives to grow their business. It’s time for them to give some of it back to the people.
Yes, there is hope for the world of tiding over the Covid-19 crisis. The hope lies in each one of us adopting the Joy of Giving as our philosophy in life. The more we give the more we will receive. Try giving: the joy it will bring to you as a giver and the joy of receiving by the other person will boost immunity so much that soon Covid-19 will become an impotent virus, buried in the ashes of oblivion.
Oswald Pereira, a senior journalist, has also written eight books, including The Newsroom Mafia, Chaddi Buddies, The Krishna-Christ Connexion, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life and Crime Patrol: The Most Thrilling Stories. Oswald is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and practises Kriya Yoga.
More Stories by Oswald Pereira
Indeed, the instinctive wisdom that we can learn from Nature, every time whether it is odd or even, is the act of giving and sharing and its sweet dividend is sheer Joy of living.
Gandhi Ji has perfectly reminded that. “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” And in a time of universal calamity like this Covid pandemic the need of imbibing this wisdom becomes succinctly fit.
Hopefully, the entire humanity rises to this unprecedented moment and purges itself of the acquisitive mindset that we have hitherto developed, share a little, care a little and see how we overcome the lethal effects of the pandemic in every front of subjective and collective life be it socio-political or economic.
After all it is an existential question and we have an obligation as well as accountability to address it!
A perfect call Oswald Pereira Ji !
Thank you, Baturamji.
There is no better antidote than joyful giving.
Yes, aptly said. Just practice Giving, see what joy it brings to u.
True Anuja, there is great joy in giving.
Covid-19 has put us in a situation which we thought we would never face because of advancement in technology . We never ever visualised such a pandemic which would lead to a complete lock down of the world wide activities.
Noe we have realised how interdependent we are and how we have to work as a community forgetting our differences. Nobody would like to go on a war at this time even if they make tall claims. Yes trade and commerce face new challenges . They have to devise new ways to attract finances . The entrepreneur have to shift their business ventures to providing basic facilities in hard times . People would like to spend wisely and would look for basic amenities rather then falling a prey to a fall sense which uses their sense of vanity.
The basic requirements have to be free of cost if this civilisation has to exist in future. In such a state it would be difficult to raise revenue
Politics and bureaucracy now face a completely new problem and they are waiting for normalcy . They haven’t seem to be waking up to the present situation. They are hoping to restore their old methods not realising that the situation needs immediate attention.
We have suddenly woken up to a new sense of existence. Life has shown has a new angle to brood upon.. People have been shoved of from their materialistic self centered beliefs to broader perspectives .
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Yes Seema, the Covid-19 crisis has made us realize that materialism is so fragile a comfort.
Very interesting! This is very apt for the present time.
Thank you, bro.
Hope to feature entrepreneurs who have been strong and giving and continue to share their goodness.
Thank you for writing this article. To throw one more scripture in the mix… 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
I do wish business owners who have amassed a fortune would find it in their hearts to share the wealth around. After all we come to this earth with nothing and can take nothing with us!
Melanie, if business owners share even a small fraction of their wealth, the world will be a better place to live in. Importantly, business owners should share their knowledge to help others start their own business.
Thank you for sharing the wisdom of the Bible on giving.
Covid has brought out the best or the worst in human nature! We are diverse and it takes all sorts to make this world.
My oldest brother told me this story that stuck with me, sharing it here –
A man dies and was given a tour of Hell and Heaven to choose His final destination, as he lead a good life.
He reaches Hell and it’s dinner time. One large table with the most delicious food. But everyone was cursing and swearing and food flying all over the place. Taking a closer look he saw that all those around the table had hands that didn’t bend at the elbow! So they picked up something to eat and just could not eat. So it was a Big mess.
He decided to see what Heaven was. Same scene with a large table filled with delicious food, people around with hands that didn’t bend at the elbow. But they were all
happy and eating and singing and laughing!
Did you guess how?
They fed each other.
That’s the joy of giving. So those who give will always receive as for those who only try to feed themselves! Hell is waiting for you!
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Thank you for sharing the story, Marlene. True Covid-19 has brought out the best and worst in us.