10 Life Lessons: How India fought COVID

A year after the pandemic, most of the developed world has 10 times higher deaths per million, than India. Analysts credit this to some mysterious, mythological, genetic immunity. As a 3rd world country, Indians are hard wired to look towards the West for thought leadership. With COVID, perhaps the world can learn a thing or two, from India.

Lesson # 1 : In a crisis, stop and take a breath

We had a super early and strict lockdown with travel bans and institutional closures. 1.4 billion people were divided into 3 zones—red, orange and green. Each zone managed its containment locally. Overall, we were surprised with the efficiency of our own administration, also their quirks.By June 2020, restaurants, cafes and transport re-opened in some zones. By the festive season in October, 2020, life was kind of getting back to normal.The sudden closure wasn’t easy for anyone. No conversation is complete without mentioning the migrant crisis where millions suffered. That was unfortunate, and perhaps avoidable too.The lockdown gave doctors time to think. That was the only purpose it served.

Pause, take a breath and think.