When we watch people losing their lives and livelihoods daily; all the hardship and turmoil that COVID-19 has brought upon us, it is hard to see things in a positive light. India has lost close to 4531 lives (as on 28th May 20) to the virus and the Indian economy is taking a hit of an estimated $4.5 billion every single day due to the pandemic.
But
thank God, human beings have the potential to see things in a positive light
even at times of trouble. Despite the health crisis and economic turmoil, there
seems to be a silver lining in the stormy dark clouds of COVID-19 for India.
Here are some reasons why.
Global trust and reliability level in China is at an all-time low because of the way it has handled the coronavirus outbreak. Countries such as Japan and South Korea have already decided to shift their companies from China and many other MNCs are eager to leave the country now. In fact, close to 1,000 foreign manufacturing companies are ready to shift their base to India even as we speak.
In
a post-pandemic world, India has a good chance of becoming a global
manufacturing hub if the central and state governments can formulate the right
policies and take concrete steps. India with a working-age population of 64%
and a large English-speaking workforce is well-positioned to take advantage of
this unexpected opportunity.
A major trade and commerce
player
India
has maintained a low infection curve compared to other developed countries such
as China, Italy, Germany, Brazil, France, Russia, UK and the United States. If
we are able to contain the spread soon and end the lockdown, it means lower collateral
damage to the economy. In a post-COVID-19 world, this may position India to
become a major player in commerce and trade.
A good time for mutual fund investment
Though
mutual fund investment
returns are at a historic low due to the COVID-19 crisis, we all know that the
market will make a comeback as things gradually return to normal. This is the
best time for Indian investors to take advantage of rupee cost averaging and
increasing their fund value by continuing their SIP investment plans. For the time being, you can
lower your exposure in equity funds and focus your SIP investment plans on debt funds and
balanced funds.
The
pandemic has shown us how various state governments along with the central
government can work in unison to provide economic, medical and food assistance
to the people. Cutting across party lines, regions, languages, religion and
culture, COVID-19 has shown us that we can act as a united front in times of
trouble. Many countries have praised how India has handled the outbreak.
Importance of cleanliness and
hygiene
Cleanliness
and hygiene has taken center stage due the pandemic. Whether we are rich, poor,
a slum dweller, a villager, or a business tycoon, we have understood the
importance of washing our hands and being careful about how we conduct
ourselves in our daily lives.
Climate change
Last
but not the least; the lockdown has literally been a breath of fresh air,
especially for those living in the metro cities. We hear of rivers and lakes
looking cleaner than ever before, mountain ranges becoming visible from
balconies and terraces, rare birds and species making their appearance, and
original weather patterns and climates being restored.
According
to a report by Global Alliance of Health and Pollution, more than 2 million
people die in India due to pollution-related diseases, which is the highest in
the world. The ongoing lockdown has shown us that ensuring cleaner air is
possible. Though a blanket lockdown is not a viable option, the government can
take a leaf out of this period to take practical steps to curb pollution in a
post-pandemic world.
In conclusion
The
pandemic has taught as many lessons and given us an opportunity to retrospect
our lives. It has offered us an opportunity to spend more time with our loved
ones and pursue our hobbies at home. Most importantly, we need to realize that
this storm will eventually pass away but the decisions we’ll take now will
significantly impact our future. Therefore, take it easy, stay safe at home and
plan for a bright future.
If
the lockdown and the ensuing economic turmoil have created fear and uncertainty
in your investment plans, let Tata Capital Wealth help you navigate these tough
times with expert wealth management and investing solutions. With Tata Capital Wealth, you
can take advantage of holistic and hand-picked investment opportunities curated
according to your investment goal, horizon and risk profile.
18 June 2020
5 mins read
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