KARACHI:
In the midst of the pandemic, societies around the world have shown profound resilience in order to cope with lockdown and restrictive measures. With education being more dynamic and innovative at the backdrop of digital solutions, work from home creating avenues for more flexible and evolving work patterns, and family life strengthened, multiple milestones have been covered in a short period of time.
However, what adds to this silver lining is the fact that our lives are becoming all the more globalised. The paradox of the pandemic can be highlighted by the fact that people have reconnected with each other in myriads of ways previously unimaginable. The globalised world has further shrunken as people find themselves sharing a similar fate. Cross-border online learning opportunities have paved the way for unique collaboration opportunities between people and non-state actors across continents allowing people to explore novel means of communication and cultivating friendship through common interests. With physical interaction upended under fluctuating lockdowns, social media has become the game changer. From “pawri girl” taking the world by storm, to online gigs and the rise of freelancing, it is irrefutable that the youth have learnt exceptional skills. Moreover, the economic void has spurred feeling of empathy and created greater awareness regarding poverty and depravity. As a result, societies and national governments are working hand-in-hand to mitigate the effects of income disparities.
Thus, to steer societies out of the striding tide of the pandemic and to strengthen the momentum of grit and resilience, unlearning the old ways seems to be the emerging norm. As the youth grabs the reins of new skills, Wordsworth’s assessment of youth power becomes apt: “to be young was heaven”. Therefore, one can envision states and societies coming together to pave the path that strives to galvanise and create more opportunities.
Hadia Mukhtar
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2021.
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