Step into the new decade with hope

As we step into a new year and a new decade, mankind is armed with new knowledge and tools. Cities must use these learnings to transform themselves into more liveable, inclusive, and sustainable spaces.
Among the foremost learnings could be related to public health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of cities across the globe with little exception; the rich and prosperous ones appeared more vulnerable. These countries with more robust public health systems, technologies and funding, buckling under the strain of the pandemic as much or even more than less advanced nations, will remain a mystery for some time. However, all countries have realised the need for better equipped public healthcare facilities, constant surveillance, and effective responses. A critical element of an effective public health system will be citizen participation. There must be constant efforts to update and upgrade citizen awareness, and to build appropriate response mechanisms. Several countries such as South Korea and Japan had seen greater success in containing the spread of the corona infection. There could be learnings for all from there. And finally, India has created new standards and records for rapid development, trials, and production of vaccines. The corona vaccine was rolled out in record time compared to development time frames for vaccines in the past. This can set new benchmarks for pharma companies worldwide.
Now, with two vaccines available and inoculations having started, the next several months will see this activity occupying centre stage in our cities. It calls for meticulous planning and management of distribution systems to reach all areas of the city. Then, identifying, enrolling and administering the vaccine to the selected target groups will be a big task too. This entire activity will again test the capabilities of city administrations and the public healthcare infrastructure. Urban local bodies have already experienced several new dimensions to their work during the pandemic. Door-to-door surveys, contact tracing, setting up temporary care centres for the affected, beefing up services in state-run hospitals, tying up with private healthcare centres, monitoring quarantine procedures, and so on. All this while keeping the routine service delivery activities in shape and ticking.
Cities faced several other challenges during the months of the lockdown. Among them were the difficulties faced by migrant labourers. These workers who work to build our cities and their systems need special focus to reduce their vulnerabilities and pains during such situations. Large numbers of NGOs and citizens, aided by local bodies, rose to the occasion to meet the needs of the stranded migrants and mitigate their pain and distress. These efforts were noted and applauded all over. These learnings must enable cities craft appropriate policies for fair, just and equitable responses in times of crisis.
Armed with these experiences and learnings, we can enter the new decade with greater hope and confidence, that a better future awaits us all.