The terms population burden and human resource, when mentioned by both seasoned writers and public speakers concerned with marshalling the nation’s millennials into productive tasks of economic value reflect contrasting outlook to the unemployment scene, oscillating between pessimism and optimism. The stressful mental state of families with members past the age of 20 years struggling to find an employer facilitating livelihood is tell-tale. In case of families with either physically or mentally challenged members, the trauma bugging the parents is beyond words. Organisations with trained personnel who can bring light into the lives of disabled sections of society, including those with visual impairment, doing selfless service deserve unqualified adoration. The rural parts are yet to host such organisations, leaving the handicapped rustic families to fend for themselves. In addition, the country’s tribal population, accounting for more than eight million people, survive by their sheer resilience, the quality conspicuously missing in the urbanities. However, women are emerging as a force to reckon with in this competitive scenario of finding a livelihood.

As if to add insult to injury, the ongoing slow-down of the country’s economy, witnessing even well-placed industrial enterprises laying off their workforce in order to reduce overhead outlay, the number of youth and also middle-aged sections in the population experiencing despair has reached unprecedented proportions. Messages from knowledgeable circles expressing hope of revival of the economy is reassuring of happy days ahead.

Even as some life-threatening diseases are defying remedy in the face of advancing medical science waging a losing battle against the illnesses, rendering a growing number of people across the world unhealthy, a deadly virus called COVID-19 has become pandemic, claiming thousands of lives. The extent to which the relentlessly spreading virus impacts human resources in the short-term is being assessed, but the long-term impact may not be clear for some more days. Many measures being put into action seem to be based on guessing their benefit to the masses still spared by the virus. In particular, the stipulation of employees not to stir out of their homes is sure to upset all calculations of marshalling manpower, resulting in a chaos across the various sectors of the economy.

Viruses having probably existed since living cells first evolved, their origins are not clear. While it may take some time before a vaccine or some other remedy is found, whatever measures are already being introduced to prevent spread of the virus, their success is tied to the factor of discipline among people is complying with the measures. Or else, marshalling manpower in the country shall become tougher.