India must be ahead of curve in post-COVID world: PM

Rather than playing catch-up, India must be ahead of the curve in the post-COVID world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday and exhorted people to use their innovative zeal to chart a new business and work culture redefined by its "adaptability, efficiency, inclusivity, opportunity and universalism".

Calling them "vowels of the new normal", Modi said that like vowels in the English language, these would become essential ingredients of any business model in the post-COVID world.

"Today, the world is in pursuit of new business models. India, a youthful nation known for its innovative zeal, can take the lead in providing a new work culture," the prime minister wrote on LinkedIn.

He also said the next big ideas from India should find global relevance and application.

"They should have the ability to drive a positive change not merely for India but for the entire humankind," he said.

Titled "Life in the era of COVID-19", in the write-up, the prime minister also reminded that COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or border before striking.

"Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood. We are in this together," he said.

Unlike previous moments in history, when countries or societies faced off against each other, "today we are together facing a common challenge. The future will be about togetherness and resilience," he said.

Referring to the post-coronavirus world, Modi said we should evaluate what might be the new opportunities or growth areas that would emerge now.

"Rather than playing catch up, India must be ahead of the curve in the post-COVID world. Let us think about how our people, our skills sets, our core capabilities can be used in doing so," he said.

Today, the world is in pursuit of new business models, he said adding that India, a youthful nation known for its innovative zeal, can take the lead in providing a new work culture.

Logistics was previously only seen through the prism of physical infrastructure -- roads, warehouses, ports.

But logistical experts these days can control global supply chains through the comfort of their own homes, he pointed out.

"India, with the right blend of the physical and the virtual can emerge as the global nerve centre of complex modern multinational supply chains in the post COVID-19 world," he said.

"Let us rise to that occasion and seize this opportunity," the prime minister stressed.

Modi said he envisions the new business and work culture being redefined on the vowels of the new normal.

"...because like vowels in the English language, these would become essential ingredients of any business model in the post-COVID world," he said.

These are: Adaptability, Efficiency, Inclusivity, Opportunity and Universalism.

The need of the hour is to think of business and lifestyle models that are easily adaptable, he said.

"Doing so would mean that even in a time of crisis, our offices, businesses and commerce could get moving faster, ensuring loss of life does not occur," he explained.

Embracing digital payments is a prime example of adaptability.

India is already witnessing an encouraging surge in digital transactions, he said.

The prime minister also sought ideas on business models to further help telemedicine across the world.

Efficiency cannot only be about- how much time was spent in the office, he said, adding that people should think of models where productivity and efficiency matter more than appearance of effort.

On the issue of inclusivity, he said business models that attach primacy to care for the poor, the most vulnerable as well as our planet should be developed.

"COVID-19 has made us realise the need to work on health solutions at low cost and large scale. We can become a guiding light for global efforts to ensure the health and well being of humanity," the prime minister opined.

He said there was a need to invest in innovations to make sure the farmers have access to information, machinery, and markets no matter what the situation, "that our citizens have access to essential goods".

The novel coronavirus outbreak has significantly changed the contours of professional life and these days home is the new office and internet is the new meeting room, Modi said.

"I have also been adapting to these changes. Most meetings, be it with ministerial colleagues, officials and world leaders, are now via video conferencing," Modi wrote.

The need of the hour is to think of business and lifestyle models that are easily adaptable.

The work place is getting "Digital First", he said.

"And, why not? After all, the most transformational impact of technology often happens in the lives of the poor," he said.

It is technology that demolishes bureaucratic hierarchies, eliminates middlemen and accelerates welfare measures, the prime minister said.

He also recommended practising yoga and urged people to download the Arogya Setu app as tool to check the spread the deadly virus.

The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 519 and the number of cases climbed to 16,116 in the country on Sunday, registering an increase of 31 deaths and 1,324 cases since Saturday evening, according to the Union health ministry.

The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic rose to 160,685 on Sunday.