Did 2020 have a silver lining?

In recent memory, there hasn’t been a more emphatic collective sigh of relief going into a new year, as when putting 2020 in the rear-view mirror. And here are some reasons why this glimmer of hope is well placed.

By Dhruv Behl | on January 5, 2021 Follow us on Autox Google News

In recent memory, there hasn’t been a more emphatic collective sigh of relief going into a new year, as when putting 2020 in the rear-view mirror.

And here are some reasons why this glimmer of hope is well placed. For one, the world didn’t completely implode in 2020! Sure, it came to a grinding halt, and there was a personal loss for many of us, but we made it through to 2021 – even if we’re a little battered and bruised as a result. There is a silver lining in the fact that the human race has rallied together in order to face this virus. If nothing else, it’s proven once again that our biology is the same. Sure, income levels will play a large part in deciding who gets the vaccine, and when, but at least it’s demonstrated that neither the virus nor the cure discriminates based on ethnicity or religion.

The simple fact that the scientific community has been able to develop a vaccine in record time is indicative of what the human race is capable of if we truly put our minds to something. Economically, people are hurting – but many are predicting a V-shaped recovery, as they point to the example of the ‘Roaring Twenties’ following the Great Depression. The auto industry has certainly seen a great deal of pent-up demand, and the Indian auto industry has roared back to life. Sure, there’s some amount of trepidation going forward, but also cautious optimism.

This issue gives you an idea of all the hot new metal coming your way in the new year. Suffice to say that the breadth of options is pretty staggering, and the choices have never been greater in the Indian market. As we look to the future, it’s only a matter of time before electric vehicles start to become more attainable and usable. Battery technology is improving steadily, and costs will continue to come down. Add renewable energy to the mix, and the environmental impact is sure to be managed better than before. Perhaps the pandemic will help us put things into perspective, and we’ll realise the importance of health and wellbeing – both our own and the planet’s as well. 

More than anything else, though, 2020 has taught us the importance of resilience and standing up to a challenge – not to mention the power of looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

The light is brighter no doubt, but is it within reach? Well, that’s a matter of outlook and perspective I suppose. Here’s wishing each of you optimism and positivity. If we can take at least that from 2020, then it wouldn’t have been a total washout…

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