A TIMING PROBLEM

The disease could not have come at a worse time. Just when hopes surged, the real estate sector has been brought down again

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The Holy Bible talks about a lockdown when Noah built the Ark, and God sent down rain for 40 days and 40 nights and caused the great flood. But after that came the respite for man-kind and also relief.

Perhaps after thousands of decades, mankind is in another forced lockdown staying in the arks of their homes. India alone would have spent exactly 40 days in lockdown by May 3. But this lockdown is different. Moreover, there seems to be no consolation in sight.

The world is a far advanced place than what it was at the time of Noah. The current lockdown has dented the balance sheets, morale and mid-term future of economies globally. As a construction and infrastructure magazine, our concern is for the industry has been providing livelihood to millions while contributing almost 8-9% to the GDP.

The government and relevant authorities must take this industry under its mantle (of course, without excluding the manufacturing sector) and ensure that it stays upright.

RELEARNING THE ROPES

The construction industry is watching with great expectations. Fingers are crossed. Wise men tell us that when the darkness comes, stars appear in the sky.

For long, resilience has been every man’s middle name. Like the Israelites said after the destruction of Jerusalem: “The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with dressed stones. The sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” That’s the spirit.