Hopeful 2022

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         Some noteworthy events in 2021 which surely shaped the onward journey to 2022.




 

  • Arrival of COVID_19 Vaccines as the virus mutates. The speed at which Covid_19 vaccines were developed, manufactured and made available was remarkable. As we look back at the history of vaccines, it takes usually 10 to 15 years. The quickest vaccines which was made prior to Covid_19 were the mumps vaccine which took about 4 years to develop. As of the world report, about 7.4 billion vaccine doses were administered in 184countries in first 11 months of 2021, with 70 countries making donations. In 2022, the booster shots will be taking up the space; wondering when the endemic would be announced.

 

  • When hybrid events were becoming a norm, Tokyo Olympics 2021 were held. Nothing was easy but the physical event was carried out where 339 medals were handed out across 33 sports events. Other sports event continues in the same fashion, where teams, players and sports activities happen on field without spectators.

 

  • On political front, America got Joe Biden as its president who moved quickly to fulfill his promise to strengthen relations with American allies. On parallel tracks a new development also took place, where the Taliban returned to power.

 

  • Migration crisis test rich countries. The latest UN report shows some 84 million people around the World have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Conflict, economic collapse, climate change plays a significant role in driving the higher numbers.

 

  • Supply Chains falter. As outsourcing and production were the key to successful business models till 2019; Shortage and stoppage in supply chain far away creates shortages and stoppage at homes. The shortage that got the most attention was in computer chips particularly in gaming consoles and car production.  The supply chain disruption caused by Covid_19 have contributed to a worldwide surge in inflation which is going to linger on into 2022 as well and may be further on.

 

  • In fashion and lifestyle section, the 70th Miss Universe Pageant was held on 13th December 2021 at Universe Dome in Eilat, Israiel; And India had the honor of shouldering the crown for the third time in the pageant history. This privilege was granted to India by the first Sikh beauty, Harnaz Sandhu.

 

  • Remote everything. The covid pandemic forced the world to go remote, getting that shift right have been critical for health care and education. Some places around the world have done well in finding good solutions. Snapask, an online tutoring company has recorded more than 3.5 million users in 9 Asian countries and Byju, a learning app based in India has seen 70 million users. Meanwhile telehealth efforts in emerging markets like Africa and India have been successful in extending healthcare to millions during the pandemic.

 

  • Some bragging news from the tech world were, like billionaires in space; Face filters and home buying algorithms that over pay. The MIT tech review mentions these as epic fails of the technology world in 2021 including Metaverse and much hyped term NFT.

 

  • The Cinema experience had its deja vu in 2021 which was affected by the Omicron scare across. How 2022 would shape there’s a mixed reaction from the industry experts at this juncture. It’s all about time will tell.

 

  • The travel and tourism industry had suffered the most in the past two years. In 2022 its likely to witness a quick recovery because of lower restrictions, increasing the pace of vaccination, and pent-up demand, resulting in revenge travel. Short local trips and destinations will see a surge and domestic tourism will help give some relief to the industry. What’s needed is the respective governments should allow tax rebates in 2022, across industries which will help sustaining and boosting the demand.

 

 

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