Don’t Be Scared of COVID, Use Sensitivity To Help Society: Siddharth Shirole

Range Hills, September 4, 2020: Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), a constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune organized a panel discussion on ‘Managing Covid-19 in Pune: Perspectives from the ground’ on 3rd September. The webinar was a first-of-its-kind initiative within Symbiosis International University and perhaps across the nation, wherein, people’s representatives were invited to an academic institution to give real insights on the practical skills needed to manage a crisis.

Brig. (Dr.) Rajiv Divekar, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), Pune initiated the panel discussion on the impact of COVID-19 in society and on education. Siddharth Shirole, MLA Shivajinagar, and Pramod Kumar Singh, CEO, Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB), were the chief guests for the online webinar.

The theme focused on the crisis response capability required to ensure the efficient management of incidents to minimize associated negative impacts, meet government and social priorities around maintenance and confidence, and to ensure the continued delivery of critical deliverables for the smooth sustenance of mankind.

The key points of the conversation were the focus on fighting the crisis together, handling misinformation, and effective planning to navigate the uncertain times. Although there are many active cases country-wide, Shirole advised, “the students should not be scared but instead ensure that they keep themselves safe and use their sensitivity as citizens to help the society.”

Given the unknown variables surrounding the outbreak, it is important to review crisis and public safety plans, develop different scenarios, and put them to the test. Understanding and managing risks in a time of disruption is a dire need. In this, the practical steps in developing a proportionate crisis, resilience response plan, and implementing it to the wider society is a real managerial challenge.

KCB CEO Singh spoke about public awareness, resource management, financial management, solid and biowaste management, and implementation of preventive measures in marketplaces. The rebuttal of incorrect information is important to reduce ambiguity and increase awareness, he said.

The webinar provided a platform for the young student managers of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune to understand the current model of social experiments, exercises, success, and failures irrespective of political boundaries.

The most important takeaway was given by Shirole where he mentioned, “COVID-19 is a situation that is made to assist humanity. It is important to be as human as you can be and help save the nation.”