Page 8 - XITE Magazine 2021

Annual Magazine

From The Editor's Desk

Welcome to the 9th edition of the Xavier Chimes!

Today, two things terrify me the most. The Corona virus and failing
economies! While the arrival of vaccines has helped counter the first fear, the
second is still petrifying. Governments all over the world are doing all they
can to hold their economies up. But, in some cases, the balloon is losing air too
fast. While Germany and the United States have been prompt and generous in their financial aid packages,
less privileged nations are uncertain as to save lives or livelihoods. Italy, for example, has faced a severe
economic contraction of around 11 per cent and is going through the worst crisis since the Second World War.
India is not doing much better too! Having seeded stimulus and financial packages, we are still waiting to
witness the desired germination of economic recovery. Our dream for that 5 trillion dollar economy by 2026
has been rudely interrupted. There is also wide contradiction regarding the choice of a possible solution –
while noted academicians think that supporting the industry will provide the much required stimulus for
growth, the corridors of power believes that large industries need to fend for themselves.
But the silver lining to this black cloud is the innovation which was born as the child of necessity. An array of
industries has begun to re-invent and re-engineer, producing some very innovative results. Our local gem Tata
Steel, having experienced the sharp fall in steel demand globally and well as nationally, has diversified into
non-steel materials like fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) and graphene to insulate itself from the demand
shock. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) is planning to rent out its 'idle factories', pharmaceutical major
Cipla is distributing directly to consumers through e-commerce channels, medical representatives are not
visiting doctors any more but using virtual ad-boards, podcasts and webcasts to promote medicines, FMCG
major Marico has set up a tele-ordering facility where retailers can order directly instead of going via
distributors, automobile manufacturers are building systems to eliminate dealer visits, lifestyle majors like
Titan are offering home trials for personal products like jewellery and the list can go on.
So, we can safely say that Covid-19 has been a true mover and a shaker for one and all. We have therefore
devoted this issue of 'Xavier Chimes' to this engaging theme which has changed our life in ways we have not yet
entirely come to grips with. It is full of enthusiastic contributions showcasing the power to perceive and
observe and the talent of creative expression. The students, faculty and staff of XITE College, through their
literary and artistic contributions have made engaging revelations about various tenets of the pandemic.
From charting economic slowdowns to accounting personal experiences to sketching interesting illustrations
about this 'great disruptor', a lot of genuine effort is documented in this issue. We hope that such honest
enthusiasm satiates your curiosity and holds your interest.
At the close, I would like to thank the dignitaries for spending their valuable time to pen down messages for
this edition, the editorial board for its untiring effort in spending countless hours perfecting the contributions,
the supervisors and mentors for working behind the scenes and the contributors who are integral to this effort.
Last but definitely not the least, gratitude is due to you dear reader, who has made the most valuable
contribution, your time! I wish you all the best and a happy reading experience.
Good Luck for 2021!

Dr. Sanchita G. Chowdhury
Editor, Xavier Chimes

06 Volume-IX, 2021