Today, what really is essential?

Each one of us has probably heard a lot more of the word “Essential” in the last few months than we ever expected. And that’s because “Essential” has been one of the most thematic pieces of language during this current crisis.                

We’ve cheered “Essential Workers”, as the light has been shone on the people in the shadows, who actually make the world go round. Amazon has denied us the usual next day deliveries of our inadvisable late night purchases, instead prioritising essential items. As a society, we decided liquor stores should be deemed essential businesses, which we may or may not actually live to regret! We have even seen an awful lot of snark reserved for the self important folks who seemingly prize their essentials over the safety of others… “No, getting your nails done is not essential… Mrs Chaddha!” And, of course, school is not essential, nor are exams. My mother, were she alive, would have been shocked. And, devastated. But that is the “new normal”.

So what do we really “need” in a world that has turned upside down in the past one year? Is “need” the definer of essential? “Need” is perhaps best defined by what is still permissible, which really depends on what’s indispensable. And what’s indispensable — well, that is a matter of perspective. And, interpretation.

There were those who felt cricket was essential, maybe even indispensable. That the IPL would provide the much-needed succor and solace to a grievously traumatised and pained nation. Four hours every evening of sizzling fours and lofted sixes would raise the mood of despondency and despair, even if you had a family member dying in hospital. But the bubble burst, and with no IPL we are still surviving. So perhaps it really wasn’t essential.

Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are surely essential. Now oxygen, Remdesivir, Tocilizumab too. Add Veterinarians. Social services have to remain open. And utilities. Power, water, cooking gas. Also infrastructure. We can’t afford to one day emerge from this pandemic and discover that our bridges and roads have decayed around us. That would be catastrophic. Trains? Buses? Planes? Maybe, yes. Maybe no. The Metro is shut in Delhi off-and-on. So, essential yet not essential. But trucks are certainly essential. They are the ones still keeping the economy moving.

Letting domestic help into hi-rise buildings? Most societies first said non-essential, then bowed to public pressure and changed the verdict to essential. No comments.

Food is tougher to decide. Of course the kirana stores are open for limited, or longer hours, depending on the geography. Also veggies, fruit and milk. They are indispensable, hence essential for sure. But is Zomato essential? Again, it is a point-of-view. Debatable, with strong views on both sides. Some would say it is a utility; some would label it a luxury.

There would be no debate on data being an absolute essential. No data: No Google, no WhatsApp, no Twitter, no Insta, no YouTube, no Snapchat, no Netflix, no Zoom, no WeTransfer, no e-commerce, no virtual classes, no WFH. God, however, has entered the not-essential list; temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras have all been shut for long periods. And non-essential God would have remained till the mahakumbh came along.

Banks would surely make it to essential status. Though there would be no unanimity on how the stock markets constitute an essential service. When the Sensex plunged by a few thousand points last year after the lockdown got underway, it created a bigger pall of gloom than the pandemic itself. Why the stock markets are so essential that they cannot be put on stand-still in these difficult times, and reduce anxiety and stress, is something no one wants to answer.

Politics and elections are indispensable. Hence, essential. We learnt that in Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. No arguing.

What about hugs and handshakes? Going it alone, it turns out, is actually the most social thing we could possibly do under prevailing social distancing norms — the most civic-minded and the most communitarian, by far. But hugs are hugs. Indispensable and very very essential. Hugs are too important to give up forever, but the only way to protect the people we want to hug and to hug them with abandon again someday is to clasp our hands behind our backs for a little while longer. It may be heart-wrenching; it may be traumatic; it may leave you teary-eyed. But it is essential.

Everything feels so completely topsy-turvy and messed up today that it’s easy to believe we’ll never turn right-side-up again. Yes, we may return to some kind of normal, a new normal. Many of these changes will stick. Behaviours forged in months of isolation may linger too. It’s possible that after this ends, we’ll all manage to make do with less than we did before. And re-define what we really need and what is really essential.

The writer is MD of Rediffusion