Vision 2020: Were we ever there?
Shaheen P Parshad
With NASA all set to enter the lunar race with China, my thoughts race back to a time when life was beautiful and filled with dreams. Cars that could fly, housing for all, a world largely clean, literate and healthy, and green too given all the talk about afforestation - that was the response of a majority of my classmates when our teacher asked us to write an essay on 'Vision 2020' way back in the late 1980s. It would not be wrong to say that our multifarious and colourful thoughts were food enough for an award winning sci-fi thriller.
Back to the present, I often wonder what made us pin such high hopes on the 2020s, which, when they transpired, were more of a biological horror (thanks to COVID-19) than a science thriller contrary to our expectations. While we've made significant strides in several areas, the 2020s that we had envisioned remain a chimeric dream.
The gap between our visions and reality is stark. The flying cars remain elusive, and while we talk about education, its state too largely remains questionable. Health facilities are horrific, white collar crimes are on the rise with even medics becoming party to these, sanitation and environment still cry for attention despite debates on the global level.
As I reflect on our journey, I'm reminded that we debate more than we act. Yet, amidst the disillusionment lies a spark. We've innovated through crises, and technology has been our lifeline.
Today, as we navigate the complexities of the 2020s, let's hold onto the dreams that drove us. Let's craft a world where advancements serve humanity, not just a privileged few, where empathy and progress go hand in hand. While we have AI to assist us in so many things, we cannot depend solely on it to realize our 'Vision 2020'.
With NASA all set to enter the lunar race with China, my thoughts race back to a time when life was beautiful and filled with dreams. Cars that could fly, housing for all, a world largely clean, literate and healthy, and green too given all the talk about afforestation - that was the response of a majority of my classmates when our teacher asked us to write an essay on 'Vision 2020' way back in the late 1980s. It would not be wrong to say that our multifarious and colourful thoughts were food enough for an award winning sci-fi thriller.
Back to the present, I often wonder what made us pin such high hopes on the 2020s, which, when they transpired, were more of a biological horror (thanks to COVID-19) than a science thriller contrary to our expectations. While we've made significant strides in several areas, the 2020s that we had envisioned remain a chimeric dream.
The gap between our visions and reality is stark. The flying cars remain elusive, and while we talk about education, its state too largely remains questionable. Health facilities are horrific, white collar crimes are on the rise with even medics becoming party to these, sanitation and environment still cry for attention despite debates on the global level.
As I reflect on our journey, I'm reminded that we debate more than we act. Yet, amidst the disillusionment lies a spark. We've innovated through crises, and technology has been our lifeline.
Today, as we navigate the complexities of the 2020s, let's hold onto the dreams that drove us. Let's craft a world where advancements serve humanity, not just a privileged few, where empathy and progress go hand in hand. While we have AI to assist us in so many things, we cannot depend solely on it to realize our 'Vision 2020'.
With a majority of organizations now planning their 'Vision 2030', my thoughts return to our lost 'Vision 2020'. "Were we ever there?" I wonder. Apparently no, but we still have time to work on it. All it requires is a will.
The road ahead is uncertain, but it's ours to shape. We've got the chance to redefine our vision, to prioritize compassion, equity, and sustainability. The story's far from over; it's just getting interesting.
Let's write the next chapter, one that's driven by our collective aspirations for a better world. A world that's more just, more equitable, and more beautiful.
The road ahead is uncertain, but it's ours to shape. We've got the chance to redefine our vision, to prioritize compassion, equity, and sustainability. The story's far from over; it's just getting interesting.
Let's write the next chapter, one that's driven by our collective aspirations for a better world. A world that's more just, more equitable, and more beautiful.
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#Vision2020 #NewChapter #Hope #Progress #Sustainability #Equity #Compassion #FutureWeWant #RewriteTheStory
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