Powering the Fight against COVID-19

Powering the Fight against COVID-19

American Politician Rahm Emanuel has put it aptly that “You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.” This is sure that the COVID-19 crisis will pass and what distinguishes one country with others is the way it handled issues like Social, Economic, Technological, Environmental, and the Web/App based education and Work from Home.

Despite being superior among all the living animals and having vast experience in crisis management, the NOVEL CORONAVIRUS has brought us to the ground and confined to the limits of home. The impact of the virus is so omnipresent that every sphere of human life has affected drastically. Besides taking around 1.17 lakh lives and affecting around 18.48 lakh people across the globe (as on 15.04.2020, Source WHO.int), the virus brought plethora of changes which require out of box solutions.

 Today, more than 200 countries around the world are affected by COVID-19.  The infectious virus is a great leveler and does not discriminate countries on the basis of development, healthcare infrastructure, Urban-rural divide or gender.  To counter Covid-19, many countries including India enacted complete lockdown with exception to most vital services.  Among the essentials, electricity generation is one. The power industry continues to do what it does best by providing electricity 24X7/365. Doctors, Nurses, fire fighter, police officials and public service professionals tend to get most recognition as Frontier Warriors, as they deserve, but the employees who keep the lights on deserve praise too. Often termed as thankless job, consumption and reliable electricity indicates human development. Further, the reliable electricity is one of the most critical services which often needed by the other heroes to perform their duty.

The huge disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted how much modern societies rely on electricity. While in normal situation, domestic, agriculture and industrial use surge demand for electricity; in lockdown scenario the demand surges from new areas as crores of people are confined to homes and resorting to Work from Home as well as streaming video platform to find entertainment. A reliable and 24x7 uninterrupted power supply underpins all these services. Needless to say the growing demand due to scorching summer both for domestic and healthcare sector.

Despite the increased use of digital technologies in electricity systems, the coronavirus has also reminded us at essential role of skilled personnel.  It is basically labour intensive sector in India where workers and engineers have to do the work on site. It’s every single Indian’s life that counts the most, of course. As PM Modi said in his national address — “Jaan hai to jahan hai (if there’s life, then there’s the world)”. The crisis also underlined sufficient backup of skilled manpower as well as physical assets and raw materials.

It’s during times like these NTPC’ s virtues of being the leading power producer with pan-India presence, a Great Place to Work and Responsible Corporate Citizen really tested and put under the scanner. When faced with existential crisis or an external war-like situation, India always fights back as unified being. NTPC has pitched in to shore up the national fight against COVID-19 by supplying uninterrupted and reliable power, ensuring best workplace facilities both for its employees and contract workers and as responsible corporate citizen contributed Rs. 250 crores to PM-CARES Fund. Add to this, NTPC employees have contributed their one-day's salary amounting to Rs 7.5 crore. Further, Rs 11 crore is being spent additionally for undertaking protective measures at various locations throughout the country.

In tandem with respective local administration, NTPC units have come forward in strengthening infrastructure to fight COVID-19, providing PPEs and medical equipment, Sanitizers, etc. Further, each unit is sanitizing its premises and township, creating awareness in and around the plants, distributing essential grocery items among migrant workers and nearby people, conducting medical camps and many more.

Our united efforts for well being of humanity will be not wasted. Our sincere efforts and dedication will bring India again on its prosperous path. NTPC does its beat by Powering the fight against COVID-19 and we take great pride for our efforts in this crisis by Powering India, emPowering People.

By Sahadev Sethi, Mgr (Corp Comm), NTPC-Ramagundam