From the Editors: Plenty of hope for 2021

IS THERE ANY HOPE IN 2021? It was a year filled with misery. From economic collapse to the unnecessary deaths of thousands all over the world. Thank goodness 2020 is behind us - but what hope does 2021 bring? Well, thanks to all of the hard work throughout the last year in creating a vaccine for COVID-19, there is plenty of hope. But aside from the vaccine, there has been a huge change in how people behave in general. And it is a change for the better. For instance, more people are washing their hands than ever before but they’re not just trying to be more hygienic, they are being far more caring and attentive towards one another too. With people going out of their way to help families and friends - be it by grabbing groceries for them from the store or just calling them more often on the phone - humanity has shown its strength during the testing past year. And, if we can build on this aspect alone, then 2021 should be far better than we’re all hoping it to be. - Imran Malik, Assistant Editor

NEW SCHOOL TERM BEGINS WITH NEW HOPES: The New Year has brought with it renewed hopes of returning to a state of normality, as the vaccines for COVID-19 are rapidly being deployed. The UAE too has begun the vaccination process, creating a protective shield against the deadly disease. In this situation, as the new school term begins on Sunday, it is expected that more and more students will return to normal in-class attendance. Because it must be remembered that while online classes have been a boon, going to school physically is a vital part of personality development. - Somshankar Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Editor

KIWIS, THE NICE GUYS OF CRICKET, RULE THE TEST FORMAT: New Zealand, always considered a potent force in the shorter format of cricket, are now showing they have in them to fancy their chances of winning the World Test Championship this year. The Kane Williamson-led side look to rise to the top of the world rankings for the first time, replacing Australia, if they can just avoid defeat against Pakistan in the second Test in Christchurch starting on Sunday and wrap up their two-match series. What’s more, the affable Williamson is also now the No.1 ranked Test batsman as he relegated Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to second and third spots respectively, earlier this week. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

HOLLYWOOD LOOKS AHEAD WITH THE HELP OF SUPER HEROES: Wonder Woman, Black Widow and James Bond have a mighty job cut out for them in 2021 – to resurrect a flagging global box office post pandemic. Gal Gadot’s Diana Price closed 2020 with a wave of her golden lasso to kickstart the proceedings, but it will be up to tentpoles such as Marvel’s ‘Black Widow’ and ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, along with Universal’s new ‘Fast & Furious’ installment and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ to rev up the box office collections. Meanwhile, Daniel Craig will also flash his license to thrill in his last outing as James Bond. Let’s hope it’s all worth the final showdown before he bows out. - Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor

MARKETS DON'T LIVE ON LIQUIDITY ALONE: The reality around the world is that the global economic growth has shrunk drastically and the prospects for a recovery appears slow, painful and gradual. Yet, asset prices across financial markets keep reaching new highs daily. Can the markets continue its paradoxical rise amidst no macro or micro fundamental to justify it? The most optimist market analysts have no plausible explanation for the strange mix of buoyant markets and economic despair except the liquidity glut from monetary easing by central banks. The central banks’ have the power to monetize debt, but that is no consolation for squeezed earnings and cash flows of companies, which will eventually dictate their valuations. - Babu Das Augustine, Banking Editor