Every journey has its pauses and slowdowns, and sometimes, a shift in direction necessitated by unforeseen circumstances. The Covd19 pandemic has caused significant shifts in the journeys of almost every sector one can think of. Each is coping, albeit in different ways.
Among the hardest hit have been sectors like travel, cinema halls, events and hospitality, but they are bouncing back in more ways than one. Within entertainment, where cinema halls were yet to open up to audiences, OTT opened up new vistas for creators, producers and consumers. When cinema halls do return to business – with necessary safety measures in place – OTT would have gained more ground than it would have without a pandemic. The problem of getting a release window in movie halls was a painful obstacle in the democratisation of content creation. With the advent of OTT as the new normal, that obstacle has been removed.
It is very easy to get lost in negativity and cynicism, more so in trying times. As evidenced in the example above, our attempt has always been to not just highlight the negatives of a situation but also seek out and embrace the positives. That attitude will continue, but with a slight shift in direction.
Across industries, startups and their brands have undoubtedly borne the brunt of the economic shock as a result of the Covid19 crisis. Some that kick-started their journeys just before the virus hit, have had the opportunity to rethink their course and chart new growth paths aligned with the current realities. Stimulus Unplugged is one of them.
We officially launched in early 2020 with the core purpose of providing ‘Inspiration to Innovate’ to present and future entrepreneurs and our stories reflected that. We handpicked stories of entrepreneurs from across India who had innovation ingrained in their DNA. We sought out those who made social impact through business and put them on a pedestal to inspire others. Our soft spot for social causes stood exposed, whether it was girl child education, prevention of domestic violence, protecting the environment, hunger alleviation or wildlife protection. With the birth of a new sister publication NewsStrok.in in October 2020, some of these areas will find their pride of place there. Stimulus Unplugged now has the opportunity to take fresh guard and sharpen its focus.
I am extremely grateful for some very encouraging feedback to the content we served despite a curtailed print run since May 2020 because of Covid19. However, there was a growing realisation within the group that while there are a number of titles in English covering startups in India, there is the largely ignored space of businesses down South. Across not just retail but several other sectors, and from large companies to MSMEs, there are those playing a phenomenal role in driving the economy and generating employment, but with very little or no visibility. Could Stimulus Unplugged provide them the stimulus for them to scale newer peaks? It will strive to by shining the spotlight on South Indian businesses, armed with a new vision, editorial leadership and direction.
This is as good a time as any for a rethink on direction. The journey continues.