Knowing full well that wishful thinking about remedies from pains of the pandemic would not bring fruits to any individual and the nation, it is time to explore elements of optimism in harsh realities of the day.
In this challenging situation for any country it requires a fresh outlook, free from pessimistic vibes, to search for as yet unknown opportunities, taking unique lessons from the once-in-a-century crisis.
The current context further demands freedom from the kind of optimism which often implies justifying the status quo, offering mere consolation for setbacks or sitting idle but daydreaming.
In a situation plagued by a health disaster and its economic fallouts, people are bound to seek solutions inclusive of a new sense of direction. Bangladesh now needs a stronger path towards progress in a world which now looks different.
"The optimism possibly is: Bangladesh exists as long as Bangladesh exists," researcher Sajjad Zohir notes, however, arguing that if good policies are taken and required actions realised, there are reasons to be optimistic.
"There can be such a long list. Who will bell the cat?" the economist says as he also cautions against succumbing to a pressure situation from the whole generation today.
Not all do conform to opportunistic standpoints that often lead to a gradual decline or even ruining of themselves in absence of grand initiatives that people of each generation need to undertake.
There is a need to look for a solution to issues such as price spiralling, new poverty, investment stagnation, erosion in income and savings, healthcare uncertainty, digital divide, massive unemployment, and lack of social protection -all that which defined the 2020 Bangladesh hit by the Covid-19 global pandemic.
Asked to share their ideas of how to get rid of despair, around 40 students of different universities in Bangladesh have aired their optimism identifying a few areas.
They commonly believe Bangladesh's youth bulge and their enterprising attitude are a key factor that would create a positive vibe among people. Innovation of coronavirus vaccines has been a major confidence booster for them.
Banking on the country's economic resilience, the tech-savvy educated youngsters have learned how to live and work in difficult circumstances and lead a lifestyle of better hygiene, they say. And they see enough reasons to be optimistic about shaping their own future alongside the country's.
"Young people are finding opportunities, initiating startups, and becoming entrepreneurs. That's a shift in their career orientation," Kazi Fatiha Binte Habib, an IBA student at Dhaka University, wrote in her reaction to The Financial Express query.
Some of them find optimism in expansion of online education and e-commerce, freelancing and overseas jobs, drives for productivity boost across various sectors including apparel, tourism growth, and infrastructure development.
"We feel optimistic about the startup ecosystem in Bangladesh. In recent times, the sector has witnessed a lot of growth," observes Ariyana Khan of Asian University of Women. She adds, "Our youth today are shifting towards a more entrepreneurial mindset. We can see innovative startups emerging across health tech, edu-tech (education technology), food tech, etc."
Recognising a change in youth focus from their careerist path to self-development, MS Islam, a journalism graduate now serving as an internee, is also euphoric about growing "political consciousness" among the youth forces unlike common perception of their apathy to politics.
Naufel Anwar Ishaq, a student of British School of Law, observes that they are hopeful about "good days ahead" as the current difficulties are only challenges, not problems, to them that, they are confident, could be turned into opportunities in the course of time.
"Overseas jobs may again be a great opportunity for us and the economy may flourish on a higher flow of remittances," Sazi Ahamed of Stamford University points out.
Suraiya Begum Ruhi, a student of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, wants introduction of 'martial arts' for female students for ensuring their security at critical moments.
According to Helal Mohiuddin, a professor at North South University,' women-led rural entrepreneurship' is an area of grand optimism taking over other areas. "Women-led rural entrepreneurship is changing fast the social dynamics in rural Bangladesh. A sense of emancipation among girls is gaining fast traction," he points out.