Pandemic has been a magnifying glass for inequalities in our society: Azim Premji

BENGALURU: The Covid-19 pandemic has been ‘a magnifying glass for all the structural inequities and injustices in our society’ and all stakeholders — government, industry, civil society, politicians and citizens — need to come together to improve access to public goods and public safety, said Wipro founder chairman Azim Premji.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked staggering human misery and tragedy. It has been a sharp reminder that the economy is a part of society; society is not part of the economy. Human well-being matters — in all its dimensions equally. The pandemic has been a magnifying glass for all the structural inequities and injustices, which excludes hundreds of millions of our fellow citizens from a life of basic dignity,” Premji, who has endowed a large chunk of his wealth for philanthropic activities, said in a message at the virtual annual general meeting of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci).

Premji said that the pandemic has made it clear ‘while markets and businesses have an irreplaceable role in the society, even more fundamental are the public goods and public systems — food, shelter, safety and basic social security’.


He listed out the agenda for a sustainable society — such as equitable and high-quality public education and public health systems; care for this planet and all life on it; elimination of any kind of prejudice and discrimination; and jobs and livelihoods that are just and fair.

“If all of us come together — governments, industry, civil society, politicians, the average citizen, and more — I am sure that this agenda can be fulfilled in large measure. And then we can truly hope to have a just equitable, humane and sustainable society,” Premji said.