28 May 2020|Noida | Amity University, Noida
Webinar on ‘Impact of Covid-19 on Automobile Industry’
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A webinar on ‘Impact of Covid-19 on Automobile Industry’ was conducted by Mr. Naveen Munjal, MD - Hero Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd as part of the CEO Webinar Series at Amity University. He talked about his journey in electric mobility through Hero Electric with a mission of ‘No Emission’. He shared how they were the pioneers to create 100% swappable product range with widest network of dealers across India and the only company to have its complete bike and components ARAI certified.
“Since COVID has hit, the automotive industry has shrunk globally,” said Mr. Munjal. He shared that over 1.5 lakh EVs were sold in India alone in 2019-20 and 99% of E-vehicles sold in India are E-Scooters and E-Ricks. He further averred how a recent study by Harvard School of Public health directly links Air Pollution to higher Coronavirus Death rates. It was discussed how major cities around the world saw drastic improvement in air quality due to the lockdown and vehicles being off the road. He stated the possible positive outcomes for the electric vehicular segment due to COVID-19. Mr. Munjal also detailed about the advantages of electric 2 wheelers as they have the lowest purchase point; lowest cost of ownership and highest conversion probability making them the fastest mode to e-mobility. “COVID lockdown has brought down AQI levels drastically, hence giving a live example of effects of pollution caused by vehicles on road. The citizens are getting aware of the positives of EVs as an alternative to ICE vehicles to maintain air quality,” averred Mr. Munjal.
A webinar on ‘The Crisis Reporting: Breaking the Ground Zero Stories (COVID-19) was conducted by Mr. Sohit Mishra, News Correspondent and Anchor, NDTV India. He shared how he has been following a number of beats during these times and his journey while doing the reportage following the migrant workers. He told students that they cannot be journalists just by studying about it. They need to experience every aspect including a protest, a court room proceeding, a police station etc to see the ground reality. “Students need to be curious first to be a journalist and to understand the problems of people. You should listen to stories of people and ask questions,” said Mr. Mishra. He asked students to step out of their homes to know how the system functions.
He shared his journey in NDTV where he has covered Mumbai floods, Maharashtra politics and the ongoing migrant crisis among the prominent stories in journalism. “It is important to witness and see these happenings as they will form an integral part of history,” said Mr. Mishra. He said that news is happening everywhere and people should have the perspective to see it. He also advised students that it need not be necessary that if no one is covering it then it is not a story. “Along with lectures even the practical aspect is integral in journalist,” said Mr. Mishra. Responding to student queries about what journalism is and what has changed that has kept journalism alive, Mr Mishra shared that a lot has changed and how news is presented. He further stated how videos of his reportage of Mumbai-Nashik highway especially made for YouTube garnered lot of response.