Corona virus stopped the world.All movement of men and materials stopped or as hampered due to lockdown and fear of COVID 19 transmission.

India having the world's second largest population faced tremendous challenge of managing food, medicine,other essential items for the whole country.It witnessed world's largest migration challenge .The question arises how it managed the supply chain during the corona pandemic.

The Corona Virus outbreak in China initially impacted the supply chains of Indian industries which are dependent on China for import of components, intermediaries and raw materials. Thereafter, the Chinese production resumed during the year. However due to the global supply chain shocks on account of the pandemic, countries are seeking to build resilience in their supply chains to reduce over-concentration of import sources.

The Indian Government engaged with the Export Promotion Councils and Trade Bodies to address potential disruptions in their supply chains, secure and transport inventories available with various suppliers, and accordingly put them in touch with Indian Missions abroad. The Indian Missions facilitated several Business-to-Business virtual meetings to broaden the supply base of the domestic industry.

The Indian Government has also launched schemes such as Production Linked Incentive Schemes (PLIs) to promote domestic manufacturing capacities in critical sectors such as Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediates, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients apart from electronic components & mobiles etc. These would broaden the base of the supply chains and make products available at competitive prices.

India has one of the biggest network of railways.During the lockdown the railways continued to run special freight trains for transportation of food, medicine, medical supplies, and other necessary items.

Special transportation passes were issued to trucks carrying essential items.

India utilised it's huge chain of fair price shops through which it ensured supply of food to millions of poors.

India has one of the largest number of farmers in the world.

These farmers ensured local supply of food items in their neighborhood and nearby urban areas.

India has huge base of unorganized farm sector, which is flexible and resilient.

Farmers in India are not guided by commodity market and international markets.

They take farming decisions according to local food habits, their own choice of food and traditional farming practice.It ensured flexibility and modification of farming as per local needs.

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