COVID-19: Lockdown India Day #1

No other thing in our times became more infamous and more fearful than the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV): COVID-19 in such a short span of time! It has thrown life out of gear like nothing else had ever before, irrespective of our nationality, race, colour or creed! No one ever had thought that the entire world would be under Lockdown in the 21^st Century due to an invisible enemy of just 60 to 140 nm (One nanometer is 10ˉ⁹metre).

As I write it, it comes to my mind – is it possible to infect people with a virus – say, Happiness Virus - that can have the just opposite effect! I mean, once infected with it, the person feels good, becomes healthier, happier - irrespective of their nationality, race, colour or creed! The world would have such a happy place to live then. Why such good things don’t infect us!

The same way, I would like to put down my thoughts, my feelings, my pains and pleasures during the lockdown – a sort of daily diary – to just record what goes on within us and around us.

While 25^th March 2020 i.e. Day 1 has passed and I have been awakened to a new glorious morning by the sweet chirping of birds on Day 2; I would like to recollect a few things of Janta Curfew call given by our PM Sri Narendra Modi and of the Day1 of Lockdown.

Janata Curfew observed in India on 22^nd March 2020 was highly successful and may be seen as the curtain raiser for Lockdown India, as each of us became aware that the virus COVID-19 has taken very serious proportions and it is high time to lock it down. While almost everyone religiously remained within their houses as instructed by PM, a good number of people were seen mixing with each other and taking out processions dancing to music at 5:00 pm – the time we were supposed to pay our gratitude in unison by clapping to everyone who are out there risking their own lives, to serve us in these difficult times. Those who didn’t limit themselves to their balconies and came out to celebrate it in groups as if they have just won a prized tournament - I pity and wonder, do they really understand the DOs and Don’ts that are being repeatedly circulated by the Government to fight the Virus? Shame on them. Such people who are not following the rules in the fight against COVID-19: apart from themselves and their loved ones, they are endangering the lives of beautiful people around us. If you are one among them – who have been taking this pandemic lightly, it is time to shake off your superhuman egos! Help yourself and the society by simply restricting yourselves to your homes.

While lockdown was expected anytime, the announcement of pan-India Lockdown for three weeks by the PM in the night of 24^th March 2020, made people to rush and come in close contact with others in their attempts to arrange groceries, medicines, milk and other essentials before 00:00 hours. This was again avoidable and people could have kept their calm in the best interest of themselves and everyone others.

Let bygone be bygone now and let’s be now onwards very sensible to our responsibilities against the pandemic.

On Day 1, I remained within my flat as there were no compelling reasons to go out. The official duty roster places me to work from home on alternate days, and Day 1 for me was to be at home! ‘Work From Home’ is easier said than done, truly. With restrictions on maids, all household chores are our responsibility – which takes away a good chunk of time. And, in the oil and gas sector through which I earn my bread and butter, ‘Work from Home’ is an alien concept as it is the physical activities that brings out the oil and gas from the womb of the mother earth. Thus, while I was excited for my very first Work from Home experience, it turned out to be a dampener – as it laid to lethargy and inefficiency. Going through emails and waiting for the two scheduled video conferences – out of which I couldn’t participate in one of them due to technical issues at my end – was really taxing. It ate up my whole day! It is crazy working from home. Those who take up work from home assignments, I wonder how they cope up with it. So, Hats-Off to all around the globe who are working from home for a bigger cause – to save ourselves.

As Day1 is already over, let’s hope that with every passing day the count of COVID-19 victims starts dwindling down, more and more people recover soon and no lives are lost due to negligence.

As well-articulated in his speech by the PM - only Sankalp and Sanyam (संकल्प एवं संयम) i.e. only Determination and Temperance can help us in fighting out with Corona pandemic. Let’s honour his concern and be sensible to our responsibilities towards self, our families and the society.

We shall overcome!

Hum Honge Kaamayaab! Jai Hind! Jai Jagat! 

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