Summary

An Indian reflects on the sudden and drastic changes to daily life due to a nationwide lockdown, grappling with the new reality of isolation, adaptability, and resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

The text captures the personal journey of an individual in India coping with the profound changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially disbelieving the possibility of such a drastic transformation, the author describes a newfound appreciation for silence and nature amidst the eerie emptiness of once bustling streets in Delhi. The narrative highlights the struggle to maintain sanity and equilibrium in isolation, the fear for family members both near and far, and the helplessness felt towards the plight of migrant workers. Despite being an atheist, the author finds solace in prayer and takes solace in creating a new routine that includes exercise, household chores, and leisure activities like dancing to Bollywood music and watching movies on Netflix. The article underscores the importance of adaptability, gratitude, and respect for nature, while acknowledging the cyclical nature of history and the inevitability of future challenges that will test human resilience.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep sense of disbelief at the rapid changes in their daily life due to the pandemic.
There is a profound appreciation for the unexpected peace and quiet that has replaced the usual noise and hustle of Delhi.
The author empathizes with the migrant workers who are suffering greatly due to the lockdown, expressing both sadness and a sense of helplessness.
Despite the circumstances, the author remains hopeful and adopts a positive outlook, finding ways to stay physically and mentally fit within the confines of their home.
The text conveys a sense of gratitude for the small joys in life, such as birds chirping and cleaner skies, which have become more apparent during the lockdown.
The author believes in the importance of routine to provide a sense of purpose and discipline during uncertain times.
There is a recognition that the pandemic will eventually fade from collective memory, and a fear that humanity may revert to its destructive habits unless it learns to respect nature.
The author reflects on history's cyclical nature, acknowledging that humanity will likely face future trials that will challenge its adaptability and resilience.

Adaptability

“We first make our habits, then our habits make us.”

Is this for real ?

A fortnight ago if someone had told me that my world would change so drastically I would have scoffed with disbelief.

Yet today I grapple with the perceivable changes all around and try not to lose my sanity and equilibrium.

How do I do that ?

For an Indian, I am still getting accustomed to the quiet….

The absence of people, noise, traffic and pollution in Delhi, the capital of India was unimaginable.

I never thought I would ever miss the constant ringing of the door bell, be it a friend, household help, milkman, dhobi, courier or the plumber you needed urgently ?

I look down at the empty streets, devoid of adults and the chitter chatter of children, running around and calling out to each other.

Today in the silence I hear the pounding of so many fearsome hearts, worrisome and uncertain of the future. We are living with the fear that this unprecedented medical crisis should not create havoc in our lives or snatch away our older generation who we so need to sculpt our children to be sensitive and caring humans.

How does one cope with a situation you never ever anticipated or planned for ?

Today we are in the midst of a world wide pandemic, with each nation struggling to control the number of infected patients, trying to contain the disease and minimise death.

Its a battle that each country has to fight on its own, learning and finding solutions from the experience of nations, who were unfortunate to have had the virus impact them earlier.

Four days gone … another seventeen days to go !! If we flatten the curve and contain the spread, the lockdown will be lifted.

I do have faint memories of war time sirens blaring and as kids running and hiding in trenches. However as a kid, the seriousness was lost on me and one enjoyed running out and hiding in the trenches with a few other families. The period we spent in the trenches was short and we were back in our homes the moment the all clear siren sounded.

The pandemic today demands we stay indoors and not step out of our homes. This will protect us and our families from getting infected with this novel corona virus.

This is indeed novel for most Indians. As a nation, we are social and resist isolation and social distancing. Our dependence on family and friends is innate, irrespective of religion, status or age.

How does one retain your sanity and not worry about your children who are in distant countries having to deal with this ordeal without your support or help ?

We all have coping mechanisms. I have accepted the inevitable and decided to be positive.

I am thankful for being equipped to deal with the crisis, unlike so many who have lost their livelihood and jobs. I see, from television footage, the plight of hundreds of migrant workers stuck at sealed inter state borders, desperately trying to get back to their families in remote villages.

I wish they were better prepared for this uncertainty and upheaval in their lives. Most of them do not comprehend or understand why and how they have become victims, losing their jobs, faced with destitution and hunger.

I feel so helpless and sad ?

What do I do ?

Despite being an atheist, I resort to praying before drifting to sleep at night. I pray that the migrant workers are not permanently displaced and do not go hungry. I pledge to financially assist a few unemployed people in my vicinity.

I pray that the virus disappears as suddenly as it descended on us. Faith gives you hope, courage and resilience.

Fortunately, India had a little time to prepare. The virus had wrecked havoc in China since the beginning of 2020 and was beginning to spread to different parts of the world. The moment the first few cases of Covid 19 occurred in India, lockdown was inevitable and we are glad that the decision was prompt and immediate.

I cope with all the confusion, sadness and anxiety by trying to stay positive. Exercise, helps in developing physical and mentally fitness during this lockdown. Unable to step out, new workout routines at home are now the need of the hour.

It takes a few days to form a habit and I am creating a new routine for my life at home. Routine gives you a sense of purpose and instils discipline which is so important for me.

Morning newspapers are not being delivered, so I watch the news on waking up. After that and my morning cup of tea I involve myself in household chores, and surprisingly, enjoy cleaning, mopping, washing and cooking.

To build up an appetite, and being used to a regular morning pilate class that I am unable to now attend, I switch on a peppy Bollywood music video channel on tv, and dance along for an hour. This is something I have never ever done. I have no rhythm and have always shied away from dancing in public and am thankful for the solitude my room provides me. This novel form of exercise enables me to stay positive, happy and fit in these trying days.

Change in lifestyle does tend to reduce your appetite. So eating less is ok, however a balanced and healthy meal is what one needs.

The peace and quiet, interrupted only by the sounds of birds chirping in the distance, does induce me to take a short afternoon snooze.

A movie on Netflix is more relaxing than going through all the whats app forwards one is receiving, adding to our fears, anxiety and helplessness.

Walking within the house, doing yoga for an hour or even playing with the kids are all important and necessary. This is a great opportunity to catch up on reading and enjoy the change in the sights and sounds around you.

I stand in my balcony and the cool, unpolluted wind blows away all my worries. I hear and see birds flying by, peacocks revelling in this unusually long spring that we seem to be enjoying this year. The tree branches are turning green and the sky is a blue Delhi has not seen for years and years.

Giving up your freedom is not easy. After the initial reluctance, its now a temporary reality most of us have accepted. We do it because we have no choice and history will record this pandemic the world and we faced in 2020, recording the devastation and loss of lives, and how vulnerable we humans were !!

Will we learn lessons from this if we survive ?

Yes, for a few years.

We will stop taking things for granted and value our freedom.

Then slowly it will fade in our memory, and we will revert back to our indulgent, self seeking ways, ravaging and destroying nature with a ruthlessness and selfishness that only the human race is capable of exhibiting.

Years will go by.

It is a cycle. History will repeat itself and something novel will come up again that keeps humans on their toes, testing our adaptability and resilience, teaching us humility, gratitude and respect for nature.