How lockdown started in India and how it affected its people.
Media sells negativity these days and hence I avoid starting my day with news. Yet information about this new Corona Virus trouble in China was reaching my ears from other sources.
People thought that like its earlier versions SARS, Covid19 will be contained. Afterall, human being is so intelligent and science is so advanced. Man will come out with some antidote but then news started trickling in about its devastating spread in Italy and then Spain.
People thought that like its earlier versions SARS, Covid19 will be contained. Afterall, human being is so intelligent and science is so advanced. Man will come out with some antidote but then news started trickling in about its devastating spread in Italy and then Spain.
However, in India, it was noted that it was coming from people who had just returned from abroad. So I heard people discussing about medical screenings and checking of each passenger at airports. People were being told to avoid going to public places.
On March 14th, my three friends came home to celebrate my birthday and we realised that Indians had already started going out due to cover 19 scare. The metro train was all empty. There were very few people in market. There was lesser traffic on road. Now it started to sink in that going out was not safe. We all decided to stay home thereafter.
On 20th March, our Prime Minister addressed nation, requested us not to panic and stay home for our own safety and ordered a one day lock down on 22nd March 2020 and thereafter on 24th it was a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days to prevent spread of Corona Virus, the COVID-19. We had to maintain social distance, isolate ourselves. Stay Home, Stay Safe was the Call.
Initially, it hardly mattered to me, since for last 10 years, I have mostly been at home, after taking voluntary retirement from my safe and secure Govt job. I had been feeling too tired of my hectic life and needed to slow down, take a breather. I was enjoying being at home.
However, this was completely unprecedented because now everyone was at home not only my family, but also my neighbourhood, my entire Apartment complex, the whole city, the whole Nation. WOW! And my Facebook friends across South America, Australia, Europe, USA……all were at home. The whole world was fighting this invisible virus by staying in the safety net of their abodes. It certainly was not normal.
It felt very strange and eerie on the morning of the very first day of lockdown as I stepped out on my 10th floor terrace over looking a beautiful park. The usual everyday morning buzz of joggers, walkers, yoga exercisers was all missing. The huge park was all empty. The Sun was out, air was cool, the birds were chirping unmindful of what had happened. But not a single human being.
As there was no rust to go out, I felt relaxed and over my morning cup of tea, I started to enjoy the beautiful morning. Felt delighted to listen to various tunes and melodious bird songs. In the complete silence of morning, it was very refreshing and soothing not only to my ears but also to my mind, body and Soul. How come I was not so aware of this earlier.
It felt good but I cannot deny feeling that fear lurking at the back of my mind. Is this onset of an apocalypse? Is this the start of end of this world that we have known. We had been anticipating a IIIrd World War/ Nuclear attack/ Tsunami/ Earthquake etc …something that will wipe out this world but never had anticipated this. The new, tiny, invisible virus had brought the whole mighty intelligent humanity to its knees.
Suddenly each and everyone had come to a same level playing field. All have become equal but untouchables. Each fighting for own survival and this time all alone. Of course your family is with you but what if you touch them or they touch you…..phew…If you Love someone, maintain distance for their safety. How very frustrating. I couldn’t go to see my 80plus parents because in their Apartment complex someone had tested +ive and they had closed the doors for any entry or exit besides essential items. Yes that creepy fear was gently tapping me. Is this really happening in this current modern world.
With none allowed inside home, meant no luxury of any helper which meant I had to do all my work at home myself. Chopping, cooking, dishes, dusting mopping, washrooms, clothes. But my Mom pulled me up saying that if she could do all at her age then why can’t I. Inspired, I pulled myself up. If I had to do it anyway then better do it happily.
There were reports of how wildlife was seen roaming around in city - varieties of deers, antelopes, elephants and they spotted a leopard too in the city. Felt like humans had encroached their space. Stray Dogs in the park were wondering where had all the human beings gone. I could hear their cries through day and night. Some of them could be starving too
On day 1 of the lockdown Prime Minister had requested whole nation to step on door steps and clank bells of any kind at 5 pm in evening to cheer for doctors and other people risking their lives to provide us with daily needs and security in comforts of our home. While on 9th day, at 9pm turn off lights to burn a candle for 9 minutes to show solidarity. Astrologically, its supposed to be a crucial time due to critical planet placement at that moment. I must say, we all enjoyed doing both the tasks. Could feel solidarity of the whole country. What an incredible leader we have. When he speaks on TV, all look upto him and listen to him.
So first 10 days passed getting used to doing all household work, exchanging whatsapp messages and jokes about this sudden change in our lifestyle besides huge gossip and rumours of the mighty virus. It was not difficult for me but for many it was getting boring.
Watching TV news and bad conditions in Italy, Spain, England and USA was starting to worsen our state of mind. So we decided to watch news only twice and avoid reading or send virus related messages. Suddenly none wanted to discuss the big V.
Its been peaceful and relaxing generally . Lot of introspection going on during those moments of Silence. Grateful and Lucky to be Comfortable at home. But yet cannot get rid of the thoughts about all those who cannot afford safety and solace of home, have no access to food, are caught up in transit or are far away from their loved ones. No words for people who lost their loved ones or themselves fighting with this big V.
Decades back, during war times, those black out moments at the start of a loud siren, we were told to hide in dug up holes out of our homes. But this ‘war’ with V, we are locked up within confines of our homes in the company of our loved ones whom we have to protect by distancing ourselves.
This big V has shaken up the whole world out of its ‘slumber’ in flat one month of March, 2020.
Lockdown has been extended till May 3rd, 2020 because cases have started rising. India has huge population and therefore this catastrophe has to be avoided at any cost. Whole Nation has been looking unto and listening to the Prime Minister. He surely knows how to lead and now even his opposition is following him. He surely indicated that we need to change our way of thinking and our lifestyle drastically.
Vandana Ritik
Noida
April 6, 2020
