CORONA TIMES

Soon after getting up at about 5:00 am every day, I sit in my balcony for some time. Crimson sky from behind the Kasouli range of mountains greets me. Meandering thoughts start emerging. Mountains are wherever they were. Rivulets also continue to gurgle. Today I heard a Koel (Indian Nightingale) sing from the branches of a nearby mango tree. This was season’s first hearing. This melodious voice filled my mind with joy. I also see black winged birds fly over my head.

 But what has happened to the one who considers himself at the top of the creation? He who created wonders with his intelligence appears to have been petrified. Fear of the unknown looms everyone’s mind. Fading sounds of the hooters of the ambulances, especially in the cities, instill fears. Life in villages still seems to be normal. But if proper precautionary measures are not taken now-it will be too late. 

 He has treaded the Moon and now is hectically busy in finding ways to settle on Mars! With his creativity he proudly created jungles of concrete and exploited natural resources beyond need to satisfy his greed. Pesticides and fertilizers increased the yield but ushered in an era of deadly diseases. We became prosperous at the cost of our health.

The invincible appears to have been defeated by an invisible virus. Now they say it is in the air. The new variants are more horrendous. From droplets now it moves to aerosols. If you live in a highly infected zone- you need to mask your face even inside your homes. Life in metros as well as in the cities gets enveloped in fears of uncertainty and scarcity. Yes-scarcity of oxygen, of life saving drugs, ventilators, concentrators and beds.

I always look towards the rising sun. I know each dark night is followed by a bright day. Tears pave way to beautiful smiles. If there is a thorn, there is a rose also. When I see hoarders hoarding medicines and selling them at very expensive rates, I also see two middle aged ladies cooking and packing food in their small kitchen in Patna for those who are in struggling to be admitted in hospitals. I was overwhelmed when I saw an octogenarian offering his ventilator to a young patient saying that he had lived his life. 

My happiness knew no bonds when I saw, 4 muslims in Assam, who slipped into PPE kits to lift the dead body of a Hindu neighbour for cremation. You know, even your own kin fear to go near the dead!! My heart cried when I knew how some workers were quarantined in toilets in Chamba but thanks to the District Magistrate who intervened and got them shifted to some other place.

I also admire the efforts of those people who offered free of cost refilling of oxygen cylinders by sending messages on social media. Even a Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) in Delhi arranged free refilling of oxygen cylinders. This indicates that humanity is still alive. Where are those corporates-which take billons as incentives from the govt.? When will they come to our rescue? 

Words fail to express our gratitude towards the doctors, nurses, para-medical staff on duty, ambulance drivers and sweepers. All are fighting with the invisible virus to save our life. Kudos to them. What can we do? I think if you cannot do something extraordinary, just talk to your friends and relatives who have been tested positive once or twice daily. It gives them a lot of solace.