KV Network

The other side of Covid-19

The other side of Covid-19
Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page

(Ismat Fathima)

The mere mention of the terms ‘Halo’ or ‘Crown’ creates an aura of wonder and a sense of delight in the human mind. However, the name ‘Corona’ derived from ancient Greek referring to the characteristic appearance of the particles of the eponymous virus reminiscent of a crown or wreath, has struck fear and panic deep in  the hearts of people.

This global lockdown of coronavirus pandemic has put under restriction more than a third of the world’s population. Mandatory quarantines, curfew, closures of schools and non-essential businesses, work from home directives, ban on gatherings of more than two people, and travel restrictions with the closing of international borders have left the world struggling with a sudden change in day to day activities.

After more than two weeks of strict lockdown in the subcontinent, people are craving for the lifting of the ban. Confined to their homes, people want to get back to the routine lives they had been leading pre-Corona. Meanwhile, the real heroes- first responders and doctors have been tirelessly serving humanity to contain the spread of the deadly disease worldwide. With everyday-life thrown off track, there is a great deal to be learned from this; every ordeal comes with its own set of lessons and this is no different.

As the world enters the fourth month of the spread of the virus and is still grappling with the havoc it has created, it is worth visiting a few overlooked ideas centering around the concepts of peace, tranquility and resourcefulness. A few truths have been acknowledged which were awaiting long overdue recognition.

The first thing we all learned is that we could limit our use of resources- natural and otherwise, to the minimum. The temporary closure of businesses has given us the gift of the discovery of our own resourcefulness, where we realize that the rich do not owe any superiority over the poor for the preference of obtaining essential commodities. Having loads of money in bank accounts would by no means be a ticket to enjoy preferential treatment during an epidemic. When something as deadly as Coronavirus strikes, it is as merciless to the rich as it is to the poor.

No rich has ever been historically recorded to have bribed disease or death into sparing him. We have also learnt that privilege extends only to the events we have control over. What’s beyond human control does not differentiate between the rich and the poor.

What this outbreak has shown us is that nobody can fight fate- what is destined to happen will happen. Fortune or misfortune- finds its way right through anything. When nature takes its course, there’s no stopping it. But amid all this chaos, the lockdown has taught us to appreciate the little things in life that we had overlooked for long, and the big things in life which were taken for granted since the beginning of time, so to say.

Before the outbreak of the pandemic, most of us had stopped acknowledging the significance of family and the comfort and support they provide us. But now we have begun to actually hang out with family more. Movement bans have forced us to discover how nice people in the family are.

Instead of hurrying to leave the house and go meet acquaintances for idle gossip over a cup of tea at the cafe round the corner, we have learnt to devote time to family. Also, we have learnt to know the value of home-cooked meals and to appreciate the culinary skills members of our family possess, which had been overshadowed by our desires to dine out to satiate our ever increasing appetite for piquant foods.

Post-Corona, the world has witnessed that people can actually focus on what’s really important than just the mundane. We all can survive without expensive holidays, cruises, lavish parties and a whole lot of other indulgences. We have learnt that being content is a luxury we all can afford.

We also learnt that we can actually do well without maliciously speaking about others, or being spitefully critical in others’ absence. This has also taught us that we human beings have a higher purpose in life than just idle talk and backbiting. We have also learned that the world can live without war, without the urge to establish territories and without the need for recognition of supremacy. The world has also learned that the lockdown in certain parts of the world affecting daily lives is just a fraction of what people of Syria, Palestine and Kashmir have experienced over the last few decades.

 Also, this period had taught us to develop hobbies other than just binge watching series after series on our favourite streaming apps. We learnt that human beings are capable of good things. We have learned to appreciate the quiet and peace around us. We have learned that humanity takes the front seat during difficult times and distinction of religion is not a hindrance in spreading love.

Also, not all wars are fought in the battlefield, with weapons. When it’s an invisible enemy, the war is fought from within the confines of our homes, protecting ourselves and the human race. In these difficult times, the world has witnessed a wave of short clips and videos by concerned netizens urging friends and family to stay indoors till the danger subsides.   

In these difficult times, we have also learned that not all hope is lost, neither  kindness is dead. We have witnessed compassionate souls go the extra mile to make sure that the needy don’t struggle for square meals.

We have learnt that wildlife too has a right to the Jungle. We had ventured and settled into their territory for so long that the lockdown prompted them to stroll down deserted city streets in bewilderment. We have also learned that union is strength, no matter people’s religious beliefs. We have also learnt that it is not the survival of the fittest, it is survival of the kindest.

Also we have learned that life can go on even if it slows down. W.H.Davies had more than a century ago in his poem ‘Leisure’ written

WHAT is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?—One hundred and ten years later, his grievance finally isredressed in the most unexpected way.

(The author is assistant professor at MANUU and can be reached at [email protected])

 

 

 

 

 

 


KV Network

Kashmir Vision cover all daily updates for the newspaper

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *