By C.K.Subramaniam

The lockdown and the empty roads in the metro in the streets and in the sea saw some distinguished changes. We witness deer prancing on streets, Dolphins leaping the bay, Peacocks waiting for food in a parking lot, and nature has come close to us. All said and done April 2020 was the most environmentally friendly month with Carbon emission that was reduced by 6 to 8% worldwide. But what a pity? When pollution is almost nil, we are forced to wear a mask. It makes us think that we are always against nature. Coronavirus cut out our task. We can show extra support while many of us are apart.

We hope this helps you, your family, and your friends feel a bit more connected. Memories matter much during such a crucial period of tense moments.

 Lockdown, distancing, face mask, hand washes with soap, etc are advised by W.H.O. and not by any government. It is very difficult to control and make understand ordinary people. Plan out and execute appropriately. So long as the Corona virus is there we need to keep a strict schedule. Lockdown or no lockdown, we will have to follow government guidelines for the next 6 to 12 months’ time. Making most of the spare time with useful measures will help you to be busy. Do some yoga in the early morning hours, chant some religious mantras to keep your mind fresh, and sleep well to keep you fresh always.

A life, full of experience

 As a senior citizen if you are not allowed to go outside, prepare yourself with a stroll within your first-floor complex staircase space. If you have no health problem you can even climb stairs to keep you fit. Reading books and writing a story will keep you engaged for the maximum time. Moreover, children at home are a boon to spend valuable time narrating stories and other anecdotes and keep the children in good humour. After all, life is full of experience as we witnessed floods, famine, cholera, smallpox, earthquake, emergency, warlike situation, and what not in the past decades. Instead of making criticism, it is time to make use of the available resources and look for a constructive cure and continuous care.

 Clearly, friends, life is bottled up. The genie has condensed to a thick layer of smoke and entered the bottle. The lid is screwed tightly and life is in a bind. Children no more throng the lane. Temple bells ring no more. Vehicles are off the road. The survival instinct has reduced life continuously prompting us to wait to live another day.

 How are you coping with the trauma? The relationship between Nature and Civilisation remains as complicated as ever. While civilization often draws from nature, Mother Nature is often hurt by the inroads of civilization. That debate is better left for another day because of the urgency of the hour. Everyone is left to fend for oneself in compliance with social distance norm and with means available.

Intellectual Drift

 I have reverted to watching some old Hindi movies on YouTube. Already done with Dharmendra’s BahareinPhirbhiAyengi, BaharonkiManzil, and Anupama which all I had missed in my youth. Dharmendra epitomized the quintessential of manhood in the cellular world. We were debating passionately taking sides either with Dharmendra or Rajesh Khanna during College days. My sense of intellect drifts me from the make-believe world towards literature. I dust off my collection to reach a Sobha De, Khuswant Singh, Arundhati Roy, or Paulo Coelho. Books anyway have so many pages and it may be unwise to tax your mind with the serious stuff. I change track to catch a visual on mythology which I have missed. Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana open up new vistas beyond the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. In this way, I toggle between Film, Books, and Mythology. You suggest something more. I will take it if my passion suits you.

 So, friends, this lockout has generated fresh options for us. I would have missed them but for the bottled genie. Life is undefinable and coping is the only option we have. Who doesn’t want a journey to a hill station in summer? Who doesn’t want International flights to be operational soon?

 We are all waiting for the D-Day with bated breath when the nation will announce- KhulJa sim. Genie will be out of bottle and Corona will take its place. Once bottled, it will be thrown in the deep sea never to be found again.