Going Viral

Posted on: April 20, 2020 Posted by: Manju Gupta Comments: 48

They came looking for me. It was the end of January. The virus had yet to unleash its fury fully.  I had flown Air China with a brief stop at Beijing on my way back from San Francisco. The visiting officials were tracing anyone who had passed China in the past month and had all my flight details including my seat number. Quite unexpectedly the great Indian Republic was working effectively and efficiently. Suitably impressed I asked if I was the only traveler from Gharaunda, the small town I live in. They informed me that there were six others. That is when the enormity of the task  hit me. Containing a deadly contagion when the whole world is on the go is impossible. A clarification before I ramble on. I was out of the quarantine period and had no flu like symptoms. After two follow up calls  the state lost interest in me. And in case you are concerned, I am still alive,  although at times I wonder, “ Ye jeena bhi koi jeena hai lallu.”

For most of us the lockdown has meant the end of the life we knew.  Due to various reasons, NOT including my advancing age I found myself in the high risk category and  had to stop seeing patients. I was distraught when concerned family and friends took this decision for me. It’s not only monetary, and although I would love to believe so, it’s not even moral. It’s just that like others I feel utterly useless not doing what I do. The self isolation also meant that the house help was on paid leave. So I was left to fend for myself. Initially the zillion little chores around the house left no time for leisure. Now  I have methodically divided my day into mai- time and my time, hence could write this piece!

On the bright side the sky is blue, the sun is sunny and the night sky is starry.  Birds are chirping and peacocks come visiting. People are reviving old hobbies and learning new skills. They are spending more than ‘quality’ time  with their families. The rat race is over, at least temporarily.

Social  distancing has persuaded me to ponder.  I have realised that we don’t need much to survive, we don’t need much to perish either. A tiny virus, that doesn’t have its own DNA, can bring the world to a grinding halt. A few years ago the odd even rule of the Delhi government felt like an encumbrance on our freedom, an impingement on our life style. Two weeks of house arrest and I have inferred that we don’t need to run around so much. Out of necessity more than philanthropy most of us have realised that the well being of every individual matters. We are as strong as the weakest amongst us.

Vasudev kutumbkam is an ancient concept but a tiny inanimate neo- pest explained it best. We are no longer  immune to what happens in far off lands. Our destinies are intertwined and our actions or inactions affect humanity in toto.

Not getting into the relevance of the lockdown I am grateful for the goodness it has unlocked in us.  Countless charities, selfless health workers, tireless police force and law abiding citizens!

The  little crowned one has  forced us to reflect, rethink  and hopefully reset. 

( carried in the Hindustan Times on 20/4/2020)

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48 People reacted on this

  1. True Didi. It has really shown us the way to look forward and change ourself and our behavior towards life.

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    1. Thanks for writing in Namita….I feel if we don’t forget this fear, desperation and helplessness….it will be enough to change us for the better.

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  2. learnt to be minimalistic and have
    become comfortable doing so tooo!! mai time and my time is an apt and excellent expression!!

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    1. I liked the mai time/ my time wordplay too…..it is a time to rethink what we have been doing so far…and steering a better course

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  4. Awesome and well written.Many congratulations.That statement is iconic….we don’t need much to live or die, either.seems like a dialogue from Amitabh Bachhan movies.

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  5. Brilliant article as always… each lines makes so much sense….. “we don’t need much to survive and we don’t need much to perish either!!!…. “” touches you deep…

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  6. Brilliant as always!
    We certainly need little more to be happy provided we are well provided for.
    You almost always make me reflect deeper

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    1. aww thanks for the ” always”…..so do we need a little more than what we have ….or have i misread the minimalistic you

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  7. Great piece of writing.
    You have straight away expressed the current situation in few words, but beautifully.
    Manju, believe me you have excellent ability to communicate. Every word I read here is exactly how I as a person and professional feel right now.

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    1. Thanks Ashish for liking it and feeling likewise. We have had the same input/ teachers from the age 15-25….impressionable time…hamare vichar toh milne hi the

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  9. Hi Manju ma’am

    I was kind of thinking about you and I found you in HT. Take care of yourself. You are a fab writer. Love
    —
    With Regards
    Dr.Rana Preet Gill
    P.A.H.S-1
    Veterinary Officer
    9815557525

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  10. Hope this message of mine finds you in the best of health and spirits. Read your piece today. It made for an interesting read. Best of luck!!

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  12. Read you after a long time. Every thing you have written is true and sounds so apt. But do you think this inner consciousness of all of us will remain there once the world reopens

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    1. I just hope that we don’t forget what we brought upon ourselves….the rest will take care of itself….this experience will certainly change all of us…the important thing is how ….will we emerge scared and meaner or accepting and kinder

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    1. you are so right….we are in a better place than most….and its at times like these that you fully understand this

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  20. Your articles were being missed ,as is evident from the deluge of comments. .
    Am not going to add any more praise to the crisp article.
    But what I additionally read, were all the compliments and your rejoinders. .

    Now do you get it…How big a fan I am of your writing

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    1. Thanks Mitra di, this one is totally because of you….you literally pushed me into writing something….anything!
      Grateful for your interest and time

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  21. Fabulous piece of writing
    You have put words to what we all are feeling
    On one hand nature is recovering on the other hand life is on hold for most of the people
    It’s time for introspection for all of us . We need to appreciate all the service providers who are working tirelessly today and have been doing it forever but their role in our well being have also been taken for granted.

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  22. Great writing as usual. This reset button was necessary for nature to heal and for us to introspect and realize where are we heading. I hope we all learn to be more responsible. And once corona time is over, do not fast forward the button. Waiting for your next……

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  23. “….well being of every individual matters….we are as strong as the weakest amongst us……..,being grateful to lockdown for what it has unlocked in us………, zillion little chores…Mai time and My time “ ….seems to be discovered by many but. stated by you Dr Manju Gupta….Thanks for giving words to our sillent notes…,Wish you all the best

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  24. Great Read, Manju! Reminds me of one couplet from the great Saint Kabir- साईं इतना दीजिए, जा में कुटुम्ब समाये
    मैं भी भूखा न रहूँ, साधु न भूखा जाए!
    Need to follow great Indian Wisdom to lead a life of contentment.
    Stay safe.

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