Lessons From Corona, with Love❤

I remember not very long ago, lads in my hostel and everywhere around mocking and teasing each other with remarks like “Bhai Corona ho Gaya Hai” (Bro it must be corona!) to anybody who complained of a fever or cold. It seemed fun back then. Maybe because it was only in the news then and that too on the other side of our north-eastern border. As if it were never going to reach us. We took it for granted - that we are safe. Others’ problems are always looked in this manner, isn’t it? 
But nature doesn’t need visas and passports to cross political borders. In no time, it was everywhere. It reached us and all the fun turned into fear. But is it the case with corona only? We see nasty things happening around us everyday- accidents, deaths, bullying, shaming, depression, failures and the list goes on and on. It’s funny how we assume that it is not going to happen to us ever. We are just so over-optimistic in this regard. Well carrying an always-worried attitude is definitely not a right way of living but the point I want to make here is that we take things for granted, sometimes too much of them. It’s time we take a break and mould our attitudes a bit… a bit! That won’t be too much!

So, here are some things we must learn from this pandemic that it has taught us in a harsh way and emerge out not only victorious but also as better human beings once this pandemic gets under control.

                 Art copyright ©Shruti Arora

·         Be Compassionate: Next time you see anyone suffering from anything you think you won’t ever suffer from, help that person out, be it to any degree – even an offer of help heals sometimes. Don’t be indifferent, be compassionate. We live together- let’s see everything with a caring eye.
Remember sharing is caring. Do share your resources with the needy. If you are rushing for hoarding a lot of eatables (like it happened in Germany), slow down a little, you might be causing problems for someone. Just realise how bluntly human beings have been reminded of their place in this world. You can’t live alone. You need everyone’s service and in turn owe service to everyone.
Rights with the duties, period!

·         Do it today: That one plan that always gets postponed, don’t delay it next time. You may never get the second chance. Be it your cancelling out on your fun outings, working out the new hobby, the book you always wanted to read, that one sorry you owe to someone, don’t wait for the right time to come. Develop this do it today attitude.
How many have lost their friends? How many plans will never materialise, ever? How many sorries might have been left unsaid?
I know you have got work and pressure from all sides but if you are cancelling out on your special moments all the time, what are you even working for? Take a break, the world won’t stop anyway.  

·         Let the planet live: We have seen endless campaigns at national and international levels for the protection of environment and mother earth. It’s time we take a hard note from this pandemic and develop a general sense of responsibility towards our planet. Otherwise, it is very much conspicuous how fatal it can be. Not throwing garbage on the roads will be a good habit to start from. It is not that not throwing garbage on the road will solve all the environmental problems but when you take such one step it creates a certain sense of consciousness towards nature and there starts a chain reaction of such events. Mother earth is ill. Let’s take care of her as sensible children.

As we are locked up in our homes now, let’s just appreciate the fact that we are with our loved ones. Let’s also appreciate the fact that there are people out there away from their loved ones working selflessly for the global good. We have got a chance to spend some time with our family, do it cheerfully for you might never get such privilege again. Talk to each other in person, no virtual screens can replace the charm of physical presence. and if you are talking to your friends and family on video calls (in case they are away from you), just realise the importance of presence. We have in this world lost regards for the person sitting next to us. The glam-up virtual world seems so glorious to us that we often fail to recognise the importance of ones who are with us always. So, you might boast of having 1000 friends on Facebook (I don’t know if anybody uses that app now), take care of the ones who sit next to you. People don’t cross seven seas to meet their loved ones for nothing. Physical presence makes the huge difference. Ain’t you missing some hugs? Well I am…!!!

Finally, I would just say that whenever humankind faces a challenge, the only thing that matters is how gracefully we emerge out of it. These times demand the same thing. Don’t be that stupid fellow out on street for nothing with careless attitude.

Remember there is no ‘I’ in the team. We as humans fight together and win together. Let’s take a vow to act more sensibly and responsibly to counter this virus.

©MANJUL JAGOTRA

For more beautiful sketches and paintings,you can reach Artist Shruti Arora at her Instagram handle. Click Shruti Arora to reach her. 

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