Everyone today, barring a few who might have seen wars or famines or riots in their lives, or even suffered on account of having been affected by these catastrophic experiences, is seeing a lot of things for the first time in their lives. Most of us have not been affected by the Emergency or the anti-Sikh or Gujarat riots directly or for that matter the economic crisis of 2008-09. The 1971 Bangladesh War to a six-year-old was a time when lights would be switched off in the evening with police loudspeakers ensuring total blackout.
And in less than a month, our lives have changed. We are no longer doing what we would be on a normal working day or even on a Sunday. We are, at the same time, doing what we have never done for many years - clean the car and the house, pick up a book, watched movies on TV or series on Netflix or Amazon Prime, and so much more. Our conversations with friends and family are more intense and lengthy. Forwarding WhatsApp messages is a new service we have taken upon ourselves. So that is something we have been doing manifold.
Families are together and so happy, even if a wee bit more worried. We had this scenario, which kept changing over the past week, of what our work-life should be. Wives of friends were in conversation with each other over how Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) was not shutting down promptly to save our lives. Despite having scaled down its operations, BSP is still running almost at 60% capacity owing to process constraints. While many friends understand that, others refuse to buy the argument. And their better halves haven't even considered the possibility of a deal on what according to them is non-negotiable.
Another challenge we had was that of loss of trust. With some non-essential services being asked to shut-down partially and 50% non-executives in these areas asked to 'work from home' alternate weeks, there was a hue and cry from the plant area. This I believe was avoidable. And in my present vocation, it has been flagged as a key priority for the future, when things start getting back to normal.
Getting people back on their feet with same tempo and fostering trust will be a key thrust area. Suggestions are welcome on that front.
But we are all in it for the long haul. The governments - both at the Centre and in the states have put in place an excellent isolation / quarantine as well as tracking system. All departments and agencies are working in unison, aware as they are of the gravity of the situation. At the same time, we have seen how there are variables beyond our control or imagination which crop up to queer the pitch. The sudden lockdown, for instance, has resulted in migrants hurrying back home and state governments have taken at least three days to respond. These could be potential carriers of coronavirus.
The cost of the pandemic is bound to leave us struggling for years. There is hardly any country that hasn't been impacted. A lot of public money and resources are being pumped in to sustain an exposed healthcare system. For containment, these resources are required. But how will economies survive in the long run, with no one having the capacity to enhance demand? May be we can go back to the barter system.
Sport, by its very nature, has been international, more so after the proliferation of leagues like IPL. Stoppage of all sports activities means my favourite Indian cricketers are getting a much needed rest. I have always found the IPL a tamasha full of financial interests. Else who plays cricket in the open in 45 degree Celsius temperatures for two months?
At current estimates, it would take at least three months to get back to normalcy. Till then keep going back to your favourite movies, net-series, books, hobbies, and did I forget, washing utensils (only for males0 to keep our better halves happy. Let all males not forget, they have an additional burden to cater to when we are home.
And in less than a month, our lives have changed. We are no longer doing what we would be on a normal working day or even on a Sunday. We are, at the same time, doing what we have never done for many years - clean the car and the house, pick up a book, watched movies on TV or series on Netflix or Amazon Prime, and so much more. Our conversations with friends and family are more intense and lengthy. Forwarding WhatsApp messages is a new service we have taken upon ourselves. So that is something we have been doing manifold.
Families are together and so happy, even if a wee bit more worried. We had this scenario, which kept changing over the past week, of what our work-life should be. Wives of friends were in conversation with each other over how Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) was not shutting down promptly to save our lives. Despite having scaled down its operations, BSP is still running almost at 60% capacity owing to process constraints. While many friends understand that, others refuse to buy the argument. And their better halves haven't even considered the possibility of a deal on what according to them is non-negotiable.
Another challenge we had was that of loss of trust. With some non-essential services being asked to shut-down partially and 50% non-executives in these areas asked to 'work from home' alternate weeks, there was a hue and cry from the plant area. This I believe was avoidable. And in my present vocation, it has been flagged as a key priority for the future, when things start getting back to normal.
Getting people back on their feet with same tempo and fostering trust will be a key thrust area. Suggestions are welcome on that front.
But we are all in it for the long haul. The governments - both at the Centre and in the states have put in place an excellent isolation / quarantine as well as tracking system. All departments and agencies are working in unison, aware as they are of the gravity of the situation. At the same time, we have seen how there are variables beyond our control or imagination which crop up to queer the pitch. The sudden lockdown, for instance, has resulted in migrants hurrying back home and state governments have taken at least three days to respond. These could be potential carriers of coronavirus.
The cost of the pandemic is bound to leave us struggling for years. There is hardly any country that hasn't been impacted. A lot of public money and resources are being pumped in to sustain an exposed healthcare system. For containment, these resources are required. But how will economies survive in the long run, with no one having the capacity to enhance demand? May be we can go back to the barter system.
Sport, by its very nature, has been international, more so after the proliferation of leagues like IPL. Stoppage of all sports activities means my favourite Indian cricketers are getting a much needed rest. I have always found the IPL a tamasha full of financial interests. Else who plays cricket in the open in 45 degree Celsius temperatures for two months?
At current estimates, it would take at least three months to get back to normalcy. Till then keep going back to your favourite movies, net-series, books, hobbies, and did I forget, washing utensils (only for males0 to keep our better halves happy. Let all males not forget, they have an additional burden to cater to when we are home.
