"Pause for a Cause"

      

“Pause for a cause”

       At the outset, let me wish you a Happy Gudi Padwa, a Hindu New Year. According to the Hindu Calendar  Shaliwahan Shaka, the year 1942 begins today. It is coinciding with the beginning of a 21-day national lock-down across the whole of India. You may wonder, when the Covid-19 pandemic has caused extreme disruptions globally, how can we wish for a happy new year!

       Agreed; things are quite gloomy around us. We are in a very challenging and never-before kind of situation. Here lies the challenge for all of us.  Gudi Padwa is always a time to strengthen your resolve. So today I accept this global challenge of the Covid-19 and resolve to fight it out with all my strength and I am confident that I am going to be victorious in this mission. 

       My confidence is based on many factors. Western countries in Europe, the USA, and some other countries, which are well off in terms of infrastructure, resources, are not able to check the onslaught of the Covid-19. Had these countries taken ‘social distancing’ seriously at stage-2, the growth in geometric progression seen in infections and death toll would have been much less. Taking a clue from their experience, our PM is firmly enforcing lock-down. I have a firm belief in our PM, who is emerging as a global leader. His brilliant idea of ‘Janata Curfew’ i.e. Curfew of the people, by the people for the people on 22nd march 2020, was a huge success. The curfew for 14 hours on Sunday, was like a trial run. It was intended to prepare the public for the 21 days lock-down which was to follow. He emphasized that a ruthless social distancing is the only remedy to arrest the Covid-19 advances at this stage-2 of the spread of the disease in India.

         Is it not very paradoxical that people crave to stay at home when on duty, but are now grumbling when the situation requires them to remain at home! It’s not vacation time, and there is going to be some inconvenience. So what? The thing is, people, in general, are not mentally prepared for it. Some people mocked the ‘Janata Curfew’ not knowing the risk of spread. Therefore, lock-down had to be enforced by law. Imagine the torturous circumstances through which Swatantryaveer Savarkar had to undergo for 10 years in Cellular Jail at Andaman Island, and then for one year in Ratnagiri under house arrest. Lock-down of 21 days is absolutely nothing against the extremely painful confinement of Savarkar. So the so-called ‘inconvenience’ is petty.

       I see a great opportunity in this lock-down for the next 21 days. It is giving us a chance to pause our routine rat race and reflect on areas that were ignored so far. There is a lot of things to do, but such things never get priority as you are always ‘too busy’. In a way, you are on a ‘forced leave’. Giving quality time to your family, or pursuing hobbies like reading, etc. You can always factor in those ‘to do things’. Helping better half in day-to-day household scores such as cleaning etc. By the way, domestic help is also on leave, for the same reason. So, you know, there many things to attend. The negative reporting on TV and Whatsapp forward Messages at times creates more fear than creating awareness. Allaying such fears is also a task.    

     

       We must acknowledge the efforts of Doctors, Police personnel, Armed Forces, Cleaners, Drivers, Pharma Companies, Paramedics, Air Lines, even a small vegetable, milk, grocery vendors, and all those connected with essential services. These people are working very hard and run the risk of infection, for the betterment of our lives.   

          

       This time is not a fun-time. All are sailing in the same boat. The silver lining is, you are not alone, everybody is suffering. Still, the risk of catching up exponential growth persists and hence all these frantic efforts of forced social distancing.

     

       I have made a firm resolution to rise to the occasion and defeat the corona menace, no amount of struggle will pain me. I will strictly follow the guidelines, the precautions prescribed. I take inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. There are many occasions in his life, like, escape from Agra, or the Panhala Fort, or even killing of Afzal Khan. On all these occasions he exhibited exceptional calmness for long periods before executing his plan, which made him successful in his mission. Same way, I am sure of our PM who is capable to lead the fight against Coronavirus and emerge victorious in this fight in days to come. I am a foot soldier in this mission. Today being very auspicious “Gudi Padwa”, whatever resolve we make on this day, it succeeds. We desperately need to come out victoriously in this mission against Coronavirus. The task is herculean, but our resolve is strong enough to tackle it. Are you with me on this mission?

    “Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is achieved ” - Swamy Vivekanand.