Lock Down !!!

Today, 14 April 2020.
The supposedly last day of 21 Days nationwide lock down due to corona virus spread. The pandemic had scared the entire world, how can we be an exception.

India announced 21 days of lock down supposed to be ending on 14-April-2020. Rightly so. The count of infected people and death due to this deadly virus has refused to come down ever since it began. The whole world was shaken to the core. Your mind goes numb to know so many deaths around the world. People for little fault of their own are paying a huge price. Seems so unfair.

For me it has been times mixed with anxiety, despair, frustration, sadness, gratitude that I am really lucky to stay indoors. I never imagined times like these where entire nation is shut down and I will not be able to get out of my house. And I sincerely hope and pray that, it is the only time I will be going through this.

My company asked everyone to work from home since 16-March-2020. To start with it was surreal experience because there was no travelling through the crazy traffic and mad rushing crowd. Work was also continuing at its own pace. It was not keeping me busy for the entire day. But few mails, few phone calls, few zoom meetings used to occupy the day.  But let me honestly put what I felt during this period.

First few positives

• I was able to spend time with kids, wife and parents. I had never ever spent this much of time with them. Playing board games, card games and all other kind of in-house sports with kiddos is a great reliever. I consider it as a blessing. Thank God!
• To spend time with my wife by simply chit chatting the whole day. Listening to her and providing little help in her daily chores was a great feeling.  She was equally happy!
• Was able to work from home with my laptop and all the necessary software loaded on it. Company like most others have extended their full support to carry out the work from home. It is an absolute privilege to work without getting out of home. Lucky!
• My society complex made life lot easier during this phase by ensuring the supply of groceries, vegetables, fruits and daily essentials including mobile ATM. All these from authorized sources. I did not have to step out even once outside my society complex. Unbelievable!
• I had enough of resources in terms of phone, television, YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, Other internet sources and many wonderful books to ensure I spend time on those. Wow!
• To chat with friends and family was another great feeling. Many a times over the video calls and phone calls was really a feeling of happiness. Nice!

Not so positives

• Staying locked inside your house with the dear ones is not an easy job. You enjoy the company but then after a while it gets so monotonous. You feel like how can you break this monotony. But then you realize there is no other way. So just stay put!
• Not allowed to go outside even for a walk, jog, exercise or for daily necessities you feel like trapped in a golden cage. That feeling actually gets worse as you think more and more about it. You ask yourself "Why?" but then again you realize its only for your good. Just suck it up!
• Unnecessary forwards on WhatsApp, Televisions and other types of Media covering the corona news 24*7 actually not helping in any ways. It's one thing to get knowledge about world and its happenings through these mediums but getting bombarded with sad, scary and negative stories all along day and night is not helping at all. It's like a race to sensationalize every piece of news. They are actually killing the spirit of it. Not sure by when and how are they going to improve on this, but improve they MUST!
• Listening to struggles of many other not-so-fortunate people who are striving for many things including daily meals and basic necessities to live. So sad!

Times like these make me realize , I take so many things for granted. There are so many assumptions I make. There are so many things which I feel I am entitled to and I am so wrong. 

I am so fortunate to have comfort of my home, my family, my food and everything that is making life comfortable even in these uncomfortable days. All I have to ensure is I keep myself at home and keep myself healthy. But we must and we will get through these tough times by following the laid down guidelines. 

As I write this, there is an announcement from PM of India that lock down is extended till 03-May-2020. So buckle up for another ride full of same feelings and make sure I implement the lessons learnt from the recent experience. 

Isn't it all about improving on daily basis? Sounds so easy!