Elsa Lycias Joel hand picks opinions and suggestions from people belonging to various walks of life on the present crisis that confronts us. Diverse views and suggestions with love and hope as the touchstone is a must and good read. Celebrating people with different yet strong opinions is the spirit of democracy which as good as the freedom of the press.
LIFE AT TIMES OF A PANDEMIC
BY RT.REV.DR. A.R. CHELLIAH
As I stay put during this time of great peril many questions replay in my mind. Why did this pandemic take place? Who is responsible for this? How would it affect our relationship, with our family, the Church and society at large? Will there be social unrest? How to balance work and life?
History records that pandemic diseases are not new. However, people have been affected, tragically, whenever they occur. In the present scenario we are able to comprehend the extent of the tragedy through television and other media. We continue to brood over and panic as thousands fall prey to the virus. World Health Organization statistics inform us that so far more than 19,00,000 people have been infected and the deaths have crossed 1,25,000 due to COVID-19, and the numbers are increasing every day. India is also facing a very grim situation. From what is reported, by the media, more than 300 people have lost their lives. Further, it is not clear on how it would impact our economy and whether we would be able to withstand the same. Several daily wage earners and migrant labourers have been directly hit and the same may affect other sectors also leading to gross unemployment all over India.
While I laud the efforts of all those engaged in fighting the virus, it is also heartrending to see that they are unable to be with their families. Their selfless act has to be appreciated since they must be under severe mental agony and fear of contracting the disease themselves.
We are not to remain careless with the “ Not me but you” idea, but stand on His promises and be watchful. Therefore, it is but prudent to obey the instructions of the government and practice social-distancing and healthy habits. God is ever merciful and would never wish to see harm befall us. Let not the fear of being affected by COVID-19 plague our hearts. During these perilous times I pray to God to shower us with grace and remove us from this darkness because He is the light of this world!
Rt.Rev.Dr. A.R. Chelliah
M.A, B.D, M.Th, D.Min.
Bishop, C.S.I. Kanyakumari Diocese
The Alliance Française de Madras
AT YOUR SERVICES FOR LANGUAGE COURSE
BY BRUNO PLASSE
The Alliance Française de Madras is a Franco-Indian Cultural Centre and a school of language. Every year about 3,500 people, from Kids to Seniors, enroll any of our 5 levels of French Class and get exposed or trained to an international Language in our Chennai, Coimbatore or Trichy branches in Tamil Nadu. About 40 trained and highly qualified Teachers take them from scrap to expertise. We arrange about 50 cultural events in a year, from performing Arts such as theatre or Music and dance, to lecture, exhibitions or performances to highlight French and Indian Cultures, a beautiful blend of both. We run a multimedia Library with online facilities and screen cinemas every week.
The Covid-19 crisis left us in a tight spot to restructure our activities in accordance with the present demands and needs. Live cultural activities and projects have been postponed and all our French language classes are conducted online so that learning and teaching happen uninterrupted. Alliance Française network of 14 Centres in India is using My Alliance online platform for already 2 years where Students can log in to find activities, chat with their teachers and classmates, upload essays, voice recordings and videos that can be evaluated by teachers. Online enrollments begin shortly from 27/04/2020. Anybody with a fascination to learn French may log in to af-madras.org.
The personal touch and real-time interactions we miss as AF family and our Heritage Bungalow look deserted minus the lively students, teachers, artistes and guests. We are keeping our fingers crossed to get back to our regular buoyant routine. Through these times, having gained enough experience with live interactive online classes and training, distant learning offer is on our cards for working people.
Since many students feel the financial pinch they have requested us to reschedule their timetable after the lockdown is lifted so that they can work overtime to make up for the loss they suffer these days.
Bruno Plasse,
Director, Alliance Francaise of Madras, Chennai Bruno Plasse
Director, Alliance Francaise of Madras, Chennai
THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ENVIRONMENTALIST
BY DR.R.S.LAL MOHAN
We as the human beings have destroyed the delicate equilibrium of the earth and punctured the ozone layers. This process is going on unchecked for almost 100 years by the so called developed nations also.
The virulence of corona virus seems to be high in the developed countries. If we look at the geomorphology of the world, African countries have been less affected. In India we continue to clear forests and remove habitat in the disguise of developments. Along with habitat loss, shifting climate zones are causing wildlife to migrate to new places increasing the risk of diseases being transmitted from animals to humans.
The big cities of America has the maximum impact of corona virus playing a havoc in the economy of the country with the climate of these countries being congenial to the survival of corona virus. According to WHO by reducing the environmental and social risk factors people are exposed to, nearly a quarter of the global health burden could be prevented.
Rather than clapping hands or lighting candles, we must understand the life cycle of a virus, detection and elimination. Burning candles produce nothing but more carbondioxide.
Public health is a political choice too. Transiting to a more resilient, zero-carbon, just and healthier future will aid our survival
COVID-19 is another monster arising from our collision with nature.
Dr.R.S.Lal Mohan
President,
Conservation of Nature Trust, 43c, Water Tank Road,
Nagercoil-1.
DOCTORS EMERGING AS HEROES
BY. DR. DANIEL DEVAPRASATH
Lockdown period is to prevent the disease spread and it doesn’t mean the virus will be eradicated during this period. Even after the lockdown is lifted, it’s mandatory for one and all to follow the social distancing rules religiously. A vaccine to this virus is probably a more distant dream. If at all people who live alone go through anxiety and stress during this period, they must find ways to wriggle out because these two can affect the immune system. Any kind of uncertainty makes us want to figure things out, but it is just an illusion. So whatever you may go through at this time, feel confident and self-assured that this is just another phase that will go through.
In spite of hardships of different intensities, I see doctors emerging as heroes. Sanitation workers and police personnel risking it all as frontline soldiers in the war against COVID19 need our empathy more than anything. Let’s learn to regard them more in the light of what they do than what they don’t. Since people are dependent on media-news/ social, it is the responsibility of the media to educate people on the do’s/ don’ts, myths/facts so that nobody is shamed in life/death only because one has contracted a virus. As doctors, healthcare and sanitary workers work tirelessly and try not to be discouraged, let us all be careful about not doing or saying anything that might hurt the real life heroes of today. It is no news that medical professionals are taking an enormous risk not just for themselves but for their entire families. What makes news in the country is the unavailability of PPEs and respiratory masks. Chaotic and crowded settings won’t contribute anything to flatten the curve. So, we have a separate fever clinic area, away from the main hospital with trained staff manning it. In spite of aggressive testing, none has been tested positive in our hospital so far. Sad truth is that the number of qualified trained doctors cannot be increased in the short-run. In and around Kanyakumari district I notice paramedical workers being trained to conduct less skill-intensive tasks to take some of the load off the trained doctors. Every day I see my colleagues trying to balance their obligations as professionals with their duties as husbands, wives, parents and children and I grope for words of gratitude and encouragement. Anybody will agree on the fact that limitations on professional duties are nothing new. Never assume that our professional obligations are unconditional because society can’t be absolved of it is responsibilities and governments of their shortsighted policies.
Dr. Daniel Devaprasath Jeyasekharan
Urologist, Dr. Jeyasekharan Hospital & Nursing Home
ENSURE CARE OF THE BPL WITH COMFORTABLE AND CLEAN SHELTERS
BY DR.ANAND PETER
By the patterns and trends seen so far, the real surge of Covid 19 hasn’t yet hit India. And so, by the grace of God, we have this window to prepare ourselves for battle. Cases are sporadic and are seeding from embers flying out from hotspots around the world. We are duty-bound to identify these infernos and the exposed, diseased and the immune, unscathed survivors for any hope of containment. This window should not be squandered as it was in the West. Covid seems to spread faster in cooler climate.
The spread of Covid 19 in the summer might be slower but will continue. This precious time should be used to prepare the food supply logistics and ensure care of the BPL with comfortable and clean shelters. A community tailored approach should be used, with guiding principles outlined by the state and central government. The government has rightly identified government and private hospitals for the care of patients with Covid 19. They need to go a step further and set up block wise triage centers for patients suspected with Covid 19- perhaps the neighborhood schools. Most hospitals are congested, and physical distancing cannot be practiced. Patients are showing up with minor respiratory illnesses to see their trusted doctor for antibiotics and reassurance. These small hospital and clinics can become Covid 19 reservoirs. Patients therefore would be better off calling their doctors office and get triaged into areas that can provide physical distancing. Educational institutions can perhaps conduct classes online and for students that have no access to the internet 13 TV channels can have classes during the day covering from kindergarten to 12th standard. In nuclear families one parent might have to stay home to supervise. The other parent can be involved in getting the society back to the New Normal, whatever form that takes. Remember, winter is coming!
LIFE HAPPENS, ZUMBA HELPS
BY ABDUL
Zumba strongly proves that it is socially and ethically responsible during this COVID crisis. Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN) around the world continues their felicific duties by offering Virtual Zumba classes to fitness lovers. While medical professionals combat COVID by reminding us all about the importance of social distancing, ZINs have taken the penultimate responsibility of caring for our mental health. They are making sure people stay healthy, physically and emotionally, during this testing phase! They spread beatific smiles and cheer in families through spirited cadence. Zumba has promptly launched ZIN Studio to facilitate virtual classes, and 2020 annual ZIN Convention is going to be virtual to make continuous learning opportunities available for all the instructors. Moreover, Zumba community always sprinkles the world with its benevolence; and ZINs are holding fundraisers for COVID relief. I am proud to partake in spreading love, positivity, and humanity!
Abdul
Zumba Education Specialist, Tamil Nadu
HALLMARK OF THE LIVING WORLD IS THAT THINGS GROW AND CHANGE AND HEAL.
BY S.VALLABHAN
Undoubtedly, Covid- 19 has brought radical changes in our mindset and way of life. As far as students are concerned, they seem to understand everything being taught in a new perspective. For instance, students don’t comprehend lessons on world war-II and its aftermath and the consequences of fission bomb used in Japan thou they absorb facts. The present crisis is an experiential learning process in itself. Teaching faculty is exploring all possible platforms available on the internet to transform the experiences of online learning. It wasn’t long ago when online teaching ideas received lukewarm response from all quarters. Also, I can’t overlook the merits of personal bonding that helps the teacher and the taught in conventional methods of teaching.
Freedom is redefined nowadays giving one and all an idea of what liberty means in the real sense. Isolation has had a positive impact on relationships creating the foundations for better communication and reconnecting with family members. Relationships are researched and better understood. Enjoying nature’s unrelenting beauty has kept people sane. Many of our activities are currently constrained, socializing with others is constrained, but outside our windows there is so much life, colour and beauty to soak in. The global situation may degenerate from bad to worst causing economies to crash. But let’s not grow anxious and bitter. I urge all teachers and students to remember that a hallmark of the living world is that things grow and change and heal. To deal with troubled days and disturbing developments we must turn to our creator for comfort and sustenance and grounding.
This pandemic sends a strong message to mankind to make him ponder over the status of fallen world from the ideal one which was created in the beginning.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it”
S.Vallabhan
Principal
Kendriya Vidayalaya ,Anna Nagar
Chennai
