COVID 19 has forced us to adapt our opinions, revise our beliefs and change our behaviour. Thou, a vaccine will be the ultimate weapon against COVID 19, voices of hope will help people build resilience. Elsa Lycias Joel connects with a handful to get their opinion on how core values is essential to boost confidence and feelings of security in these times. In fact we are constantly exposed to a steady flow of opinions and advice and these opinions carry a subtle message that strengthens the determination of everyone to pitch in and take care of each other. Well, the better we can cope, the better we shall manage this crisis.
NO CHALLENGE THAT CANNOT BE OVERCOME WITH PERSEVERANCE
JAYASHRI
The corona epidemic and the lockdown that ensued it has made an unprecedented impact on education sector, not only in India, but throughout the world. If social distancing is going to be the norm for a few more months, then the schools are not going to be opened in a hurry. The online teaching has come to stay and it is time for not only the teachers and the students but also the parents to rise up to the challenge. But there is no challenge that cannot be overcome with perseverance.
As the saying goes, change is the only constant factor in life and to keep pace with that change in the field of education, we need to equip and prepare ourselves mentally and technologically. Let us stay positive and be thankful for the varied avenues that have been thrown open to us for teaching and learning during difficult times. But I do miss my students, their smiles and everything about them. Nothing comes close to face-to-face interaction.
Jayashri , TGT (Eng), Kendriya Vidyalaya, Anna Nagar. Chennai
INDIA’S FASCIST REGIME
LEENA MANIMEKALAI
This is the only country whose government is hunting activists and not the virus. Eminent Intellectuals, Journalists and Student Activists were charged with anti-terror law and sent to jail.
Why such a hurry to arrest Anand Teltumbde, Gautam Navlakha, Masrat Zahra, Peerzada Ashiq, Gowhar Geelani, Meeran Haider, Safoora Zargar and Umar Khalid amidst a massive health crisis?
India’s fascist regime effectively used a pandemic to eliminate the anti-CAA, pro-democracy protests and ended the dissent post Delhi 2020 Pogrom. The rapid erosion of democracy under the guise of the fight against Covid19 is in full gear while we are all under lockdown. While it is just an extended lockdown for Kashmir that was already under a siege since its semi-autonomous state got revoked eight months ago. Is this the lockdown to an epidemic or to a democracy? Shouldn’t the government be handling crushing economy, poverty, hunger, migrant labour, loss of jobs, medical facilities and infra-structure instead?
Leena Manimekalai,Poet-Filmmaker
LET’S LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER AND NOT GIVE UP.
SURESH MENON
First and foremost, do not put your confidence in governments. Expect only what they can deliver and we have had enough, haven’t we? This is definitely not the time to be anxious about the declining ethics in government, their failures and promises, misplaced priorities and a widening gap between the rich and the poor. The world coming to a standstill doesn’t surprise me. Love for neighbours, the less fortunate and unknown makes me believe in humanity. Nothing has stopped the film maker in me because I know the positive impacts a documentary can make. With all the resources I’m blessed with I play my humble role.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret”
Like minded friends are many. So when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Goodness prevails amid deafening cries of agony and loss. Hats off to health care personnel who take the biggest risks with all their hearts. It’s natural for humans to be angry and lost as they fight battles of isolation and insecurity. In addition to “Stay home” and “Wash your hands” messages, spread messages of hope and comfort. Hope is a beautiful thing- excuse the cliche. Of late I find myself taking comfort in that faint glow. It has become a habit, a state of mind or it’s just faith in goodness. Whatever, people are supposed to have a lot of it right now.
Let’s look out for each other and not give up.
Suresh Menon, Film Maker
HELP AND LIFT PEOPLE AND ABOVE ALL UTTER WORDS OF HOPE.
SATADRU MAHAPATRA
Let’s agree on one thing. We didn’t see it coming. It has indeed come like a tsunami, though more invisibly creating great trouble, void and irreversible damages to our lives like we’ve never seen before. A few days back we saw and heard it on our televisions. Then we didn’t think or imagine we were next in line. That’s how pandemics are! Sometimes, we are not left with enough time and choices to deal with these kinds of emergencies. Well, this is not the first time! Pandemics are not-so-frequent yet an absolutely normal phenomena in the history of mankind. Our ancestors dealt with them and so do we. No wonder humans are still a selfish race not giving priorities to things which might affect our planet, a species as a whole. We usually tend to look for short term benefits rather than permanent solutions. COVID19 has taught us lessons and given us nightmares horrifying enough for people belonging to all walks of life to focus everything on protecting lives. Governments channelize resources towards real, everyday issues rather than creating stuff needed to destroy one another. In some sense, those of us who will survive this pandemic has a big responsibility. To teach kids to love, create and help them believe living a healthy, whole life makes sense more than everything. My heart goes out to all doctors and healthcare workers out there who put their lives on the line to fight the invisible enemy.
Service to Man
Is service to God ~ Swami Vivekananda
My earnest appeal to all health care personnel is to follow CDC Guidelines properly while donning and doffing PPE. As for me ICU has become my second home. Fighting the virus alone isn’t the only ordeal but also the emotions and tears as we succeed and fail in saving lives.
I go on and on believing all storms will cease and sun will shine bright. And when our rainbow finally arrives we shall celebrate life.
During this period of lockdown be continually inspired by nature, never be anxious, reach out and down to help and lift people and above all utter words of hope.
Dr. Satadru Mahapatra, is a Kolkata based critical care medical officer
LET’S MEDITATE EARNESTLY FOR THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES IN WHICH WE LIVE
REV. GODSON SAMUEL
Religion is the way of hope in distress and not an instrument of hate or divisiveness, In these difficult times, we realize our privileges and pay heed to our calling. Encouraging the careworn, depressed and overwearied is my calling. As people go through fear and anxiety I consider it my bounden duty to not only pray for them and console them but also be benevolent and unselfish in character. When people lose hope I try my best to reveal God’s love in big and small ways I could. Everywhere there are hearts crying out for many things which they have not. Restoration is all the world needs. There is no limit to the resourcefulness of one who puts self aside and makes room for the working of his/her conscience and lives a life consecrated to one’s own faith and hope. So, let’s meditate earnestly for the understanding of the times in which we live and for a conception of the purpose of our lives.
Rev. Godson Samuel,Pastor, St. Paul’s Tamil Methodist Church,Aarey milk colony, Mumbai Governments of their shortsighted policies.
DO NOT SINK WITH THESE TRYING TIMES. LET OUR SONGS LIFT EACH OTHER UP.
C.GIRINANDH
We the band OXYGEN has been doing a lot of original contents to keep the people entertained during this lockdown. We keep ourselves busy with writing songs ,virtual recordings and preparing the video audio content.
This lockdown has given us an opportunity to learn more things than ever and to upgrade our skills. So we have decided to start a jam series called COVID JAM Sessions , where we also collaborate with other musicians and singers. It’s all about perspectives and creativity coming together as a great unifying force. If anything, this has showed us how precious the opportunity is to come together and share our passions. Getting together with a purpose gives us faith that no matter what happens to the economy, and despite the opportunities lost, music isn’t going anywhere. True to it’s name our band is indispensable for all times.
To all music lovers and musicians, I would like to say that with music life would be no mistake. Experienced singers know that there’s no point in dwelling over a bad note- so do not sink with these trying times. Let our songs lift each other up.
Hope it all ends soon and we could get back on stage to perform for a cause. Nice and easy!
C.Girinandh, Founder of OXYGEN & AURA STUDIOS
ENSURE CARE OF THE BPL WITH COMFORTABLE AND CLEAN SHELTERS
BABU KRISHNAMOORTHY
Financial State of the Union of India – Covid 19 Special 25 th April 2020 India is currently grappling with the Key dilemma of whether it needs to save lives or livelihood. Either way people are going to die.. in one ( Covid 19 related one) not all but the weak ones will die swiftly and democratically ( across all classes, castes and Religions).. and in the other the death will be slow and painful, and impact the poor the most, due to lack of livelihood opportunities due to the death of many Small & Medium Industries in the wake of the prolonged Lockdown due to the Pandemic. It is tough place to be for the decision maker. God Bless him.
Needless to say the Pandemic has destroyed Economics as we know it. With an absolute stoppage to commerce and Industry, we are likely continue to witness the mayhem in the stock markets and in others spheres relating to finance as we
have never seen. Already Stock markets have corrected down by over 30 % since their peak in early January 2020. Also the Credit markets are witnessing unprecedented liquidity crunch.
Next two years will be a painful reconstruction of the economy, and in the meantime the stock market based investments and Fixed Deposits of Investors will be tested for their faith and patience. Our recommendation is to stay invested in good investments and Keep cash handy as there would be needs in the next 12 months whether you are an employee or an entrepreneur.
We have won the battle against Corona Virus ( by staying alive), we now need to win the war ( save the economy) so that we emerge out of this in a better place.
Babu Krishnamoorthy,Author, Speaker, Financial Sherpa, babu.k.moorthy@gmail.com
SARS COVID 19 OR CORONA VIRUS A PANDEMIC CURSE
SATISH NARIANI
I would like to keep my view in simple words today,Earth is healing itself so wait, 2020 is just a year for staying alive, No Dreams No Plans just stay Safe,
This pandemic disease had made the world on stop at once and taught to all of us that we are not above the nature, we may have achieved the Mars but we are not capable to cope up with an Tiny Invisible Virus.
Today Entire world including the super power are losing hopes and waiting for some miracle to happen so this pandemic situation comes in control.
I personally feel that this is not the time to blame each other, but we all have to come together and understand the priority of the circumstances, Social Distancing and self quarantine is Must to keep every individual safe by itself.
In India we all are Indians and this is not the time to discriminate against each other on basis of caste and religion, Every human life is the most valuable asset today.
Lockdown is not the solution but it’s like a pause button, once u leave the pause button it will start streaming again.
This is not the time to criticise any authorities beacuse everyone is trying its best to control this problem.
My suggestion to Government will be to upgrade all the hospitalization on priority basis and also invest the maximum in health sectors to cope up this pandemic situation and the most essential priority to arrange the maximum good quality Testing Kits because the only solution to this problem is to Test the maximum people and see that it reaches to every small towns and villages, so we can actually understand where this virus is spreading out, so can be easier to control it.
Today Doctors, Health workers , police officials, administrations they are doing the utmost best for our society to save us from this pandemic crisis.
We should respect each and everyone who is standing out for us. One Last advice from my heart to the entire human race;
Be Kind to Each other
Maintain Social Distance
Stay home
Be Safe
We still have long to GO !!
Satish Nariani,Youth Leader, NCP
