CORONA is not a laughing matter – The lighter side – 17

CORONA is not a laughing matter – The lighter side – 17

The D-day of May 3, when the lockdown is scheduled to be lifted, is approach near, if situation remains under control. Let us hope for the best. But it goes without saying that it is going to be long drawn fight. The WHO and other authorities have already cautioned the international community in this regard. Our governments, both at the centre and those of the states, are not oblivious of the situation. We are preparing for the graded lifting of lockdown and rightly so. The responsibility of common people like us increases many fold in such conditions. We are to be self-disciplined. I am told in Scandinavian   countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway etc. follow an advisory lockdown to fight the virus and people are cooperative as responsible citizens. We are to learn from them for own benefit. The consultative culture even at the political level is a must to handle emergencies. It is good that PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to have a meeting with CMs again on April 27 to discuss the situation. Today again, even at the cost of repetition, I am sorry to mention that electronic media is till indulging in creating vicious atmosphere both by discussing unduly the communal issues and also injecting politics by bringing in uncalled references to the

opposition. It should immediately stop. The silver lining in the situation is that  President Donald Trump gas indicated that the scientists were about to develop the much need vaccination of the deadly virus. Let us hope for the better. Yesterday, I named Dr. Mohit Chander, my own nephew, as a frontline warrior. Today one of my friends Prem Shant informed me, while referring to the improved situation in Nawansehar District of Punjab that their daughter Dr. Neena Dhanda and her husband Dr. Dawinder Dhanda were posted at the Civil Hospital of Nawansehar and were fully engaged in fighting the virus head-on. It was gratifying to see our young children were doing their best and contributing positively in the run up to wellbeing of the society.

Let us turn to the lighter side of the situation. People are sitting at home without work and income in the lockdown. My friend Pooja Khanna has shared what a Panda/Pandit told her a couple of months ago:

ਜਨਵਰੀ ਚ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਥ ਵਿਖਾਇਆ ਸੀ ਕਹਿੰਦਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਸਮਾਂ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਟੱਬਰ ਵਹਿਲੇ ਬਹਿ ਕੇ ਖਾਉਗੇ .

WhatsApp has made life easy but some people are also fed up of the unending messages and advice not to step out of the house. Someone wrote in the Facebook:

लॉक डाउन में घर से बाहर नही निकलने के मुझे इतने मैसेज आ चुके है कि...
जैसे ये कोरोना मैं ही फैला रहा हूँ!

One of my diplomat colleagues, Amarjeet shared the meaning of Quarantine with reference to often repeated narration as to how we all are scared of our ladies/wives.

अभी अभी एक दोस्त ने हिंदी भाषा में quarantine का मतलब समझाया ।

जैसे

शुक्ला की शुक्लाईन

ठाकुर की ठकुराइन

पंडित की पंडिताइन होती है

ऐसे ही कोरोना की कोरोनटाइन होती है ।

इसीलिए करोना कोरोनटाइन से डरता है और कुछ नहीं कर पाता है।

Hanste Raho Mitro – Let us hope for the best.

Mein Nahin Sandesh Swarag Ka Laya;

Is Bhootal Ko Hi Swarag Banane Aya