CORONA is not a laughing matter – The lighter side – 22

CORONA is not a laughing matter – The lighter side – 22

The third phase of lockdown has presented some ground realities in the run up to gradual opening up and lifting of restrictions. It was not exactly unexpected. The migrant workers are eager to go back their homes. Some movement, as organized by the authorities, haves started. It is a matter of pity that governments are not able to meet the expenses on their travel. Media is doing overtime to flag the issue not with the intention of helping the poor but to please their masters and run an agenda. The blame game is resorted to as usual. It is a national emergency. Why the central government is reluctant to undertake the job, at least for the rail travel? It is not understandable. The Railway Minister and PM Narendra Modi must address this irritant immediately. Second, the problems of social distancing and indiscipline at the alcohol shops, opened after 40 days, have created yet another problem. We are to address this issue with understand by keeping aside our usual ‘hypocrisy and double standards’. Some Netas and so called social and spiritual activists are shouting from the roof tops as to why people cannot

live without drinking alcoholic beverages? It is a useless and irrational question. The Thekas – Wine shops should open and function normally with all the requisite restrictions and cautions. The authorities and the shop keepers should ensure smooth sale. People should be permitted to stock up to reasonable quantity, say 6 bottles, to avoid daily visit to the Theka. The things will settle down in a day or so. We should encourage social drinking at home rather than the binge drinking outside. Don’t punish the common man by denying them to be happy in these days of stress and strain. One of my fellow BootanMandian Vari Klair has shared this Punjabi wisdom:

45 ਦਿਨ ਦੇ ਕਰਫਿਊ ਵਿਚ ਇਕ ਵੀ ਮੌਤ ਨਸ਼ੇ ਨਾਲ ਜਾ ਨਸ਼ੇ ਦੀ ਤੋੜ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਈ,ਪਰ ਅੱਜ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਸਾਬਿਤ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਕੇ ਲੋਕ ਨਸ਼ੇ ਬਿਨਾ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦੇ ਆ ਪਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਚਲ ਸਕਦੀ

 I am reminded of an Urdu couplet of Mirza Galib:

Kahan Maikhane Ka Darwaja aur Kahan Bayiz;

Magar Kal Who Jata Tha Ki Hum Nikle.

Anyway, we should not be oblivious of the fact – JAAN Hai To JAAM Hai. Let us be moderate in our drinking habits and the government should not try exploit the situation to replenish their empty coffer rather advise and motivate people to be pragmatic and responsible:

Badanoshi Se Roknewalo Aadmi Fitran Sarabi Hai.

Today, May 5, I stepped out of the complex of my abode at Silver Residency Apartments after 41 days of lockdown to visit the CGHS Wellness Centre for our monthly lot of medicines. Yesterday, I applied, on line, for a Curfew Pass for the purpose. I was gratifying note that the Pass came by e-mail and SMS in an hour. My visit to the CGHS Dispensary was smooth. The frontline warriors there, Dr. Sawinder Singh, Senior Staff Ravinder Kaur and others were cheerful and courteous. Thanks my dear friends at the CGHS. It only showed that the systems were working. We are to be cooperative with patience.  

 Doing justice to the title of this blog, I come to the lighter side of the matter, as usual. 

The lockdown has created a unique scenario at home. One husband, to keep oneself happy, narrated it like this:

इस लॉकडाउन में मेरा बहुत पुराना ख्वाब पुरा हुआ!
मैं पोछा लगा रहा था और पत्नी ने पैर रख दिया!
बस फिर क्या था, मैने बहुत खरी-खोटी सुनाई!
दब के रहने वालों में से नहीं हूँ मैं!

With the opening of Thekas – Wine Outlets, the job of analysts of Corona Virus and its fallout would become easy with the much needed feedback and information as somebody has visualized:

कोरोना का सही इलाज क्या है?
कोरोना इतना क्यों फैल रहा है?
कोरोना के लिए जिम्मेदार कौन?
चीन को कैसे निपटाना है?
इन सब सवालों के जवाब अब आपके निकटतम ठेके पर मिल जायेंगे!

One of friends Prem Shant appears to be not happy with the compulsory mask to fight the corona menace and sent this poetic expression:

**सीख लो अब आँखों से* *मुस्कुराना* ,
*क्योंकि*
*होठों की मुस्कान तो मास्क ने छुपा ली .... !!!*