COVID-19: NAAM TOH SUNA HOGA.

A novel coronavirus is a new strain of Coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. This particular disease is called as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). To decrease the impact and extend of this disease our Government felt the compulsion to go for the countrywide immediate lockdown. And from 23-03-2020 our Prime Minister initiated the fight against this COVIDovid-19 rife, following the successful implementation of The Janta Curfew (dated 22^nd March 2020).

Though many of our Countrymen were Hearing this term for the very first time the term was not unknown for the residents of JAMMU KASHMIR. As a native of the state, where terrorism has led to disturbance of peace, it's obvious to experience the state-imposed lockdowns and curfews (kyu ki Jammu-Kashmir me aaye din lockdown hota rehta tha). We have become habitual to curfews due to such disturbances in our State But never experienced any lockdown due to the disturbance created by the pandemic.

In the initial days of COVID-19 spread in India, I came to know that COVID-19 was way too threatening and the first Victim of this pandemic was CHINA, who was consequently forced to implement the lockdown in the country.

I felt like, “It is possible to provide security against other ills", but not in this ill.

I said to myself that,” Rameshwar as far as death is concerned, from now you are going to get Peaky in size with zero Protection, So count your demise." But I kept on boosting myself with a famous thought that ‘we shall overcome someday’. As we all know this lockdown preceded by COVID-19 is for the betterment of society so, there's only one thing to do: spend the days at your respective places; where ever you are; for months till the fight gets over. If you'll ask anybody about my nature or habits then you will know about the free and independent life of which I’m a part. You might have heard that “Some birds are not meant to be caged", I'm one of that Bird. A hosteler from last 13 years and this might be another reason which eventually made very tough for me to keep myself restricted from pursuing my habits and not allowing to go out of the house. Honestly speaking though I kept boosting myself in the initial days, still, I felt trapped in. But as we know bad times don't last much, with the passage of time now I feel like I have embraced this habit of staying home with a peaceful mind. As the demand of the faculty is clear that, to brawl against COVID-19 we have to remain at one place and maintain physical distancing so that we become the part of the fight against COVID-19.This fight is a chain, comprising of us all; is made for curbing the spread and avoid unnecessarily gathering. Though it's very hard to stay inside our homes as the way I'm living in, still, I'm optimistic about everything that follows. The lockdown is still active and the time spent during the lockdown has already enlightened me with some LIFE LASTING LESSONS and these motivate me to Pen down and share my observations with you.

SELF OBSERVATION-

I’ll start from the most important Change I observed in myself due to this lockdown. We humans have Enormous Power to deal with any situation once we decide to face it. Like many others, I was also indifferent about this before, but this lockdown gave me very strong reasons to believe the above saying. As I already mentioned that I'm a person who loves to digest daily food withholding light Debates on the daily Politics with friends in groups and keep myself busy by roaming here and there, Just for fun sake. But now I can feel the immense patience, and the potential to keep myself quiet for months that too in a defined boundary. So this is the first impact of the lockdown which I observed, SELF-REALIZATION/ACTUALIZATION.

SOCIETY

The other thing which hit my mind during this time is awareness regarding the variety of People in living in my society. Some are too ‘Egocentric’ with the particulars, they hold, live their lives in their own world and when it comes for the humanity sake of sacrifice. They are like “If you are going through hell, keep going.” They appear to me as a sick bunch of people, who are unaware of the social world where human chain exists( interdependently). They are only self-concerned and keep themselves busy in I, ME & MINE.

The other ones are, who desire a change and wish for the betterment of Society but hold a meager role in the chain of development in the society. But the Optimism I found here is, they are standing on the very first step of journey making them lead towards the chain of human development. I can say this because I feel “Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.”

Now the third type of people, whom I'll call the heroes of our society as per my observations. And they are also the sole reason why I'm telling you about the variety of people in my society. According to me, our society is holding tons of such special and kind-hearted people. In fact, they may be called as Champions of humanity, who might possess less in their pockets but have the willingness and selflessness to donate that less amount too, when it comes on the betterment of the society.

One fine day, I was having some sundry conversation with one of the labourers, a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh temporary residing here in my society. I was told that he donated the food and the money from his two year’s savings, which he kept for some special purpose, to some of the Needy ones during these days of lockdown. He even said that ‘he's ready to serve the country with any kind of help as nation demands'. I found these words to be quite powerful. Don’t you agree? They have so much impact on us and I personally felt that. Seriously I saw the honesty in his eyes and his eagerness to make the nation strong. I was like WOW!  Such HUMANS too exist. Be blessed with more HUMANITY. A labourer family who, by their clothes might not seem Elegant but they possessed pure soul inside.

"Elegance in their humanity". At that moment my heart made me cherish their humanity and I thought regarding the labourer that “He does not have a soul, He's a soul". It made me realize that sometimes the best things are right in front of you; it just takes some time to see them.

 Honestly, I was filled with the euphoria. If they are desirous towards the advancement then why not me; I should also work with the same enthusiasm towards the advancement of society. Positive vibes were all that I could feel at that time and "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement". I wish people like him be blessed with more power for such novel changes.

MEDIA-

During this lockdown, I also felt that gone are the times when NEWS CHANNELS and the media (of all kinds) were considered as the fourth pillar of our Esteemed Democracy but now they are slowly degrading their importance for the sake of rising in TRP and FAME. If this TRP and fame is the only goal of such pseudo Media then why are they revered as the fourth pillar of democracy? Why shouldn't they be called CHANNEL Darted by the actors paid in the light of Powerful humans for the sake of their Evil promotion of Power.

Independent news and Liberal thoughts just seem to be endangered in the clutches of present-day media and fake propagandas. Sick thoughts and evil mentalities are being promoted through the paid Journalists who anchor these NEWS channels. Dignity and Liberty seem to be lost in the shadow of Power. I must say it's very important and need of the hour to protect the fourth pillar's Liberty. "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty".

Fake propagandas will only push HUMANITY in Danger. It should be stopped and I wish with the passage of time, Urgency and need to stop such fake journalism comes to an end.  So that the fourth pillar of our Democracy can independently perform their respective duties in true sense. One short Conclusion from the above observations is, "If a person has any doubt in regards to his/her life then lockdown can turn to be the best time for self-introspection". Such lockdown can introduce you with the hidden Powers within yourself and I promise, once you are aware of those then "No-one can separate you from your worthy-Soul".

ALARMING STRIKE-

This Covid-19 gave me a beautiful realization that, "Man cannot possess anything as long as he fears death. But to him who does not fear it, everything belongs. If there was no suffering, man would not know his limits, would not know himself".

So you must keep the spirit to face the tasks provided by our beloved Nature till you make the best of the Opportunities performed by you.

You keep on saying this within you that GOOD, BETTER, BEST. Never let it Rest. Till your good is BETTER and BETTER BECOMES BEST. At the end I pray from the core of my heart that each and everyone be blessed with the power to fight against COVID-19

STAY STRONG AND STAY HEALTHY.

RAMESHWAR SINGH THAKUR

The author is pursuing B.A.LL.B from University of Jammu.