Footprints of Week 1 of the lockdown

From a time where we have no time and life is moving so fast to suddenly emergency brakes having ben applied and the train had stopped at a station midway. It was a paradigm shift of sorts and these unprecedented times required out of the ordinary ways of killing/using time that was available at hand.

Before the lockdown was announced the corona, the problem seemed to be distant as it was in other parts of the world and suddenly it was on our doorstep. Janta curfew for 22nd march was announced by Hon'ble PM on 19th duly bringing out the gravity of the situation. It was also announced that there would be a one-week lockdown till the 31st of March. There were instructions to reduce the non-core workforce and permit people to work from home. The first thing I did was to send all the sports crew of railway and private personnel and my PA and peon to work from home. Perhaps the most sensible decision for them as well as for others since all of them came from outside the campus. I rushed to D mart to bring in all the essentials and also to the vegetable market. I also downloaded the big basket app and ordered stuff just to check its efficacy.

I realized that one week is a good enough time to mold oneself and make new habits. I started a few things during this time and each provided a life lesson:

1.  I started chatting with my old friends and relatives. I started wishing close friends by calling them on their birthdays and for others writing comments on their Facebook posts. As they say, do unto others as you want them to do to you. It also made me feel thankful for the life well spent in the company of good mates. We need to show gratitude for all the lovely things in life, but first, we should start noticing how lucky we are. Connecting with others gives us a sense of inclusion, connection, interaction, safety, and community so find time for things that matter.

2.  The ritual of standing in the balcony and making some noise to show gratitude to the front-line staff had a positive influence. Seeing everyone do the same showed that we were all quite similar in spite of all our differences. Many heroes also emerged in the Railways and sharing their posts gave me a sense of pride in my organization. Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results…

3.   Havan or prayer at 7 PM is something we decided to start regularly for these days. The prayer was very soothing and destressing and helped us formulate a routine as there was something to look forward to. My son too joined in and it was nice to share my childhood memories with him of our Sunday prayers. I was reminded of the Doha:

???? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ? ????

?? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ?

Prayer is simply a two-way conversation with the almighty and gives you faith and hope.

4.  We had been contemplating trying out online classes at the Academy for a long time. This bandh simply speeded the process. Within a day we had mastered Zoom and could conduct our sessions from home. I was even to do case studies. Whatever the resistance had gone and new ideas started coming in. Resistance to change is more painful than the change itself.

 5.  I watched movies at home. I got to know what my kids liked and saw contagion and Parasite with them. The bonding improves as you give more time to others and are willing to accept new things.

6.  I used google forms on what innovative measures we can take as Indian Railways during corona times, the idea was that the officers start to think innovatively rather than feel helpless in their rooms. Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity and not a threat.

7.  I realized that the peacocks would be hungry as their supply of food provided by a bird lover would be finishing. We all decided to contribute and get the supplies for them. After all, they are active members of the Academy. In the corona times, the nature was telling us, humans, to slow down. We need to reflect and listen with empathy.

8.  Cooking was something I had not done very seriously for a long time so I made a dish a day and this helped to kill time, learn the trade and also get some compliments from the family. My son was motivated and he too tried to cook. A recipe has no soul, as the cook, you bring soul to the recipe. Your intention is what matters.

9.  I made it a point to call my parents once a day as they were quite lonely and helpless. I connected them to the local volunteers in the Resident Welfare Association in Delhi and also shared some numbers of online delivery services so that they could get their supplies without having to go out. We are too busy growing old and often forget that our parents too are. Parents and all old people only want our time and nothing else and give us all their blessings in return.

 10.               My friend in Ranchi administration wanted help on making sanitizers and I connected him to some willing railway people. This set me thinking as to how IR can help the civil administration during the crisis as we have a lot of talented people in our workshops. I floated the idea in the IRSME group and had a lukewarm response. However soon the ideas took shape and people started thinking and soon each shop was chipping in. In life things are not as difficult as they appear, we need to take the plunge.

11.               I tried yoga in the morning whenever my wife did. The idea was to build immunity. If you are not fit you cannot take care of others. I also started skipping, something I used to enjoy doing in my school days. I got Zoom yoga classes started in the morning for the trainees. Any kind of exercise is good and progress takes place outside the comfort zone.

12.               My gas cylinder would run out any day and so found the delivery agent's number and got the delivery even when I had received a message regarding the cancellation of my order. Where there is a will there is away.

13.               The induction program was already extended by a week and if we could have virtual classes so could the other training institutes. This would help to keep the training schedule of the probationers on track even after the extended duration of training at NAIR. I suggested and hopefully, something will happen. Meanwhile, I have organized classes for them by connecting them to the best officers in the field. Either you moan and groan or take charge, I preferred the latter.

14.               I had been procrastinating for a long time but took up to practicing with the manual mode on my Nikon 3100. Tried shots after manipulating the aperture, ISO and shutter speed. It will require a lot of practice still. Life will keep sending you the same lesson until you face it and learn.

The week has been well spent and I look forward to the next to contribute positively to others. Hard times teach us valuable lessons. We should remember that every struggle in our life has shaped us and made us what we are- fit and positive to deal with the next. Have faith in yourself and in God.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author. Comments and suggestions are appreciated.

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