India as We Know Today

The world as we know it today is living in the mid of a crisis. A crisis that has questioned the existence of humans who were advancing fast towards development but suddenly, they are thrown into a condition where they have to rethink survival. Till last month we struggled to find animals in the jungle as they would hide in the woods for their survival and today, we are hearing the stories of them reclaiming their lands as tables have turned and humans going into hiding inside their homes.

When I think deep, I feel like nature is retaliating or perhaps teaching us a lesson that we had forgotten. A lot of things we assumed as our fundamental rights like breathing fresh air and enjoying travel are taken away from us. Even the things we're so confident about like the capacities to earn our living and having sufficient resources needed for survival are now not just the concern of poor but even people like me.

Till yesterday, all I had to worry about was the professional growth, learning, and future of my kid. But today, I even have to think if my family will be among that 75 % whom the experts are claiming would get affected by the Coronavirus. Despite precautions, I now have developed a fear and I am unsure if all around me including my family and friends will make it through. Till last month, eating out was my nature and now I am even afraid of going out for the grocery. Its been almost 2 weeks since I have seen the street.

The only contact I have today with the real physical world outside is my window. And yet, I can't see human soon soul walking when I peek outside. But I do hear the chirping birds that give me an assurance that the world still has the same beauty as before. And now, I also have time to enjoy those small things that I took for granted earlier – the playtime with my kid and the bonding conversations with my family. I felt a pang of guilt for why I did not give enough time to those who mattered. Now, with the conditions outside, I fear for them and worry for them. Earlier, ‘take care’ were only the formal words I would use as a tradition but today, every time I am talking to my family and friends, I say the same words with deep concern in my heart. I keep checking for all my friends while sitting at home because I want them to be fine. I heard a few cases of COVID-19 reported near my near and that got me worried.

I have my virtual digital window and various gadgets that help me connect with others and stay updated with who is alive, who is suffering, and who is dying. TV which I rarely watched earlier has now become a daily ritual and as it shows me people in pain, crushed together in the hope to find a way to go back home because their future looks dark and hopeless, I feel sad and helpless. I could see the struggle of the government and of people who were queued outside at the stations and bus stops to find ways to go back home. At first, I felt how stupid they were and that their actions could put millions into danger. But then I could sense their pain as I saw no faith in their eyes on our governance. And the fear is justified because never before were they taken care of by the government or the society in any way. All we are worried about is our survival and our health. We watch the news, see them in pain and even carry sympathy but we have no real empathy nor the intentions to help.

But between this hopelessness, I saw a spark in the eyes of my wonderful sister who was willing to extend some help to those in need. She suggested we donated some money to people for their ration. She called a superstore and offered some money which she would pay for any poor who wanted to take ration from the shop. At first, I was concerned about the duration of the lockdown and if it was a wise move in the condition which is not very pink even for us and thus, did not agree with her. But then she said, “I know we are not enjoying abundance but at the same time, we are better off than many and if we can help, we should”.

I felt ashamed of not thinking the same way and for showing selfishness while what I should have was instantly agree and contribute. I was more worried because of my own account which was bleeding. But then, I wonder, if everyone enjoying affluence or at least some level of financial security agreed in this way to extend a small helping with a few thousand diverted to the cause, maybe we could ease the pain of those losing faith. Why would they run back to their homes if they were assured that their survival is not threatened because there are people to take care of.

It is the testing time for humanity and the test of our spirits. Can we be generous enough even in small ways to reach out to those in need? When we go to movies, we spend at least Rs. 700 in a single day considering the cost of tickets and travel. All that money is getting saved today and thus, can be used for a good cause. With that amount, a whole family can purchase a ration for at least 10 days. If everyone contributed a small amount that they already wasted for a few hours of leisure, many lives could be still saved.

So, it is an appeal from my side that we must not depend totally on the government to ease the pains of those in pain and come out to help because the people we are talking about are not just the people of the government but also ours. They all are humans. They are Indians. They are our people and not just numbers as we see on our screens as affected or dead.

Should we still have excuses to not help our people? The small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect that will help millions and the world will remember that Indians were always together and did not sit back when their nation was troubled. We got our freedom more than 70 years back because of the older generation that was willing to make the big sacrifices. And now, when the land is our hand, why are we not willing to do small sacrifices that would hardly even touch us?

Some of you may have worries about your own safety. We too have, which is why we are depending on technologies like mobile-based payments and online transfers to shopkeepers to take care of the expenses. And if you are wondering if you should because you yourself have financial limitations, remember that

First, you are still much better off than many

Second, it takes nothing when you are just spilling the drop from an ocean to help but when you have a small amount already and from it, you give away some. That is real generosity, real heroism, real humanity.

and third, you could have been affected by the virus but if you are not, you are lucky because God or nature, whatever is your belief, saved you and now it is time that you save others.

They would not need you when resources are plenty but when they are nearly empty.

Let there be no excuse to stop you from saving the lives of your own people and let us do our bit in the most testing times. It is very sad that despite the knowledge that going out can kill, thousands of people including weak elderly people and little children are out on the streets.

Let us promise them that they would not die of hunger if they stayed.

Let us give them the assurance that we care.

Let us give them hope.

#covid #coronavirus #india #help #crisis