ODE TO CORONA- 10 years later

Still loud and clear, the voice of the freighted nation’s king

Speaking his heart to the people…..

                  Corona will impact less- if we mix less, go out less

New terms fogged the air with this-

                  Social distancing, quarantine, divided we stand united we fall

And above all THE HISTORIC JANATA CURFEW followed by series of                                                                                   lockdowns

The world witnessed in amazement

                                    Yes everyone was taken aback in admiration

HOW? HOW THIS HAPPENED?

The day’s youth as being accused of often disrespecting

                                     Parents and teachers and elders;

Just a request from the king in TV

And all, yes all - kids, youths, adults and olds

         Locked themselves inside the house for 14 hours.

Silence prevailed, roads empty, shops closed

As if the world went a deep sleep the whole of

         22nd March’20 – a historical day to perish forever.

Oh Lord, what days were these?

                                               People feared to meet, hug, touch and kiss

ONLY FEAR EVERYWHERE…………

                                                                                     A SUDDEN NOTICE,

A DISTRACTION FROM THE SITUATION CAME UP AS A BRIGHT RAY

IT IS SPRING…. The season of loving nature

How happy and fearlessly the flowers, birds and bugs

                  Danced and kissed and hugged!

They know no CORONA no COVID 2019.

So what? If International and interstate flights and trains ceased.

         The rivers, winds, birds and all creatures of nature

                  Did not restrict their foreign tours.

The Nature gave hope of cure

The Nature reminded “If winter comes can spring be far behind?”

The Nature reminded to be positive

The Nature reminded our childhood rules-

                                     Washing hands and feet after coming from play

                                     Keeping shoes outside the door

                                     Taking bath of ladies before cooking

                                     The shankh dhwani at dusk and so many more

With a feeling of pride India embraced the world acknowledging

                                     NAMASTE OVER HAND SHAKE

BUT 3 months passed and with each day new counts of positive cases

                                                               new deaths, lockdowns of cities

Prayers only weapon, jokes to lighten the hearts, social media-time pass.

Work from home…. Video conferencing exploded everywhere

AND THEN suddenly one fine morning………………….

BREAKING NEWS: CORONA VIRUS HAS SUDDENLY VANISHED

All news channels, all social media flooded….

         NO MORE THREAT, THE VIRUS LEFT THE WORLD

One hour: Still silence, no reaction, no comments, May be joke or mistake.

Two hours: The government officials, the doctors confirms the news

Three hours: IT IS TRUE! Incredible truth!

         Woooooo what a sight! Old, youths, kids running out towards the streets… Singing, laughing aloud, tears of relief, meeting friends, hugging enemies even. A festival, hmm the only festival involving all humans around the globe without any discrimination.

The global chorus as never before sung so in the same tune

         WE ARE SAFE……

REST IN PEACE THE UNFORTUNATE BROTHERS AND SISTERS…

Today after 10 years, sitting at the balcony of my one room apartment, remembering all those pains, doubts, fears, gratitudes, reliefs and THANK CORONA for teaching us to be united and helping us to spread love for humanity, reminding us to follow simple living habits with strong mental strength, arousing beliefs in us that every dark night is succeeded by a bright day.

THANK YOU CORONA FOR REMINDING US THAT WE ALL ARE ONLY HUMAN BEINGS

                            FIRST WRITE UP BY

DR SSUJATA MAHAN CHAUDARY

INDIA

DATED: 23RD MARCH’20