A fortnight has passed since the clamping of the lock down pan India. Despite the initial doubts as to how an effective lock down - keeping the people of India within the confines of their homes - could ever be successfully enforced, we went about it in a very positive way.
Let me go through some of my personal experiences, the sights that I saw and the stories that I heard to understand how the days had passed!
* * *
Our Chevy that was badly mauled by an auto rickshaw followed by a tourist taxi the next day, was handed over to the service station to effect immediate repairs the day after our arrival from Kochi. The heart sinking sight of the badly mauled vehicle was too much for me! But about three days into the repairs, the lock down had been put in place and the car is now parked in the shop floor of the service station. A spare is yet to arrive from Pune and I suppose, the readied car will be available to me only a week after the lifting of the lock down.
* * *
My neighbour wanted to terminate the daily drop of his newspapers, as he was cautioned by a friend of his, that the newspapers carry a lot of contamination while being handled at the last-point distribution area from where the newspaper boys collect their share. However much I tried to tell him that the newspaper boy would lose his commission, he would hear nothing of it and I'd to do the dirty job of telling Ramakrishnan who wondered aloud as to why they were doing it and gave me a knowing smile as he caught on. Two days later, our neighbour took back his words after his daughter had spoken to him....he, now collects the newspapers!
If the story were to be believed, Ramakrishnan would have contracted the Corona virus by now. So much about rumour and fear mongering!
* * *
We'd, in the meanwhile, got two new maids - Suma and Jaya - to assist Lekha with the household chores. While Jaya had told Lekha that she would resume work after the lock down was lifted, Suma had pleaded to allow her to come for work everyday. She had the following reasons:-
(a) Her daughter's marriage is scheduled in September. She's collecting money to pay off the
debts.
(b) A hard worker, she hates sitting idle at home. Moreover she, has her sister-in-law to help at
home.
(c) She says that she can't take wages without working - such people are turning out to be rare.
For Lekha, her coming for work everyday is a great boon and she stays pretty close to us. It definitely is a matter of taking risks but we hope that the three of us will not contract any illness.
* * *
Meanwhile, the Foundation was able to put in its mite to help about 250 migrant labourers with shelter and food through fast action and contacting, as well as cajoling, people in the corridors of power. Also the NGO, that I'm part of, has been distributing masks made in a few of our production units by the women-self-help groups, under guidance by the health authorities and the police. The masks and hand washing disinfectants are being provided to the people at ration shops and market places where bunching is a possibility. A grocery kit of rice, pulses and essential items have also been distributed to the poor
* * *
And in nearby circles here in Thrissur, a story has been in circulation that a guy - a hideous one at that - is on the prowl at nights, generally frightening people at random. The police are on the look out for the mischief maker.
* * *
Have been able to catch up on my reading and we've been seeing a host of our favourite old movies in English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. And yes, the phone has been instrumental in connecting up with many of our friends and relatives to exchange ideas/laugh over past events or jokes. Our exercising leaves much to be desired - a half an hour to 45' regimen that includes a short walk within the house followed by floor exercises and a bit of yoga have become a daily routine, both in the morning and in the evening. In the evenings, Lekha waters the plants and I give her company and help her with the shifting of the water hose from time to time.
The lock down has, indeed, thrown up a lot of unforeseen opportunities! Dunno what's in store for us in the coming days!! A mundane yet disciplined life, of course, where timings are followed to the minute!!!
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready on time.
Let me go through some of my personal experiences, the sights that I saw and the stories that I heard to understand how the days had passed!
* * *
Our Chevy that was badly mauled by an auto rickshaw followed by a tourist taxi the next day, was handed over to the service station to effect immediate repairs the day after our arrival from Kochi. The heart sinking sight of the badly mauled vehicle was too much for me! But about three days into the repairs, the lock down had been put in place and the car is now parked in the shop floor of the service station. A spare is yet to arrive from Pune and I suppose, the readied car will be available to me only a week after the lifting of the lock down.
* * *
My neighbour wanted to terminate the daily drop of his newspapers, as he was cautioned by a friend of his, that the newspapers carry a lot of contamination while being handled at the last-point distribution area from where the newspaper boys collect their share. However much I tried to tell him that the newspaper boy would lose his commission, he would hear nothing of it and I'd to do the dirty job of telling Ramakrishnan who wondered aloud as to why they were doing it and gave me a knowing smile as he caught on. Two days later, our neighbour took back his words after his daughter had spoken to him....he, now collects the newspapers!
If the story were to be believed, Ramakrishnan would have contracted the Corona virus by now. So much about rumour and fear mongering!
* * *
We'd, in the meanwhile, got two new maids - Suma and Jaya - to assist Lekha with the household chores. While Jaya had told Lekha that she would resume work after the lock down was lifted, Suma had pleaded to allow her to come for work everyday. She had the following reasons:-
(a) Her daughter's marriage is scheduled in September. She's collecting money to pay off the
debts.
(b) A hard worker, she hates sitting idle at home. Moreover she, has her sister-in-law to help at
home.
(c) She says that she can't take wages without working - such people are turning out to be rare.
For Lekha, her coming for work everyday is a great boon and she stays pretty close to us. It definitely is a matter of taking risks but we hope that the three of us will not contract any illness.
* * *
Meanwhile, the Foundation was able to put in its mite to help about 250 migrant labourers with shelter and food through fast action and contacting, as well as cajoling, people in the corridors of power. Also the NGO, that I'm part of, has been distributing masks made in a few of our production units by the women-self-help groups, under guidance by the health authorities and the police. The masks and hand washing disinfectants are being provided to the people at ration shops and market places where bunching is a possibility. A grocery kit of rice, pulses and essential items have also been distributed to the poor
* * *
And in nearby circles here in Thrissur, a story has been in circulation that a guy - a hideous one at that - is on the prowl at nights, generally frightening people at random. The police are on the look out for the mischief maker.
* * *
Have been able to catch up on my reading and we've been seeing a host of our favourite old movies in English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. And yes, the phone has been instrumental in connecting up with many of our friends and relatives to exchange ideas/laugh over past events or jokes. Our exercising leaves much to be desired - a half an hour to 45' regimen that includes a short walk within the house followed by floor exercises and a bit of yoga have become a daily routine, both in the morning and in the evening. In the evenings, Lekha waters the plants and I give her company and help her with the shifting of the water hose from time to time.
The lock down has, indeed, thrown up a lot of unforeseen opportunities! Dunno what's in store for us in the coming days!! A mundane yet disciplined life, of course, where timings are followed to the minute!!!
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready on time.
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