The Silver Lining

One day, early last year, out of curiosity I googled the meaning of my name and found a new meaning — Silver. I knew Rupa the form, beautiful and the likes but Silver was new and interesting. It has nothing to do with the title of the blog 😄

Without further ado, let’s jump right in :)

Last year 2020, we faced the deadliest pandemic of our generation. Major or minor, the world at large is still facing the consequences. Statistically speaking, In India. reported Covid cases are 10.4 Million where the recovered cases are 9.98 Million. Livelihood, health, lives, plans everything went for a toss. While the loss across the Globe is immeasurable, let us look at the Silver Lining.

Last year this time, early January, we only heard of Covid in China and how quickly they built a hospital for all the patients. Mid February, we saw it spread across the Globe making its way in India. From a panic struck building evacuation in Hyderabad, to people partying, infecting people all around, we had phases in terms of acceptance. Come Mid March, the biggest lockdown started, the population of 1.3 Billion people we stand still. Soon a one day lockdown was effective till end of May in most parts of the country.

Few Key and quick review of 2020

• All the Indians were evacuated from different parts of the world.
• The Dialer tone always reminded each one about the precautions. It helps not so Tech-savvy and social media savvy people to know about the situation.
• Medical Kits and grocery kits were provided to the needy.
• People went back to their hometowns and working from there since
• Nature Flourished without our intervention. Humans, just by stepping back, did a World of good. Himalayas were seen, Turtles flocked our shore, Wildlife came out looking for us, Peacocks were dancing on (once upon a time busy) Mumbai roads.
• Poeple looked out for vulnerable sections. The elderly were taken care. Children were kept away from infections.
• The Front line workers did a fantastic job by going all the way and helped us in smooth lockdown.
• The Doctors and medical team tirelessly worked in service of humanity. Their efforts are heroic.
• The Police officials patrolled every nook and corner and made sure the lockdown was maintained.
• No Pollution whatsoever. No industrial pollution, no water pollution, no traffic, sound pollution, plastic pollution. About 17% drop in carbon emissons but according to experts it is just a drop in the ocean.
• 120 Million Migrant workers moved to their hometowns but hardly anywhere rural population got effected by virus. This speaks volumes about the food they consume and their lifestyle. Urban Population was (is?) more susceptible to virus than the rural population.
• A Complete and extended summer vacation for everyone and not just children. Grandparents, parents, children everyone together at home for a very long time.
• No Trains, Flights, local travel, malls, shopping, movies. Low key yet very effective and enjoyable lockdown( for most)
• No Schools, Colleges, universities. All the Teaching turned Digital (for those who could access and afford).

To each, their own. It did effect everyone in one way or the other. I cannot miss how we had one blow after the other. The locusts attack, gas explosions, floods (even in Hyderabad 😳). With one of the highest population, we, just like China, contained the Virus quiet effectively.

As I kid, I remember Abdul Kalam’s Vision of Lead India 2020. Over the years, people (might have) forgot the mission and vision of Abdul Kalam’s 2020 but as a kid and even during the growing years I always looked upto 2020. We imagined a changed and grown up India, imagined we would have flying cars by 2020. We might not be far away from flying cars but a molecule (less than half a gram cumulatively) has brought the world on a stand still. During the lockdown, none of our future plans, travel plans mattered.

Jaan Hain Toh Jahaan Hain — It was very much important to be alive.

People became even more responsible and took care of their well-being and others. Now that things are slowly opening up atleast in India, we must remember these lessons.

• Being grateful
• Prioritizing Health
• Being Caring and Nurturing
• Helping Each Other
• Minimalism

I see many people broke the regular patterns and started many new ventures. Since the world is mostly communicating Online, the world is accessible at the click of a button. I have started an Online shopping Studio too 💓 (Navarasa Studio)

Last year this time, we heard the news of Covid in other Nations and assumed it won’t come here. This year again, there is new strain. Let us pray and hope, we don’t invite it. Worse still, don’t allow to be the carriers.

Onwards, upwards and inwards.