Octogenarian's diary in COVID times

As I was contemplating on going back home in Guwahati from New Delhi after completing a routine health checkup in March 2020 the first nationwide lockdown was clamped with only 4-hour notice. Little was my apprehension that the same would get longer and longer forcing me to continue stay in this costly city indefinitely. Even after 5 months uncertain is my travel back home where I left my spouse, who too, like me is quite old and have health-related issues. The only silver lining in my case, unlike those of poor and unfortunate migrant labourers and sundry workers, is that I have someone dear to look after me without which I would have been completely at sea in such an old age. One thing often puzzles me - when Assam's Hemanta Biswa Sarma could venture a shorter lockdown period with 36 hours why cannot the PM give a week or so to the country before enforcing such a move? Neither I'm questioning anybody's wisdom nor do I have the audacity to do so. Under the circumstances there are no options left for me but to accept the situation and move on as destiny dictates.

There however slowly emerged a positive side effect out of my unanticipated 'exile'. This lengthy period of over 150 days under tender care of my daughter and her family taught me many a useful lesson day by day helping me to rediscover myself at this age. A huge gain indeed and I've learnt to avoid disturbing tension, anxiety, grief, anger, hatred and so on. A sense of love, compassion, empathy, humility has slowly developed in me towards fellow human beings, particularly the distressed section, plants, animals, birds etc. The rejuvenating nature all around with blossoming plants, trees, flowers, rivers flowing with clean water and very importantly a docile, never before Delhi summer heralded a 'new normal' situation. I wish erring mankind finds its real atma (soul) and pledge not to play havoc with the Mother Nature again. At this fag end of my existence on earth I derive valuable experience to cope up with unforeseen future throughout the rest of my life. I fear nothing, not even the pandemic or whatever. I shall be happy if my story can help someone in distress.

P K Phookan,

New Delhi