What day is today, Friday or Monday?: A Lockdown Impact!

During this lockdown, I often ask to my wife, what is the day today?  Is it Monday or Tuesday? And she gets irritated with me for raising such a silly question. Have the lockdown days made me so forgetful about ordinary things?  On the one hand she looks at me quizzically but on the other hand, she herself asks even more silly questions to me like “What day is today, Friday or Monday? Or what is the date today, 10 or 20?” 

If you have been confusing what day or date it is, you are not alone.  In this lockdown, everybody’s mental clock is only partially functioning or not at all, as many are struggling with the pandemic.  The Covid-19 virus outbreak has rendered calendars somewhat obsolete. As India settles down into its more than 9th week in lockdown, it seems that many of us, particularly those who are working from home, are beginning to lose the track of time and try to go about with a semblance of normality.

For what reason does the lockdown befuddle our feeling of time?  During normal times, our calendar days or weekends and month-ends are dictated by our work.  That means, in our day to day schedule, what we eat, how we dress, when we go to sleep and when we wake up are totally dictated by our work. By routine, we get started with our work on a Monday and knowing that it would be wound up on a Saturday. But during this lockdown, certainly, many of these characteristics of our routine have been lost.

More than a third of the world's populace is now thought to be under some sort of lockdown in a bid to control the spread of the Covid-19 disease. This is especially true for those working-safely-from-homes and who would normally structure their days around their work and work-schedule.

To those experiencing difficulties remembering the date and the day, it is advisable that they organize their life with a little more discipline than other times. Try to wake up at the same time each day, even if you have no work.  Eat normal food  at a specific time and ensure adequate discipline throughout the day by scheduling time for other activities like meditation and physical exercise of one’s choice, not remaining sitting idle for prolonged periods of time.

What makes the Covid 19-times disorientating is that the physical atmosphere looks very normal but we have lost every social anchor that we would normally use.  Also, setting definite goals, and scheduling time to accomplish them besides our other obligations, can help us to structure our days and feel more productive. This will also provide a sense of achievement, something many of us have been probably lacking in these lockdown days! Monday to Friday and in the week-ends live consciously. Give a boost to your inner spirit!

This article published in Metro Varrtha on 31.5.2020

Corona Crisis and the Coronation of Our Lives!

P C  THOMAS

This Article was published in Metro Vaartha, Bhopal, Indore edition on 29.5.2020

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, every one of us faces difficult times in many aspects of life. The deadly corona virus has spread across the globe and made unprecedented health crisis, bringing along with it uncertainty about future, feeling of helplessness, panic, death and economic upheaval. The world has halted more than ever before and many radical changes have taken place in our lives. All these days of lockdown have made us realize how vulnerable we are and how dependent we are on simple things that we usually take for granted.

When we look around the street, we see no gathering of people. Public spaces are now seen with only by essential workers. The Businesses are ebbed, schools have moved to online platforms and the world has reduced in size equal to our homes and nobody knows when the end of the pandemic will come. 

We have seen that many people are suffering physically and mentally due to the fast spreading virus that has already taken so many lives. However, if we try to look forward to the brighter side of everything when we are in bad situations, something is going to change positively in our lives and good things are sure to happen. 

This one disease, COVID 19 can provide us with such wisdom beyond our comprehension revealing to us of how fragile, interconnected we are and how precious our life is…….It  offers a plethora of lessons on a personal, regional and planetary level showing the urgency to promote necessary transformations of our society to survive in the twenty first century.

We are nine-weeks into the massive time-out forced on us by covid19. Many of us have utilized much of that time trying to get used to the drastic change of living standard the virus has brought. But we are now starting to think about the last part of the crisis, and what the world will look like and what will be our attitude to life after this crisis.

The endemic has resulted in what is productively the largest safe-work-from-home experiment ever performed in human history. People are accessing more educational resources online for their children exploring unconventional ways to connect with colleagues, friends and family. 

As governments make significant interventions in response to the Covid crisis, businesses are promptly adjusting to the changing needs of their people, their clients and suppliers, while steering up the financial and functional challenges. With every industry, operation and logistics affected, the amount of prospective changes to think through can be daunting. 

This crisis also allows us to find additional meaning in our lives. Little things surprisingly become very important.  Also, helping out others, especially in our immediate community and the larger community of those in need, elevates our own mood. 

Although the Covid time affects our emotions, memories, feelings and perspectives, it should help us to transform our vision of life for better and to develop our character. A crisis like this teaches us lessons we would not learn when things are pleasant.

We are the sum of the experiences that we have gathered as we go through life. As human beings, when we encounter a challenge, we have the liberty to respond to it as we think right. Every decision that we make leads us down a different road.

We can also boost our resilience, which is our single best weapon for dealing with stress, by being grateful for things we do have, and not focusing on what we do not. Even if those difficult moments seem to break us, we have an incredible strength that can move us forward. Although there are many unforeseen transformations are brought into our lifestyle, we can use this time more effectively and the crisis can be changed into an opportunity to better the quality of our life!. Indeed an opportunity for private victories! Our personal coronations of life!

Making Fervent appeal ‘to Covid’

P C  THOMAS

Covid-19, you are making your mysterious journey still around the world, and as a result we have an exceptional, historical and critical year and continued to Stay-safe-at-Home with the fourth phase extension of lockdown to keep ourselves from the attack.

You know, in a span of a few months, you have become the media's fancy, the world's biggest celebrity, and fought within the human race drastically in the world. We learn, you posses no specific languages, caste or creed. Being purely secular, you can communicate anybody regardless of gender disparity - the rich, the mighty, the senior, junior, layman. No society is spared whether national or regional or local.

In the modern world, we have doubted whether power is great or money is, but we have learnt now that these are not at all great compared to your devastating effects. We have seen various tsunamis, torrents, floods, droughts, fires and epidemics, but they were constrained to certain places and the rest of the life went on normal. But on the contrary, you now dominate all over the world killing peoples mercilessly!.

With your free entry to the world, without even a passport/visa, the world is now going through a horrible moment with intense health problems, financial crisis and mental imbalance. The normal existence of people has defected horribly and the defect was affected effective way of human life.  The life seems an endless series of problems - Vehicles became airless, petrol dried, ration finished and people became lonely and disconnected.

We know that you have the talent to live like a ghost and can rob life and health of people as there is no definite cure for your infection, no vaccine discovered.  We implore you Corona let us know when you will stop your terrorism?

Good hygiene practices help reduce the virus spread

Even this Covid times, it is seen that many people have the habit of spitting anywhere and everywhere, while walking or driving their vehicles

P C  THOMAS

India, currently under fourth stage lockdown, is fighting back against COVID-19 breaking the chain of transmission to prevent the attack. The fourth phase of ‘Stay safe at home’ intends to protect ourselves from the spread COVID-19. This Covid times categorically proved that it is impossible to live in the world without proper social hygiene and discipline.

During this lockdown, one day when there was no cash in my hand, I had to go to my nearest ATM to take out money, wearing mask and keeping hand sanitizers in pocket. On the way, one guy who drove fast in front of me spitted on the road, and his mouth liquid splashed in my hand. I think, perhaps he may not be the one who live in this novel corona world. 

Even this Covid times, it is seen that many people have the habit of spitting anywhere and everywhere, while walking or driving their vehicles. We must, however, identify that the safety of others is essential to our own safety.  The Covid-19 has taught us that people can succeed in this resistance only by stripping down their life.

The Union Health Ministry has recently asked all states to prohibit the use and spitting of smokeless tobacco in public places to avert the spread of the Covid-19. The ministry said that the chewing smokeless tobacco products, paan masala etc increase the production of saliva followed by a very strong urge to spit. In the light of the above, the MP government has banned spitting in public places to contain further of the deadly COVID-19 infection. The government decided to slap a penalty of Rs.1000 on those who are found violating the ban by spitting in public places.  Wearing face mask has also been made mandatory for the people in the state.

While the virus outbreak is a serious public health concern, we need to give up many of our negative social habits and styles that are wreaking havoc on our health and move into a new culture of wearing masks always without spitting on roads so as to ensure our personal hygiene, optimal health and a sense of social well-being.  If we go out wearing mask habitually, there would be less inclination to spit. Experts point out that if we are healthy we only need to wear a mask even when we are taking care of a person with suspected Covid-19 infection. Therefore, masks can now be an indispensable part of future life, in addition to all safety steps to reduce virus infections. In essence, we need to become new people who are symbolic of vigilance, care and hygiene to fight against the common enemy of Covid-19.

Let this lockdown not lock your spirit down

P C  THOMAS

The entire world is facing one of the greatest challenges the human history has ever faced through the spread of Corona virus. All over the world there are lockdowns. It is an unprecedented experience for many people during this lockdown period due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Almost everybody is passing through a critical juncture in their lives and finding it difficult to cope with the sudden change in their lifestyle. Staying safe at home, however, is most likely the best precaution we can take at the present time to defend ourselves from COVID-19 attack. 

As the virus battle rages, many people are finding Covid19 lockdown comfortable and work from home safely. If you are not one among them, you need to make this time productive rather than becoming idle or getting depressed sitting at home.  Even in the time of social distancing, one can still connect with  one’s neighbors and friends and offer support to those in need.

With the supply of daily necessaries shrinking up, this is a good time to reconsider what you should regard as your essential commodities. Try to become simple and content with what you have at your hand during this lockdown period. It is useful for the future too.

During this lockdown what a better way than reading books, brushing up one’s vocabulary to improve our language proficiency  and share your knowledge and reflections with your friends which will enhance your knowledge of people, society, history and culture. Think about yourself and reflect on your future goals, physical, mental and spiritual health, career aspirations and much more.

You can also unlock your artistic talents and aptitudes. Try your hand at drawing, painting, photography, writing songs, poems etc.  If you are interested in cooking, you can find great recipes online and can finally spend time cooking things never as before, even though you are under stringent budget. 

You can build your body in the lockdown.  Many yoga and fitness centers are offering online-classes at this time, which you can use profitably to improve your health, both physical and mental. It is the best time you can indulge in exercising and making certain that you keep yourself healthy and fit.  

If you want to experience mental and spiritual peace, put on some music and give meditation a try. Meditation will also help you reduce stress, boost energy, develop immunity system to combat the virus attack. Choosing any of these activities will give you peace of mind and enable you to do complete justice to your free time. You can also explore many other activities in line with your taste and aptitude.

You can get rid of smoking, alcoholic addiction etc., and keep yourself healthy and disciplined. During this time of crisis, it is important that you together with your family come closer to God by worshiping and praying to God Almighty. A few moments of supplications and spiritual thought can release you from your day long unpleasant pressure and give you peace and harmony within yourself and then you can pass such experience on to others. 

Let not this lockdown really locks your spirit down. Many possibilities are open to you and I have suggested some of them. A famous dictum says: Do it, do it now!

Writing sharply on Corona Wall?

P C  THOMAS

"If you ensure these points well in your script, yes your story is ready to catch reader’s attention, and may even going to ‘Viral’!"

The world is now struggling with Covid-19 crisis, and in the midst, it is a common scenario that for many writers, artists or poets, it is their only the best way forward to put pen to paper, making their ever best creations trying to conceptualize on corona wall, as India’s hotspots are still under extended lockdown and the regular life seems to have ground to a halt, leaving them fell-free to express their emotions!

Of late, seeing my articles in print, some juniors asked me how to write short-sharp on the Covid-19 issues? At the same time, many people also excused that they have no idea how to write.

In the novel corona virus time, however, the writers write the best, poets make their catchy slogans, singers/dancers sound their best and even the dogs bark at the hoot–  All creations loom large in craze!.  By this spirit, they are never supposed to enjoy the situation, but they at their fullest emotions, try to react the corona virus painfully!

However, if your interest is focused on writing, at this juncture let me give some guidelines on writing with my experience in the field: Dear friends, you can develop your writing and thinking power to its fullest extent, not only in the Covid, but also on any matter, if you can train yourselves. 

From the earliest memories of childhood, throughout your school days to adult friendship, your experience at work, or as you like to write the Covid crisis, the lockdown, the isolation, the quarantine, the social and economic consequences of Covid, the family and personal crises that Covid generates etc, which  are all moving issues that can be dealt with your pen. Today, it is an admissible fact that, Covid-19 or Corona virus holds more than 75 percent of media coverage.

Whatever be your writing topic that put on CORONA wall or anywhere, it should be basically informative, narrative and clear in its purpose. Originality is a vital ingredient in any piece of writing, whatever is its theme. Writing begins when you think you have something important to say to others! 

If you like the idea of making your voice heard, you stand a better chance of having it published in newspapers. You don’t need to be a writer or journalist by profession to have your writing accepted by the print media. You can do it without any special training.  The basic requirement is the ordinary schooling that all of us have had and an alert mind to reflect on what is happening around you and the ability to respond to it. Many regular columnists and skilled writers commenced their careers by way of writing letters in local publications.

See, constructing a readable article is not an easy task as it looks.  To achieve it, you must have an organized and systematic approach to your writing assignment.  To start with, you must study the theme well. In other words, you must be well informed about the theme of our writing.  Thinking positively is the principal part of writing. Pick a topical item of local importance or common interest, preferably one which matters to you personally and hopefully for others and write about it to the Editor of the local newspaper.  While writing a Letter to the Editor, following points need to be ensured:

Write clearly and straight forward, keep it brief and to the point and make it as contemporary as possible. While writing an article, the opening sentence should give a clear indication of what the script is all about and once you begin writing, keep focus on the main point and don’t digress or don’t get the point sidetracked.  It should have a good attention-grabbing introduction, and the middle arranged in a logical order so as to deliver the information promised in the introduction.  And the ending, which rounds the article off, bring it logically back to the beginning. If you ensure these points well in your script, yes your story is ready to catch reader’s attention, and may even going to ‘Viral’!

In sum, if the writing bug has bitten you, write right away – on the Corona walls or any wall street! Writing out something, anything, and publishing them will enable you to organize your thinking power and to discover your strength and weakness. The key stone for developing the skill of writing is laid in one’s inquisitiveness of mind and interest in READING!.

This story was published in Free Press Journal on 14-May 2019

Nurses Day Midst Covid Challenge

ANCY SEBASTIAN

Nation celebrates International Nurses Day on May 12 honoring the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the revolutionary figure in the nursing world, to mark the contributions of nurses in the society. The day is set apart to respect and acknowledge the contributions of nurses to the society.

As a Nursing Superintendent and OT in-charge at Coral Hospital Indore, I would like to share my nursing life in this Covid times, in this International Nurses Day:- I love being a nurse in profession for many reasons - Mostly because this profession has brought me into the lives of people whom I would not have met, if I were not a nurse. Some of the most interesting people I have ever met came into my life because I am a nurse.

Despite hurdles in the pandemic, I perform my selfless devotion and determination giving dignity to my service. As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rising momentum, nurses on the frontlines of the health care find themselves risky in their life. The role of Nurses in the healthcare sector comes more significant now in the Covid times than ever before. As the nurses are often the backbone of doctor and the last thread of kindness for patients, they are working without rest.

In spite of rising number of Covid-19 patients, I keep on my record that I am still going for duty, and did not skip even a single shift. When I give injection to patients, I always try to keep my smile at the tip of the needle or at the heart of the patients. I illuminate the minds of patients while I sharing my burdens with them.

It was one year ago that my husband left to heavenly abode.  In spite of the loneliness suffered post death of my partner, I have been a regular visitor to hospitals and other institutions as part of my service. It is my promise that I will continue my service sincerely at the end of my life.

At the Covid juncture, some fellow nurses shared their feelings: “If we sit at home leaving job, what would be our motivation level?” Yes,  I try to keep my team motivated, make certain they take all the necessary precautions, and keep them updated with all information. When I am on duty, I visit all sections of the hospital and keep talking to my colleagues and encouraging their spirits.

I think this Covid-19 pandemic only highlights and elevates the key role that nurses serve in health care. Let us see the various alternative ways nurses can contribute, adapt, and take the lead in this crisis. Being the Nursing Excellence Award Winner, I respect the International Nurses Day and its significance in nurses life, and pray let the light of Florence Nightingale be rekindled to burn brightly in our hearts!.

Bravely Metting the Covid Challenge

P C THOMAS

On this International Nurses Day, Tuesday 12th May, we want to celebrate with appreciate all our noble nurses who work hard every day, while the Nurses community today is waging war universally against COVID-19, a foe as terrifying as any in the recorded human history.

Grappling with the pandemic and all its challenges, however, the nurses as well as doctors deserve special appreciation in their efforts in these Covid times. They are wonderfully doing their duties that exchange people’s lives each day.  

Here, some senior nurses in their nursing career would like to share their concern about the COVID crisis: -Nurses from around and beyond the city highlighted their hopes by sharing their concern about this pandemic COVID-19 crisis: One of the Nursing Award winners Mrs. Ancy Sebastian of Coral Hospital, Indore says: “In spite of rising number of Covid-19 patients, I keep on my record that I am still going for duty, and did not skip even a single shift. When I give injection to patients, I always try to plant my smile at the tip of the needle or at the heart of the patients”.

Mrs. Sheeba George of Asian Institute of Infertility Management, Indore shares: “It’s a time of great stress and uncertainty still nurses are rising to the occasion. Even during this pandemic, we are the front-line warriors and are facing innumerable challenges like long working hours, lack of proper sleep and rest and shortage of personal protective equipments and endless mental and emotional stress. Yet, the nursing community makes a lot of comprises and sacrifices in their personal and family lives for the well-being of the society amidst the Covid crisis”.

Mrs.Thressiamma George, the Nursing Excellence Award winner, having 38-years experience in nursing dedication, who works in Bose-Sirs hospital, Anickad, Kerala shares: “Despite Covid crises, I am going to hospital by walking over 2 kilo meters  to and fro to perform my duty to the best of my abilities and with devotion. So far I have not taken a single leave during the Covid times”.

In light of the above sharing by some of the nurses from their heart, let us salute our nurses with all our hearts and spirits. We may call this 2020, as the International Year of doctors & nurses and all other front-line workers in this Covid crisis as we celebrate the International Nurses Day!.

By PC Thomas - Click here

ഈ ‘കോവിഡ്’ കാലഘട്ടത്തിൽ എങ്ങനെ മാതൃദിനം ആഘോഷിക്കാം?

ഈ മാതൃദിനത്തിൽ, എന്റെ മാതൃഭാഷയിൽ, എന്റെ മാതാവിന്റെ ഏഴാം ചരമ വാർഷികത്തെ ഓർത്തുകൊണ്ട് ഒരു കത്ത് .......

പി സി  തോമസ്

ഇന്ന്  ‘ലോക മാതൃദിനം’.. അഥവാ ഒരു കോവിഡ് മാതൃദിനം. സാമൂഹിക വിദൂര അകൽച്ചകൾ  പാലിക്കുകയും എല്ലാവരേയും സുരക്ഷിതവും ആരോഗ്യകരവുമായി നിലനിർത്തുകയും ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ പ്രത്യേകമായും വൈകാരികമായും നമ്മുടെ സ്നേഹം നിറഞ്ഞ അമ്മമാർക്കു വേണ്ടി എന്തെങ്കിലും ചെയ്യാനുള്ള ഒരു അവസരമാണ്  ഇതെന്ന്  തോന്നിപ്പോകുന്നു.

നാം  ജനിച്ചനാൾ മുതൽ നമ്മുക്ക്  ലഭിച്ച  അമ്മയുടെ സ്നേഹത്തെ പ്രതിഫലിപ്പിക്കുന്നതിനും,  ഒരിക്കലും നമ്മെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നതിൽ നിന്ന് ഒട്ടും കുറവ് വരുത്താത്ത നമ്മുടെ അമ്മയോടുള്ള നമ്മുടെ ആദരവ് പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കാനും സ്വന്തം  വ്യക്തിത്തത്തോടുള്ള വിലമതിപ്പ് തെളിയിക്കുന്നതിനുമുള്ള ഓർമ്മപ്പെടുത്തലാണ് ഈ മാതൃദിനം. നമ്മുടെ അമ്മമാർ നമുക്കുവേണ്ടി ചെയ്ത എല്ലാത്തിനും സന്തോഷം നൽകുന്ന ലോക മാതൃദിനം അഥവാ International Mother’s day - മെയ് രണ്ടാം  ഞായർ ലോകം കൊണ്ടാടുന്നു. 

ഇന്ന് നമ്മുടെ അമ്മമാർ വ്യത്യസ്തമായ  ജീവിത  സാഹചര്യങ്ങളിലൂടെ കടന്നു പോയാണ്  അവരുടെ കർത്തവ്യങ്ങൾ നിർവഹിക്കുന്നത്  - ചില അമ്മമാരെ സംബന്ധിച്ചിടത്തോളം, അവരുടെ ജീവിതത്തിൽ നിന്ന് മരണംവഴി  വേർ പെട്ടുപോയ തന്റെ ഭർത്താവിന്റെയോ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളുടെയോ  ഓർമകളെ താലോലിക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്ന വൈകാരികമായ നിമിഷങ്ങളാകാം.. അതുമല്ലങ്കിൽ മക്കളെ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട ചിലർക്ക്, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മറിച് അമ്മമാരെ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട മക്കൾക്ക്, അവരുടെ പ്രാർത്ഥനയിൽ അവരെ ഓർമ്മിച്ചു പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കാൻ ചിലവഴിക്കുന്ന നിമിഷങ്ങളാകാം. അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഉപജീവനത്തിനായി വിദേശ രാജ്യങ്ങളിലേക്ക് കുടിയേറ്റപ്പെട്ട തന്റെ മക്കളിൽ  കോവിഡ് രോഗ ഭീതി മൂലം അവരുടെ  ആരോഗ്യത്തെയും ജീവിതത്തെയും കുറിച്ചു വ്യാകുലപ്പെടുന്നവരാകാം.  കുടുംബത്തിൽ നിന്ന് ഓടിപ്പോകുന്ന മക്കളുടെ നഷ്ടത്തിലാണ് ചിലർക്ക് വേദന വരുന്നത്. അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ചില അമ്മമാർ അവരുടെ കുട്ടികളുടെ ആരോഗ്യത്തെയും ഭാവിയെയും കുറിച്ചുള്ള ഭയവും ഉത്കണ്ഠയും മൂലം വേവലാതിപ്പെടുന്നവരാകാം.  കുട്ടികളെ പ്രസവിക്കാൻ കഴിയാത്ത ചിലർ കുട്ടികളെ ദത്തെടുക്കുകയും അവർക്ക് ഏറ്റവും നല്ല അമ്മമാരാകാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നവരാകാം. പ്രായമായ ചില അമ്മമാർ തങ്ങളുടെ കുട്ടികൾ തങ്ങളെ നന്നായി പരിപാലിക്കുന്നതിൽ സന്തോഷിക്കുന്നവരാകാം, മറ്റുള്ളവർ തങ്ങളുടെ കുട്ടികളാൽ  ഉപേക്ഷിക്കപ്പെട്ടവരായി കഴിയുന്നവരാകാം. 

ചില അമ്മമാർ തന്റെ പ്രസവ ദിവസം എണ്ണിക്കൊണ്ട് തന്റെ അടുത്ത  കുഞ്ഞിനെ വയറ്റിൽ പോറ്റുന്നവർ  ആകാം. ചിലർ ഏകാന്തയായ  വിധവകളാകാം.  ചിലർക്ക് ഈ ജീവിതകാലത്ത് ഒന്നും  സ്വന്തമായി ഉണ്ടായിട്ടില്ലായിരിക്കാം എന്നിട്ടും സ്വർഗ്ഗീയപിതാവ് തങ്ങളെ അനാഥരായി  വിടില്ലെന്ന് വിശ്വസിച്ചികൊണ്ട് സന്തോഷത്തോടെ ജീവിക്കുന്നവരാകാം. അങ്ങനെ  മാതൃത്വത്തിന്റെ പരുക്കൻ സാഹചര്യങ്ങൾ എന്തുതന്നെയായാലും, കൂടുതൽ അമ്മമാമാരും അവരുടെ കഷ്ടപ്പാടുകളാൽ തങ്ങളുടെ ലോകത്തെ  വേണ്ടതിലധികം വികസിപ്പിച്ചെടുത്തിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഒരു അമ്മ താമസിക്കുന്ന സാഹചര്യം എന്തുതന്നെയായാലും, അവളുടെ ജീവൻ നൽകുന്നതും ജീവൻ പരിപോഷിപ്പിക്കുന്നതുമായ പങ്ക് ആർക്കും മാറ്റിസ്ഥാപിക്കാൻ കഴിയുകയില്ല. അങ്ങനെ അവരുടെ മക്കൾ  താമസിക്കുന്ന മികച്ച ലോകത്തിൽ  അഭിമാനത്തോടെ ജീവിക്കുന്ന അമ്മമാരെ നമുക്കിന്ന് ആദരിക്കാം!

ഈ വർഷത്തെ അന്തർദ്ദേശീയ മാതൃദിനം കോവിഡ്-19 പ്രതിസന്ധിയെത്തുടർന്ന് ഉത്കണ്ഠയോടും പ്രയാസത്തോടെയും കടന്നു പോകുന്നു.  'അമ്മ'ദിവസം ആഘോഷിക്കാൻ അമ്മയെ ഒന്ന് കറങ്ങിയടിക്കുവാൻ പുറത്തു കൊണ്ടു പോകാൻ പോലും  കഴിയാതെ പോകുന്ന ഒരു സാഹചര്യം.  ലോക്‌ഡോൺ ചലിക്കുന്ന ഈ സാഹചര്യത്തിൽ, ഒരാൾക്ക് തന്റെ സ്നേഹം പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള പരിമിതമായ മാർഗ്ഗങ്ങളോടും കർശനമായ സാഹചര്യങ്ങളോടും കൂടി എങ്ങനെ തന്റെ മാതൃദിനം വൈകാരികമായി ആഘോഷിക്കാൻ കഴിയും?  

ഇളം പ്രായക്കാരായ കുട്ടികളെ, നിങ്ങളെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്ന അമ്മക്കുവേണ്ടി ഒരു കൊച്ചു കടലാസു കഷണത്തിൽ ഒരു കവിത എഴുതാം:  ഏത് ഭാഷയിലും എഴുതാം Mother I love you, Obviously I love you, Truly I love you, Heart-fully I love you, Everlastingly I love you, Really I love you!. (Each starting letters of the sentence makes beauty to your MOTHER). നിങ്ങളുടെ ആക്ഷൻ പ്ലാൻ ഉപയോഗിച്ച് വിവിധ രീതികളിൽ നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മമാരെ സാധ്യമായ ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച രീതിയിൽ സന്തോഷിപ്പിക്കാനും പ്രചോദനം നൽകുവാനും  കഴിയും. 

മക്കളേ,  സ്നേഹത്തോടും വാത്സല്യത്തോടും കൂടിയുള്ള നിങ്ങളുടെ ഭാവുകങ്ങൾ നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയെ ലഹരി പിടിപ്പിക്കട്ടെ! ഈ 'അമ്മ' ദിവസത്തിൽ, നിങ്ങൾക്ക് അമ്മയെ കെട്ടിപ്പിടിക്കാം    അമ്മയുടെ ഓരോ വിരലുകളിലും വ്യത്യസ്ത നിറങ്ങളിൽ നെയിൽ പോളിഷുകൾ ഇട്ടുകൊടുക്കാം,   നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയ്ക്ക് ഊഷ്മള ചുംബനം നൽകാം, മാറിൽ തലചായ്ക്കാം. നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയ്ക്ക് കുടിക്കാൻ ഒരു കപ്പ് മധുരമുള്ള പാൽ നൽകാം,   നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയെ മടിയിൽ ഇരുത്താം, ഇന്ന്  അമ്മയ്ക്ക് ഭക്ഷണം ഉണ്ടാക്കുന്നതിൽ നിന്നും ഒഴിവുകൊടുക്കാം. നിങ്ങൾതന്നെ നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയ്ക്ക് ഭക്ഷണം ഉണ്ടാക്കികൊടുക്കാം. നിങ്ങളുടെ ദൈനംദിന ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ സമസ്ത മേഖലകളിലും അമ്മയുടെ ആശിർവാദം വാങ്ങിയെടുക്കാം.

മുതിർന്നവർക്കും  തങ്ങളുടെ  പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ഓർമ്മകൾ നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയുമായി പങ്കിടാം. നിങ്ങളുടെ ജീവിതത്തിൽ പ്രചോദനം ഉൾക്കൊണ്ട്  നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്ന വ്യക്തിത്വത്തിന് എല്ലായ്പ്പോഴും ദൈവത്തോട് നന്ദി പറയുക. നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മയോട് പറയുക: “ഞാനിന്ന് ഞാനായത് അമ്മയുടെ മാർഗനിർദേശം കൊണ്ടാണ്”. അങ്ങനെയെങ്കിൽ, പലർക്കും, ഈ മാതൃദിനം വളരെ വ്യത്യസ്തമായി അനുഭവപ്പെടും, ഇത് അതിന്റെ ആഡംബരത്തോടെ ആഘോഷിക്കുന്ന ദിവസമാക്കി മാറ്റുകയും നിങ്ങളുടെ അമ്മമാർക്ക് ഈ കോവിഡ് കാലഘട്ടത്തിൽ പ്രത്യേക അനുഭവം നൽകുകയും ചെയ്യാം. അമ്മേ, അമ്മയില്ലങ്കിൽ ഈ കഠിനമായ ലോകത്ത് ഞാൻ എങ്ങനെ അതിജീവിക്കുമെന്ന് എനിക്കറിയില്ല. എന്റെ അമ്മേ, ഞാൻ നിന്നെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നു.

ഈ എഴുത്തു എന്റെ  അമ്മയുടെ ഏഴാം

ചരമ വാർഷിക ദിനത്തെ ഓർമിച്ചു സമർപ്പിക്കുന്നു.