How do we prepare ourselves against Covid pandemic?

PC  THOMAS

The exponential hike in coronavirus cases is troublesome for the people across the planet. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that the pandemic will wreak further havoc on the face of the earth.

Now, newer blueprints are emerging in India’s Covid-19 surge with cases crossing a million-mark. With the fear looms large, the coming back of complete lockdowns in various parts of India is even more worrying.

Bihar has been declared completely closed for two weeks from Saturday. Major cities in various states have been closed. U.P and M.P are under complete lockdown during weekend, Sundays. Guwahati, the capital of Assam has been in lockdown since June 28. Pune in Maharashtra on June 13 and Bangalore on July 14 were closed. Calcutta is in a partial lockdown in various cantonment zones. In Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is on a triple lockdown from July 6. At least one-third of the country's population is facing lockdowns again in at least 10 states.

Now, one question people seek an answer is what we can do now to resist? - It is difficult to answer. However, we can boost our resilience, which is our single best weapon for dealing with stress. This one disease, Covid-19 can provide us with such wisdom beyond our comprehension. 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. 

In order to keep the virus under control, it is important that people must follow social distancing protocol effectively. The more people we have exchanges with, the more possibility the virus has to spread. Hence, try to limit the number of people we see - especially over short periods of time. All People should adhere to the government guidelines, wearing masks and sanitization regularly.

As the crisis allows us to find additional meaning in our lives, many little things surprisingly become very important for us. What to do now?  - As a very little measure, do yoga regularly as breathing exercises will increase our lung capacity. As heart rate increases, breathing becomes rapid and the virus will likely find it difficult to gain a foothold. Those who are smoking quit their habits as smoking damages the lungs providing a foothold for infections.

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 come across as we go through life. As human beings, when we encounter a challenge, we have liberty on how to respond to it. Every decision that we make leads us down a different road.

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!.

This article published in Metro Vaartha on 21.7.2020

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?

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!.

Lockdown Impact on Employment

PC THOMAS :  Having no significant gains from the 40-days shutdown in India's fight to slow the spread of COVID-19, it has become necessary for the government to extent the lockdown by two more weeks from May 4. Stay safe and well at home!

The nationwide lockdown to fight Covid-19 pandemic is possibly going to bring about immense occupation misfortunes, pay cuts and stop on recruiting for job over the next few quarters, subsequently giving blues to India's troubled work story.

To share my story: I have been working as a Content Writer, producing contents for some companies.  As a result of the lockdowns, with no improvement in the business, the companies faced a number of challenges to sustain their business and as a result, hurrah!, I lost my job in the very first phase of lockdown.

Covid-19 crisis has adversely affected not only in my case and in similar ones, but also all the employment sectors across the country. The virus and the subsequent economic shocks have impacted the world of work across verticals. There is terrible news about the continuing spread of the virus and the delay in discovering effective vaccine to contain the Covid-19 virus has led most employees to vex about the job loss or salary cut.

With hardly any career openings in the market foreseen at least for the next few months and what happens after the lockdown is lifted, God alone knows! At least for now, there is no clarity on how long it would take for the companies to pick up.

It is commonly seen, as retail sales have dropped completely on account of the lockdown, automotive dealers encounter several challenges to revive their business. Hotel, travel & hospitality industry and other businesses of Gems & Jewellary, Handicrafts, Textile and garments, have been hit hard.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, it is further witnessed that many companies have been cancelling interviews as there is lockdown in many parts of the country. However, some technology-oriented companies are hiring and conducting interviews by using alternative channels such as, Zoom, Skype etc., but there is no appointment taking place.

According to the latest assessment by the International Labour Organization or ILO, the economic and labour crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global joblessness by near 25-million. And if the impact continues for a few more months, however, there could be a tragedy of continuous job losses across different sectors in India. What a difficult time we are thrown into! 

International Labour Day: Nation Salute You Labourers

The day of May first, known as May Day, is celebrated as ‘International Labour Day’ in many countries to recognize the efforts of millions of labours and helpers in the world a better place to live in. It is also called ‘Workers' Day’ or ‘The International Workers day'.  It is a unique occasion when the people of the world commemorate the true dignity of the working class. On this day workers gather and showcase their strength that signifies how competently they can struggle to bring in positive developments for the working of the society. Therefore, on this day we thank all the labourers around the world for their strength and efforts.

Unfortunately, this year 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic, in a special way we are reminded to think about the plight of labourers. All countries in the world are in midst of social and economic shutdown, and face a difficult time for those who survive on daily labour. Many of these labouers’ lives have been abruptly uprooted by the lockdown, placing them in very precarious situations. Thousands of migrant labourers have tried to walk home to their villages and some are held up at various state borders.

The Covid-19 crisis has not only affected the daily waged labours, but also many business people are experiencing severe economic difficulties. Covid-19 has currently stalled the employment career, businesses all over the world whereby people are becoming unemployed. Factories, small industries, production, construction and operations have come to a standstill. While new jobs are struck in the lockdown, there is an ongoing livelihood crisis of crores of employees due to the shutdown of industries.

Since the Covid-19 virus spreads easily to the weak and daily labourers on account of their poor health and immunity system, Governments world-wide should take new steps to preserve and promote the health of labourers considering their plight and the poverty they endure. It is also attractive to provide large-scale unemployment allowance for helping the migrant workers through the COVID crisis.  The thought that goes in our mind is: how long will we have to wait for getting vaccine against the Covid 19 virus?

Labourers, all over the world, don’t lose hope! You will overcome the current Covid-crisis and you will eat the fruit of your labour. You are true heroes of every nation and the ladder through which economy of every nation climbs up. Certainly, blessings and prosperity will always be yours!! Stay 

COVID-19:Panic grips Malayalees in Gulf

P C  THOMAS

The fast spread of COVID-19 in the Gulf countries has become a major cause of concern in Kerala, which has a large section of its population working there, a lot of them are ordinary workers and labourers. It's been more than half a century since the Malayalee Diaspora working in the Gulf countries. A Malayalee who sweats in the sand for home and country has a defining role in the economic growth of Kerala.

The role of the Gulf Malayalee in the state's economic development cannot be overstated. As per estimate, more than 30 lakh people from Kerala are working in the Gulf countries. Also, there are millions of Malayalees in other countries of Asia, Europe, the US and Africa.

According to a rough estimate, the overseas Malayalees send a total of Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Kerala every year. It is estimated that the remittances of the Gulf Malayalees play a vital role in keeping the Human Development Index (HDI) of Kerala on par with the developed nations. Would the remittances from the Gulf to Kerala continue to flow as usual? 

With the spread of COVID 19 in the UAE and other Gulf countries, the Indian community is in a state of panic. Thousands lost their jobs. Thousands are on unpaid leave. In this situation it is desirable for them to return home than languishing there with anxiety and uncertainty. Therefore it is necessary to bring them back.

Many Malayalees in the Gulf need immediate help. There are many who worry about having to pay rent and buy food. It is absolutely necessary that special schemes are to be prepared for rehabilitation of those who have lost their jobs. The need of the hour is to reach out to our people who toil in foreign countries to develop our country!    

Good Friday: The Human Hope for A Better World

P C  THOMAS

Since the title itself is self-explanatory, let me come straight to the point. Now we are in the ‘CORONA Era’ where the world is facing one of the greatest challenges the human history has ever faced.  If we study history, we can see many epidemics ravaged humanity throughout its existence. And in 2020, the COVID-19 malady is spreading across the Globe geometrically. No society is spared whether national or regional or local.

The Latin word 'Corona' means crown. It is said that the name is derived from the fact that these viruses can be seen like a crown through electron microscope. However, these corona situations made many crowns in the human life and taught him many lessons.

In the modern world, many have doubted whether power is great or money is, but we have learnt now that these are not at all great compared to this contaminating virus. We have now seen radical changes taken place in the world due to corona virus and its devastating effects.

Cities and streets are silent, marriage, festivals and meetings are postponed. Churches, temples, mosque, pilgrim centers, tourist attractions, theaters, fitness centers, night clubs, beauty parlors saloons are shut until further notice.  Airports are seen empty; voyage is prohibited. Crimes and killings seem to have declined. Work of mercy has increased in the world. There is less accidents, less pollution in the world, everyone in the world ate his/her own meals, and there is ample time for those who hardly found time for family and relatives. For the Christian faithful, their Good Friday, Easter are in their personal prayer at home.

In the midst of this, nations are proud of medical help of the human fraternity at large. Big salute to Police force, doctors, nurses and helping hands who are extending their noble work without break or rest in spite of the crisis and risk involved in their own lives. Police personnel have been working tirelessly for protecting and helping people worldwide and we do not have sufficient words to express our gratitude.  

During the Good Friday and Easter prayers inside home, let us specially pay tributes for the front-line workers such as doctors, nurses, hospital staff, police force and social workers who are helping to keep society going amid the crisis. Let us pray to the Almighty God to eradicate the malady from the world. Let us hope for a resurrection to the world. 

ഈ കൊറോണ എന്നിൽ വരുത്തിയ മാറ്റങ്ങൾ

AUTHOR: SHERLY MATHEW, INDORE

ഒരുകാലത്ത് നമ്മുക്ക് വളരെ പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ടത് എന്ന് തോന്നിയിരുന്നത് ചിലപ്പോൾ അപ്രധാനമായും അപ്രധാനമായി കരുതിയിരുന്നത് ഏറ്റവും പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ടതായും മാറുന്നു. ഇതാണ് ഈ കൊറോണ നമ്മെ പഠിപ്പിക്കുന്നത്..

ഞാൻ അവധിയ്ക്ക് നാട്ടിൽ ചെല്ലുമ്പോൾ എപ്പോൾ ഞാൻ അടുക്കളയിൽ കയറിയാലും എന്റെ കുഞ്ഞാങ്ങള അമ്മയോട് പറയും "ചേച്ചിയെ സബോള പൊളിക്കാൻ മാത്രം ഏൽപ്പിക്കരുത് "എന്ന്. കാരണം ഞാൻ സബോളയുടെ രണ്ടും മൂന്നും പുറംതോട് പൊളിച്ചു കളയും..അവൻ അടുത്ത് വന്നിരുന്ന് ഞാൻ കളഞ്ഞ തൊണ്ടിൽ നിന്നും കട്ടിയുള്ള ഭാഗം എടുത്തു അമ്മയുടെ കൈയിൽ കൊടുക്കും . ഞാൻ അവനോടു വഴക്കടിക്കും "എടാ ഇതൊക്കെ മുഴുവൻ വിഷം ആണ്.. നീ ഇങ്ങനെ പിശുക്കത്തരം കാണിക്കല്ലേ"..ഇതായിരുന്നു എന്റെ പതിവ് ശൈലി.... അവൻ പറയും "ചേച്ചി ഇതുപോലും കിട്ടാത്ത ഒരവസ്ഥ വന്നാൽ നമ്മൾ എന്ത് ചെയ്യും "..

ഇന്ന് ഈ കൊറോണ കാലത്ത് ഓരോ സബോള എടുക്കുമ്പോഴും അവന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ ഓർക്കും. ഇന്ന് ഞാൻ വളരെ വിഷമിച് സബോളയുടെ കരിന്തൊണ്ട് മാത്രം കളയുന്നു. (അവൻ ഓരോ പ്രാവശ്യം ഫോൺ ചെയ്യുമ്പോഴും ഈ 'സബോളത്തൊണ്ട് ' കടന്നു വരുമെന്ന് ഞാൻ പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചു. പക്ഷേ ചേച്ചിയെ ഒത്തിരി സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നത് കൊണ്ട് അവൻ വേദനിപ്പിക്കില്ല).

ഒരാഴ്ച മുമ്പ് വരെ ഞാൻ ഇത്തിരി പഴുത്ത അഥവാ കേടുവന്ന പച്ചമുളക്, സ്വല്പം പഴുത്തുപോയ പഴം ഒക്കെ എടുത്തു കളഞ്ഞിരുന്നു.. ഇപ്പോൾ ഇവയൊക്കെ കേടുവന്ന ഭാഗം മുറിച്ചു കളഞ് ഉപയാഗിക്കുന്നു... അതിലും വലിയ രസം..ഒരിക്കൽ ചൂടാക്കിയ എണ്ണ വീണ്ടും ഉപയോഗിച്ചാൽ ക്യാൻസർ വരുമെന്ന് എവിടുന്നോ കേട്ട ഞാൻ പപ്പടം കാച്ചിയതിന്റെ ബാക്കി എണ്ണ മുൻപൊക്കെ എടുത്ത് കളയുമായിരുന്നു... (എന്നിട്ടും ക്യാൻസർ വന്നു.. അത് മറ്റൊരു കാര്യം ) ഇപ്പോൾ പപ്പടവും കാച്ചുന്നില്ല.. എണ്ണ കളയുന്നുമില്ല... കാച്ചിയാൽ തന്നെ എണ്ണ എടുത്തു സൂക്ഷിച്ചു വയ്ക്കും. ഇങ്ങനെ പലതും... വിലയില്ലാതിരുന്നതെല്ലാം വളരെ വിലയുള്ളതായി .. കാരണം ഇപ്പോൾ ഒന്നും കിട്ടാനില്ല. എന്നെപോലെ പലരും ഇങ്ങനെ ഒരുപാട് മാറിയിട്ടുണ്ടാവും..

അല്പം മുൻപ് വരെ sunday, sunday ആകണമെങ്കിൽ എന്തെങ്കിലും ഒക്കെ special വേണമായിരുന്നു... ഇത്തിരി മീൻ ഇല്ലാതെ ചോറുണ്ണാൻ എനിക്ക് വലിയ വിഷമം ആയിരുന്നു.. ഇപ്പോൾ മീനില്ലെങ്കിൽ അതിന്റെ മുള്ളെങ്കിലും കിട്ടിയിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ എന്ന് കൊതിക്കുന്നു... ഇപ്പോൾ എല്ലാ ദിവസവും ഒരുപോലെ ജീവിക്കാൻ പഠിച്ചു. ഇന്ന് നമ്മുക്ക് എല്ലാത്തിനും വിലയുണ്ട്. അതങ്ങനെയാണ്... ചിലതൊക്ക കൈയിൽ ഉള്ളപ്പോൾ അതിന് നാം വില കൊടുക്കാറില്ല .. അതില്ലാതാകുമ്പോൾ ആണ് അതിന്റെ മുല്യം നാം അറിയുന്നത്.

സാധാരണ ഈ സമയങ്ങളിൽ മാർക്കറ്റ് മുഴുവൻ ക്രിസ്ത്യൻ ചേച്ചിമാരെകൊണ്ട് നിറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. കാരണം ഓശാന ഞായർ മുതൽ ഈസ്റ്റർ ഞായർ വരെ ഉടുക്കാൻ ഓരോ പുതിയ ഡ്രസ്സ് വേണമായിരുന്നു.. പിന്നെ അതിനുള്ള മാച്ചിങ് accessories... ആഴ്ച തോറും മാറുന്ന ഫാഷനുകൾ... ഇപ്പോൾ ആർക്കും ഒന്നും വേണ്ട.. ഇപ്പോൾ എല്ലാറ്റിലുമുപരി ജീവൻ ആണ് വലുത് എന്ന് ചിലർക്കെങ്കിലും ബോധ്യം ആയിട്ടുണ്ടാവും.. (പക്ഷേ ഇതൊക്ക കഴിഞ്ഞു normal ആകുമ്പോൾ വീണ്ടും പഴയ സ്ഥിതി തന്നെയാകും. അതും മറക്കുന്നില്ല.) ..

ഇപ്പോൾ നാം ഒരുതരം വിരക്തിയിൽ അല്ലെ... വിരക്തിയിൽ ഒത്തിരി നന്മകൾ ഉണ്ട്. സമ്പത്തിൽ നിന്നും, ആഡംബരത്തിൽ നിന്നും, അഹംബോധത്തിൽ നിന്നും ഒക്കെ മനസ്സിനെ പറിച്ചെടുക്കാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞാൽ ... തനിക്ക് ലഭിച്ച കുഞ്ഞുജീവിതം കൊണ്ട് ചുറ്റും പരിമളം പരത്തി ഒരു പ്രഭാതത്തിൽ മണ്ണിലേക്കുതിർന്നുവീണ് തന്റെ ഉറവിടത്തിലേക്കു വളരെ ശാലീനമായി തിരികെ പോകുന്ന മുല്ലപൂക്കളെ പോലെ നമ്മുക്കും ഏതു നിമിഷവും, യാതൊരു പ്രതിക്ഷേധവുമില്ലാതെ ഈ ലോകം വിട്ടു പോകാൻ കഴിയും.. അത്രമാത്രം മൃദുലമായേ ഈ ലോകത്തെയും അതിലെ വസ്തുക്കളെയും തൊടാവു... ഒന്നിലും അള്ളിപിടിക്കരുത്.. പിടിച്ചിട്ടു കാര്യവുമില്ല.. ആരും, ഒന്നും ആർക്കും സ്വന്തമല്ല... കാരണം എപ്പോൾ, എവിടെ, എങ്ങനെ അന്ത്യം എന്നറിയാത്ത ഒരു ജീവിതം പേറുന്നവരാണ് മനുഷ്യർ..

ഈ അവബോധം ഇനിയും നമ്മിൽ വേരൂന്നിയിട്ടില്ല.. ഊന്നിയാൽ അത് നമ്മെ കുറേക്കൂടി നല്ല മനുഷ്യരാക്കും. നമ്മുടെ അറിവും പാണ്ഡിത്യവും നമ്മെ അതിന് അനുവദിക്കുന്നില്ല എന്നതാണ് സത്യം.. പട്ടിണിയും ദാരിദ്ര്യവും എന്തെന്ന് അറിഞ്ഞ ഒരു ബാല്യം എനിക്കുണ്ടായിരുന്നത് കൊണ്ടാവാം എനിക്ക് ജീവിതത്തെ ഇത്ര ലഘുവായി നോക്കിക്കാണാൻ പറ്റുന്നത്..

ഇന്ന് നാം ധാരാളിത്തത്തിൽ കുതിച്ചു മറിയുന്നു.. നാലഞ്ചു കൂട്ടം കറികൾ കൂട്ടി നല്ല കുത്തരിചോറുണ്ണുമ്പോഴും നമ്മുക്ക് ആരോടും നന്ദിയില്ല. ദൈവത്തിനോട് പോലും. ഇന്നിന്റെ നിറവിൽ നടന്നു വന്ന വഴികൾ മറക്കാതിരിക്കാം... ഈ മുല്ലപ്പൂക്കളെ പോലെ ചുറ്റും പരിമളം പരത്തി നമ്മുക്കും കടന്നു പോകാം... എല്ലാവർക്കും സന്തോഷവും സമാധാനവും നിറഞ്ഞ lockdown ദിവസങ്ങൾ നേരുന്നു... ഇപ്പോൾ ശുഭസായാഹ്ന ആശംസകൾ .. വീണ്ടും കാണാം.... സസ്നേഹം ഷേർലി മാത്യു.. (31.03.2020)