Naseer Rather
As I write this, the global death toll due to Covid 19 pandemic has risen to more than three lakh with around 50 lakh being infected by the invisible enemy. On Television, I can hear President of South Korea – one of the least affected country of the world – warning people that ‘it is not over until it is over.’ The world is devastated by the pandemic and nothing seems to work in our favour right now. World has come to a standstill – literally.
India is under world’s largest lockdown to stop community transmission of Covid-19. The nation of this scale and size cannot afford community transmission. Given its geography and other risk factors, the situation is largely under control in comparison to those countries having the best healthcare system in the world. But, we can’t afford to lose the grip. The challenge is huge.
At a time when the entire world is under threat, keeping yourself positive in lockdown is even a bigger challenge. Amid melancholy, there is a hope that sustains life. Billions of people across the globe are holding on to their dreams and hope of a new dawn. I am not the only one to be optimistic. Whole world is, for hope sustains our life.
The lockdown has offered me an opportunity to rediscover myself. As a News Editor with All India Radio, I embrace a bigger responsibility daily without break, far away from home. My organisation has the largest connect with people in remotest corners of the country.I can’t shrug off my responsibility of informing people about the developments in and around the world. We have a mission in hand – to inform and update people with all factual developments and initiatives of the government to keep their hope alive. Sustaining one’s hope isn’t an easy thing. It is a huge responsibility.
On March 23, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced country wide lockdown in the evening, I was left with limited groceries and other essentials to feed myself for the next 21 days along withtwo guests at my rented residence in Jammu. Ten minutes after the announcement, we managed to buy 5 kg vegetables, a hand sanitizer, tooth paste and a few soaps. A day after, my guests managed to return back to the valley in their private car. They insisted me to return home with them, but my professional obligations never allowed me to do so. I couldn’t afford to leave my office unethically in testing times, for I reside in the vicinity of my office, well abreast with the fact that I was the only one who could manage to attend office in emergency, despite strict lockdown. In the days ahead, in frustration and unavailability of even a milk packet, I felt distressed for not returning home. In frustration, I could see all of our 46 Regional News Units spread across the country running smoothly, with limited staff though. Thisonly boosted my morale. Today, after almost two months of lockdown when restrictions have eased here and I can find every essential commodity easily, I have no hesitation in saying that there could not have been a better start to my career than handling this pressure and responsibility. It has taught me many things – from steadfastness to perseverance and being responsible. The enthusiasm and dedication of my PDG, ADG and other seniors and fellow colleagues at All India Radio News New Delhi and my Regional News Unit in Jammu has kept me motivated, despite frustrations at times. It is not a PR piece, but frankly speaking, there is enough motivation for me to work when I see my PDG and ADG leading from the front, motivating everyone to ensure All India Radio News reaches the remotest corners of India with credible, timely and factual information.Amid outbreak of fake news pandemic, the volume of quality work All India Radio News has done in these testing times is exemplary.
During this pandemic, media has played an important role to inform and update people. People call us Corona Warriors. This holds true to a point, but I sincerely don’t postulate myself in the line of Corona Warriors -for this is the profession of my choice and I am in the line of duty, which I try to perform with utmost professionalism and dedication. It nurtures my body and soul.
The lockdown has helped me rediscover life and stop complaining about different comforts. The sufferings of people across the world are heart wrenching. When you look at how people struggle to stay alive and still care for others, humanity seems reborn. The advent of technology has made us emotionless, but I see people changing for good. Empathy is back in human life, so is the human spirit of overcoming this pandemic. World is changing for good.
Back from office at my residence, I have made friends with four bees in my bedroom where they weave a small honey comb at the window.Initially, one bee would stay on the shell of a lemon sized honey comb to ensure I don’t intrude into their dreamland. They don’t get alerted when I enter. I don’t disturb them. Occasionally, I turn on the fan to beat the heat, but they don’t get crazy. Now all of them go to suck nectars together. Perhaps, they trust me now. On a moonlit night, I see them weave their honey comb in the back drop of afull moon.
It looks gorgeous in a moonlit night or when I turn on the lights. It looks as if they have woven the whole moon with their blood. I admire their patience and Art. It has an amazing pattern.I see my hopes woven in it. Whenever I mutter a song, they react to it by humming. It has a rhythm – a soothing one that travels deep into my heart. It heals my soul. We understand each other. They are my messengers and I listen to them. They teach me the creativity of weaving a dream world from the fragrance of flowers that grow amongst the thorns. They teach me everything can be balanced in life and we don’t need to intrude into each other’s world. Humans have created a huge imbalance in the world – perhaps unnecessary and unwanted.
This would be my first Eid away from home. But I am not alone. We will sing along songs of joy and thank our creator. We will pray for the nature to sustain life and nurture us again. We will weave our destiny of hope and dreams together. Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect, but our hope is a fuel for our journey. This too shall pass.
(The writer is an Indian Information Service
Officer (IIS) and currently posted at All
India Radio News Jammu.)
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