Lockdown-4-Roorkee

Lockdown-4 

Go Green. Hip,hip hurrah! 

The district of Hardwar, Uttrakhand has been given the status of Green amidst the Covid-19 precautions and relaxations. The restricted freedom, bestowed on us beleagured citizens, is being celebrated albeit with caution. On the flip side there are areas in many states which are still under strict restrictions being given the RED ZONE tag. Soon, they too should be revelling, but if the restrictions are followed to the T. 

In the area that I live, in the home my ancestors made 150 years ago, along with my family, had to shut down completely. Although our houses are back to back with hardly any space in between, with everyone knowing everyone, it was difficult initially. However, the gravity of the situation , the handsome cane of the law and  the compulsion of survival, compelled all to fall in line. Initially, like little kids who are told to do this and do that, they revolted (which is a very normal reaction to authority) and took to the streets as if life was normal. The scenes that I witnessed were like something from the "Planet of the Apes", wherein Caesar, though caged longed for freedom even in the restricted area that he and his fellow apes were allowed in.https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2472384/all-the-planet-of-the-apes-movies-ranked 

Just imagine that! The peole failed to see the invisible domed cage enveloping the very lives of each. It was unthinkable that one is free yet freedom would be restricted. And how quickly humans adapted to it. Soon, streets were deserted and we were untouched so far by this endemic whilst all over the country infection was takeing it toll with many dying. Yet, to us, it seemed a far off thing. For, we felt secure and followed the norms in these extraordinary times, although, the news flashes on the idiot box  showed that the grim reaper was at work. 

There was no sirens wailing, no medical attendents looking like cosmonauts around us. This invokes to the mind the movie Contagion (2011). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598778/ .

The initial shock had worn off. The hasty and for-the-camera distribution of food packets had by now trickled down to nothing. The fact that such benevolence could not be sustained for long hit all of us, which no doubt, was bound to happen.  It appears that the locals had little problems to scream about. The brunt of the lockdown was felt by the migrant labour. Their condition was really bad. They are the ones who got sucked into the vortex of suffering: lack of work ,food and shlelter. On social media much is talked about, much is shared, But coming to brass tacks, we all did our bit in hwatever way we could, especially this month being Ramadan, in which, alms are given, food is distributed among the have-nots. 

Our district has been given the green status in this lockdown-4. This has had a effective affect on all here. Life is slowly, but surely limping back to narmalcy, Of course this will take some time though. Places of mass gatherings still remain closed. On the whole, work has started, restaurants have been allowed to make home delivery, barbers are back to work. The roads and streets are busy with a little traffic, shops are opening on alternate days. We are happy for us, but sad for those migrants. Let us all pray things will improve for them too!

How about you and your area? 

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay Blessed.

Till next time, 

We Live And Learn !

After the long Id-E-Milad and Holi holidays, the exams have started on schedule. There seemed no tension in the air, as far as the junior classes were concerned; but the 11th...that's another story! They seemed to be too sure of themselves and Y not ! Kids these days come prepared for every eventuality. What that was, is anybody's guess. Anyway, the first day of the exam started on a serious note. There was an eerie silence all over the school compound. Small groups of students were at their book going through, searching for something that they could have missed. At the same time, they had a look of anticipation on their bright faces. They were wondering which teacher would come for the invigilation. Well, soon their query was answered. The bell rang and all settled in their respective rooms and their allotted seats.The new system for the ninth class was put into practice.The question paper had come from the CBSE  itself, its pattern - - the same as for the High school exams.No hanky panky was tried as it was the English exams. And within no time ( it seemed) the exams were even over. . this could be gauged by the buzz of the students in the  the corridors. They had been through the drill of writing the exams.  By 11.45 am there was a hushed silence in the school compound. 
At this point I am reminded of a quote by Jiddu Krishnamurti which goes thus: "There is no need to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning." This the students fail to realize.They will in times to come. 

  Then came the 5th of March. The 11th grade had their Physics exams. And as was expected they were upto the old tricks. The tricks followed by their peers who have passed through these hallowed portals. The hiding of `pharras' in the toilet; in the bushes behind the boys as well as the girls toilet. The girls wouldn't be left behind, after all the fairer sex is expected to walk shoulder to shoulder with her male counterpart ! These are the places that I have found out. But of course, there may be many others that I have yet to discover. Just as has been discovered in the beauty of  school-mate Pratibha's, the sometimes uncontrolled but well defined, lines across the page of her note book; maybe expressing a desire to bind the invigilator into inaction while she is giving her exams, U know for what ! Coming to the GREAT happening ! Taking a stroll in the grounds a couple of Class 11 kids were espied going to the toilet.Then another followed. I was sitting in a place from where I saw this picture unfolding. After waiting for a while ( the time taken to take a pee), my suspicions were aroused. I walked casually towards the boys toilet and what did I see ? The boys were having a conference with the days question  paper being the topic of discussion. Oh Boy ! They saw me and their faces turned pale ! For a moment things were frozen in time ! How I wished I had my camera ! I shunted them off but one of them came back saying he had to go to pee ! I didn't allow him but he persisted. It turned out I was more persistent. Poor chap, he had no option but to scamper  back to his class postponing his desire to empty his bladder.   


Then another interesting incidence occurred. A boy from the eight class had come to do u now what and he walked into the bio lab where a another (of the same class) was giving his exams without an invigilator. I walked upto the door and saw the first one writing the answers with the help of the other ! Well it was quite a day of incidences ! 
Nonetheless, there are others who honestly try to make a concentrated effort to get through the exams on their own effort. While others make an honest appeal to the teachers (silently) through the art of doodling. The attached doodle makes it more clear. We live and Learn, don't we ?