When I read the title of the invite “our efforts during covid-19 pandemic”; it really made me to blink for a while ; are we really doing any efforts during this pandemic? Then I started looking into what was the last pandemic. A discussions started at home and my father intervened and started quoting number of books and stories of the era that had gone by may be hundred years back. I have dwelled upon on this story on my Facebook (FB id : gurmukh.bawa). This certainly gave a very gloomy picture of the world during 1918 to 1920 when the pandemic named ‘Spanish Flu’ had affected nearly 6% of the population and the country had nearly 1.8 crore deaths! It had a time span of nearly 24 weeks.
Then I realized yes documenting our efforts in such situations is really important. Coming to what efforts I made during this pandemic; first question is why we make any efforts and these are in what direction. Actions at individual level are predominantly to keep the mental faculties healthy and fit and corporate level it pertains to keep the people engaged. I must confess that in such times your hobbies and likes come handy. Being with nature is another way to direct your efforts. Undertaking ‘Do It Yourself Projects’ is yet another. To write for friends and colleagues on Social Media, Blogs and Magazines like Fire & Safety is another. Coming to my efforts during Covid-19 pandemic; I don’t know if I kept a log of it, but one good thing is that I, at times do post my activities on Facebook, primarily for the reason that I do get lot of suggestions and tips to improve my project further and number of likes do motivate me to continue with such activities. At times friends do comments that sir, I never knew that you can do this also! I mean Mopping the Floor and Dishing etc.
From around mid-March I had started getting feelings that something big is going to happen as in all offices at entry we had to wash and sanitize our hands and record the body temperature. Advisory for various activities had started appearing in public domain. I think the first shock in this regard was the (19th March) stopping entry of foreign aircraft in the country! Followed by the Junta Curfew and Lockdown one after the other. I gave my fully efforts to ‘beating Thali & Chamcha, and Ghanta Bhajo’, Light the Candle, honoring the Corona Warriors etc.
I fully utilized my time in sharpening my skills that I had forgotten over the period of time; be it Calligraphy Writing, Engraving, Wire Modelling, Photography etc. all came alive one after the other. Platters from kitchen have improved during the lockdown period. Participation in webinars, zoom meetings, writing for blogs has increased too. On creative front I did develops a unique ‘disk dip pen’, repaired one of my old baton stick that was broken in three pieces, developed a desk for my mobile with the engraving of date and event i.e. ‘9 min. at 9pm on 5th April’, developed how to handle mask video, developed a decoration lamp with a broken coconut shell that was just in two half, did repair to some electronic gadgets, developed a casing for my unique vial pen which has been dedicated to covid-19 pandemic testing.
In this series of creative projects best has been making of ‘Krishna with Wire’ wire used is old rusted wire lying idle in a remote corner. On skilling front did earn certificate in Robotics, Webinar participation etc. learning is an ongoing process and it comes more easily when we calm down and think about our likes and tastes and this lockdown has given an opportunity to that all. One good thing of this lockdown period is that it has made virtual meeting a reality and I too has started hosting and joining Virtual Meetings. Waiting for the freedoms to be announced for the Lockdown-Phase-4.
