As we come to the close of 2020 and welcome the year 2021, we reflect on Covid-19- the first modern pandemic that has upended life around us. . Everyone is talking about how badly it has affected the economy or how people have lost their jobs. However, if we choose to look at the silver lining there is another side to every story. Events like the pandemic are not new to human civilization. History teaches us that during each of these downturns, fountains of hopes and numerous success stories flourished too. With the New Year dawning in, there is much speculation about the year 2021, mixed with anxious hope. We want to remain hopeful yet there is also trepidation. A young student reminds us of the beauty and blessings of life around us and the importance of staying positive.
The Tetso family wishes all of our readers a Happy New Year 2021. May the new year bring in new hope, new meaning and new purpose to our lives.
LOCKDOWN AND 2021: AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW
We all agree that the pandemic has brought everything to a standstill and led to a slowdown in all our life in every possible manner. Like many people, I used to be anxious and paranoid whenever I read bad news about COVID-19. But I soon found the pandemic was actually a great learning and a very unique opportunity. As an old saying goes- “There is good in every evil”, a simple short sentence yet so powerful. The lockdown has made us reflect on the many assumptions that we hold close to our hearts. It has brought individuals from across the planet, irrespective of status, wealth, age or citizenship, to come together with a common purpose. This break has taught us to evolve, upgrade and accept the realities of life with a high degree of resilience. All these days, we have been thinking of our existence.
I’m aware of everything that has been taken away from us due to this situation and sadly we cannot do anything about it. It’ll take a little patience and support for us to master this crisis, but together we can do it. It’s important for us to realize that the pandemic is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and that we are living a history. It has brought fresh focus on personal health and healthcare systems. We will take a more holistic approach to the subject, post pandemic. It has given new benchmarks for a cleaner environment. Since we were kids, we all have been taught to wash our hands every time we’ve been to a place that could have been dirty, but with the onset of COVID- 19 crisis, it was as if we were discovering the value of washing hands for the very first time.
Not being able to go about life as usual can help us recognise all the little good things in life, making more time to engage in hobbies or activities that we’ve neglected for a while. I wasn’t appreciating many things and I have given importance to so many things which weren’t important at all. I realised that playing board games, learning how to cook, gardening and even indulging in some innocent gossip with my family wasn’t bad at all. The realisation that bonding with family is important was reinstated. It taught me to love, to listen, to care, to respect and to help, not only to love but also to love the little things in life. It was a time for deep reflection and realisation. It paved the way to take things slow and savour even the smallest experience in life.
It also has given us a realisation to minimize our dependence on others to be self-sufficient or at least self sustained, talking about which we have seen many of our people engage in growing vegetables in their own kitchen garden, youths and individuals setting up their own business by making and selling their own products like mora, baskets, baking, etc. We are also witnessing young aspirants making their own cosmetic lines. All these add up to a new venture in the field of commercial platform, encouraging young minds to be independent and responsible individuals. Even our government has launched the “Yellow Chain” an e-platform to promote our local business and entrepreneurship in the state. Let’s turn this pandemic into an opportunity to discover our potentials that we never thought we possess. As it is said that good times make weak people and tough times tough people, it is a call to arm and empower yourself in the fall of adversity.
Above all, I think it has given us a mirror to reflect and uncover the hidden problems in our society, reflecting the very real risk that is menacing us in spite of our technological progress and our profit- hunger society. But it is only through doing so that we can confront them and try to make our society better. Let us not forget that the Lockdown has offered us an opportunity to learn and unlearn certain things and thus get reintroduced to ourselves with a different perspective. This period has offered us space for growth, resilience and reformation in our mind and thoughts.
Last but not the least, I urge all those who are reading this to take care of themselves and stay positive always. Remember, sometimes when things are falling apart they actually may be falling into place.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org