Today was Day 5 of the 21 day lock down in India. It was a Sunday and hence on work front there was no action. It was a relaxed day. I helped my daughter with a game that involves creating mechanical models using different parts. It was fun. Something I did after so many years.
Later on I spent some time on Whatsapp and Facebook. I cam across many articles and videos that clearly points finger at China for the corona virus outbreak that is troubling the entire world. Another disturbing news I learnt was about role of CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal in migration of laborers from Delhi to UP and Bihar amidst the nationwide lock down. I really do not understand why he behaved in such an irresponsible manner.
In the afternoon, post lunch, we again played housie online with friends like yesterday. Participants were from different places namely Borivali, Goregaon, Bandra, Nagpur and Thane. It was fun. Two rounds of housie were played. In the evening watched a Malayalam movie. Then I practiced Shambhavi and Surya Kriya. It energized me. After about half an hour break, had dinner. Post dinner, I watched news and again there is strong suspicion on China for spreading the deadly corona virus. As of today 27 people have succumbed to this deadly virus in India and there are over 1000 positive cases. I hope that we are able to contain the spread of the virus and Indians adhere to the lock down sincerely for this.
I look forward to some positive news tomorrow for India and the world. Good night!
#21DayLockDownInIndia
Today was the 4th day of the 21 day lock down. It was a non working day being a Saturday. I woke up late. After having breakfast, arranged a Google Hangout session for my daughter and her school friends. Though only 3 of her friends joined, they were excited to be able to interact with each other through video conference. I then stepped out along with my wife for grocery and vegetable shopping. It wasn't a big struggle today. Grocery shop was operating with some restrictions but it was still open. We were able to get most of the items that we were looking for. Vegetables were costlier. On our way back bought some milk as well.
Once back had a good warm shower and then had lunch. Post lunch we played housie online over Google Duo with friends. It was fun. Participants were from Thane, Borivali, Goregaon, Bandra, Ambernath and even Nagpur. Tickets were bought using Google Pay and the prize money also distributed using Google Pay. We had tea and snacks while playing housie. Post the game of housie, I did my Shambhavi and Surya Kriya practice. It lifted my spirits. I then spent some time playing candy crush on a tab. I managed to quickly clear off 4-5 levels.
We had dinner around 9 pm. Once done with dinner, daughter insisted on playing carom. After playing 2 rounds of carom, she wanted to play Ludo. Somehow the lock down seems to have got us to do things we otherwise would not have done. Mostly weekends were spent going out. Staying indoors made us play the games that we used to play during our childhood days. Every cloud indeed has a silver lining.
#21DayLockDownInIndia
Today was day 3 of the 21 day lock down in India. The number of death recorded in India reached 20 with over 875 cases. Though untimely death of even a single person is worrisome. Considering the situation in other countries, we seem to be doing better. I hope we can reverse the number of cases and prevent any more deaths to happen.
The work from home continued and so did the conflict with my wife regarding who occupies the meeting room (bedroom). I started my day a bit late today, around 10 am. The reason being that I had a 7:30 pm meeting scheduled. I spent time working on different work related assignments.
Before getting into the 7:30 pm meeting, I completed by Shambhavi (meditation) practice. It did give me a boost of energy and I was able to actively participate in the meeting despite being end of my work day and work week. In the meeting, I interacted with participants from UK and Chennai. The common factor connecting all of us was Corona and the lock down caused due to it. For last 2 weeks, I do not think there would have been a single day spent without uttering the word Corona or discussing the inconveniences caused due to it.
Despite, it being a Friday, I was not too excited about the weekend. The reason being that I won't be able to go out. The only thing that is assuring is the fact that I am with my family. There are still 18 more days to go and I hope we reach that milestone without any more deaths or increase in number of positive cases.
#21DayLockDownInIndia
Today is Day 2 of the 21 day lock down in India. I woke up bit late
around 8 am. I then attended a work related meeting with a coworker operating from Australia at 9.30 am over Skype. Talking to her I came to know that the cornovirus has impacted them too.
I then took a break from work for having my breakfast. Post breakfast I resumed my work. Work from home is
not an enjoying experience at all. I always prefer to go to office. However, when survival itself is at
stake, you have to adapt. There is a constant challenge to stay motivated and not get distracted. One has to be mindful of the fact that your team members are operating remotely and so it is necessary to be responsive over email and chat. It is not the same as tapping on your colleagues shoulder sitting next to you for a quick discussion.
One of my bedrooms becomes the meeting room for me and my wife. Unlike office there is no way to book the room in advance. When I have a call, I leave the living room and head to the bedroom so that others do not have to go silent during my call. Similarly when my wife has a meeting I have to vacate the room for her and step out. It becomes interesting when we both have a call or meeting. Though there is another bedroom, wifi connection being weak, there is a risk of call getting disconnected due to poor internet connectivity. When installing the router, I had taken the decision intentionally so that family members do not confine themselves in the bedroom. Who on earth would have thought that such a day would be witnessed when home would become office.
I continued with my work for the day and in the evening, I am glad that I did Shambhavi Mahamudra. I had resolved to do it every day for the next 21 days. It does help in calming the nerves and getting the body and mind to relax. I also felt positive after the meditation session. Extremely important when all the news you hear is depressing.
The scene outside is grim. People are not venturing out. Even if they do, it is to ensure that family has food on the table or for medicines. One virus by the name Corona has impacted everyone in the world and the outcome is the same everywhere. There are also some fools out there who think they are strong enough for the virus and risk venturing out. Some even are doing it in groups. They do not understand that the virus is not programmed to exclude anyone from its impact. Though senior citizens and children are at more risk, the teenagers, youth and middle aged population are not immune to the virus.
At the end of day2, I hope and pray that we all survive these tough times and come out stronger. I am sure we will appreciate the freedom we had and also lead our lives in a much more humble manner. Coronavirus has proved that despite being scientifically and technologically advanced, we are still vulnerable.
#21DayLockDownInIndia
Prime minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi announced a 21 day lock down to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in India. The virus claimed to have been originated from Wuhan in China as far back as November 2019 has been causing havoc all over the world. India also has seen around 12 deaths due to the virus as of today. Today is day 1 of the 21 day lock down announced by the PM yesterday in his address to the nation at 8 pm.
It is Gudi Padwa today, the Maharashtrian new year. However, the mood around is not the one of celebration. Every body is anxious about what is going to happen. People are in panic mode as there are apprehensions about availability of essential items. It is risky to venture out as crowded places can lead to risk of getting infected. At the same time, I feel that this new year, could be seen as an opportunity to look at the situation from a new perspective. How about looking at Gudi Padwa as a day that will change things for the better? How about seeing it as a sign of hope for better times ahead. Starting today, every day, I will keep track of my thoughts, feelings and experiences of being confined to home due to the lock down. I have also resolved to practice Shambhavi mudra (a meditation practice) daily effective today for the next 21 days.
On day1, after waking up I was thinking about all the challenges with respect to the lock down. How will we get essential items? What about people who do not have a work from home option? Small businesses and daily wage laborers have to face challenging times. I do not know how they will be able to earn their livelihood. I hope that neighbors and friends help each other during these difficult times.
Though it was a holiday on account of Gudi Padwa, I had a work related meeting to attend at 2:30 pm. After having breakfast, I tried to explore options to order groceries online. None of the options were working. So, after 12 noon I chose to venture out. None of the grocery shops were open. I was informed that shops will remain open from 8 am to 12 pm only during the lock down.. I then went to a medical store to buy a medicine that my neighbor needed. Post that, I went to a vegetable and fruits shop. I bought some fruits and came back home.
Only handful of people were there on the streets. After reaching home, I took bath and ensured that all my clothes and the mask I used when stepping out are soaked in hot water as a preventive measure against risk of any infection. I then had my lunch and got ready for a work related meeting. The meeting saw participants from 3 different countries, all participating from home due to same challenging situation in their respective countries caused by the same virus. World is indeed a small village. A virus originating from China has impacted the whole world.
After the meeting, I chose to play cards with my daughter. She enjoyed it. I also could take my focus away from frustrating and depressing thoughts. Next I plan to do Shambhavi mudra (meditation practice) which involves some yoga and pranayam as well. It is one of the ways I figured out to stay fit, both physically and mentally.
I will be back tomorrow.
#21dayLockdownInIndia
Today is the first day of 2020. Wish every one a prosperous and Happy New Year. Many say that it is just a change of date and nothing really changes. Yes, that is true. New Year resolutions will be made to be forgotten. Some goals will be decided to be pursued. As days pass they may get abandoned. I still feel that a New Year should be looked forward to. At some point of time you need to make a start. If a change in date helps then why not see it positively.
I always look forward to this change in date as an opportunity to reflect on the year that passed and mentally prepare for the year ahead by identifying some goals. Few of them are realized, some of them are abandoned. It doesn't really matter. The act of reflection does help in figuring out what went wrong and how you can take some corrective action in the coming days to do course correction.
I am glad that I was able to stick to the Daily Doodle challenge for 31 days without fail from 1st December, 2019 to 31st December, 2019. It was a nice experience wherein I could realize that it is not that difficult a thing to be able to draw. There are some tricks and techniques you can use to improve your skills and use your creativity. Effective today I will not be coming up with Doodles on a daily basis anymore. My focus now will be on Mission BBM - May2020. This does not mean that I will be stopping it totally. I will still randomly come up with Doodles and may use it as image for my blog articles. I will also be using my Doodles to help with my learning efforts. As you know a picture is worth a thousand words.
I am looking forward to positive changes this year both on personal and professional front. I have already identified goals for this year and will work towards fulfilling them. I did reflect today on the things that I did not do right and have identified the steps to be taken to do course correction. 2020, will be a year of implementing the changes and moving ahead.
Once again, wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
Image by
Samad Khakpour from
Pixabay
