Lockdown Diaries: Living, working, laughing in times of COVID-19

Itna sannata kyon hai bhai?” (Why so much silence?) My first thought as the 21-day lockdown began yesterday (March 25, 2020). Not a single man-made sound – no people talking, no clanging of utensils in kitchens, no sound of vehicles, no really annoying sounds of ongoing construction work. Aahhh bliss! It’s amazing to realise how much we contribute to pollution in the world – air and noise. Google Maps show usually key congested roads in metros all cleared up due to the country-wide 21-day lockdown currently in effect. 

Even as India and the world are now getting used to working from home, I humbly submit to having a headstart there – I have been working from home since January 2016. I’ve had so many people calling me up to say that now they realise how I must feel being confined to home mostly, being a person with disability. Well, I was confined to a 6.5 ft x 3 ft hospital bed for two months after my accident, so having the whole house to move around is.... umm liberating! 

We are not used to forced stay in confined spaces for long periods of time. So, this 21-day stay-at-home directive will soon get on one’s nerves after some time. The very kids/ husbands/ wives/ parents/ pets whom we usually miss spending time with on normal crazy work days, will soon seem pesky interference after a certain point. How does one maintain social distancing in a 500 sq ft flat? Lucky are those who live in individual houses with lawns and courtyards, especially during Covid-19 times. 

My mantra is to set a daily routine and stick to it come what may. The lockdown is not a licence to do-what-you-want. Being a part of the media fraternity, especially trade media, it is work as usual for me under unusual circumstances. Managing a team that is working remotely, discussing story ideas, monitoring everyone’s work, doing an extraordinary amount of coordination work, and to top it all, also managing household work like cooking and cleaning since the maid can’t come for work, and firefighting within the family – it’s all part of a day’s work. How do you keep an ultra hyper-active 12-year old busy and keep him from driving everyone up the wall? If you have found out the successful formula, kindly share it, bahut saari duwayen doongi

Along with the medical fraternity, state and central administration, police & defence personnel, the entire media fraternity, too, is out there in the field. TV reporters, with faces covered by masks, hands encased in surgical gloves and mike in hand, are working round the clock to bring the latest news updates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual conference with the media fraternity on Monday, March 23, 2020, where he stressed on the crucial role media can play in spreading awareness amongst the people, in fighting fake news, and helping the Government reach out to people across the length and breadth of the country. He called media an essential service, especially in these challenging times. 

Virtual conferencing could well be a new way of connecting post the lockdown. It saves time on travel, is quick to connect, gets the work done as in an actual meeting. Will explore it more over the coming days. 

There will be random thoughts, some keen observation, also some analysis on the top media news and happenings. Adgully’s intent is to keep the positivity high amid these challenging times. We are all in the same boat. Some sectors will be more hard hit than others, but with the entire economy impacted, no one can escape the aftereffects. Through our news reports and interactions with the industry honchos, Adgully will focus more on how various sectors are battling it out, how they are keeping the morale high and the contingency plans that they are putting in place. 

It may seem like Thanos has flicked his infinity stones clad fingers and the world’s population is getting wiped out. But we are a resilient race, especially we Indians and our ingenious jugaad mindset. There is hope around the horizon, just keep moving towards it. 

Stay Safe. Stay Distanced, but connected. See you tomorrow.

 

Also Read:

COVID-19 impact: Print media battling on many fronts

COVID-19 Impact: NBF calls immediate measures to overcome business crisis

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