Lockdown gave time to introspect about our priorities, writes Annesha Dutta

June 5: I have been staying in Delhi with my husband since 2017. Life in a city looks attractive and glamorous but as they say “All that glitters is not gold”. Everyone has become materialistic and selfish in a big city. Nature is neglected and even if one wants to enjoy Mother Nature, he/she cannot because of ever-increasing pollution. We all have welcomed “2020” with a lot of hope, but little did we know that soon we will be entering into a pandemic situation. After sudden announcement of nationwide lockdown by the government, life came to a standstill. Initial days of lockdown were full of fear, uncertainty & doubt, but with the passage of time, people got to see the positive sides of the situation.

Delhiites are used to constant noise and distraction, the lockdown has helped to find solace in quiet place within the four walls of their homes. The blue sky and birds chirping is an ethereal experience in Delhi with a AQI level below 50, whereas earlier, we have experienced AQI 400 above. We human beings have done innumerable destruction to the earth, COVID-19 has delivered unusual environmental benefits: cleaner air, lower carbon emissions, a respite for wildlife.

These days are different for me. I have asked my domestic help not to come for both of our safety until things  normalises a little. But I made sure she gets her remuneration timely. My husband is working from home. We can now spend more time together though he remain very busy with his work but he make sure to steal some moment to spend time with me. I have always been a cooking enthusiast and I must say this lockdown has increased our appetite and hence trying new recipes. I was thinking to start my career all over again after a gap of three years and this is the best time to self-introspection and surely did help me to get the clarity.

One of my next door neighbor recently lost her job due to COVID-19. While speaking with her, she shared with me how things were going on. She was little sad but she was happy she can now spend more quality time with her family, her son needs much more attention then ever as he has to attend online classes, do regular home-works and all; her mother-in-law came to visit them from Assam got stuck here in Delhi who has now become restless for going back. I am sure every person has a different story to tell at this juncture. I sometimes feel very low thinking about the poor people who are mostly affected during this crisis, we are trying to do our bit and I think everybody else should.

This pandemic situation taught us “Life is vulnerable” then why to hold grudges against anyone, why to be so engrossed in our work that we forget to check on our loved ones. Let’s hope in this challenging time, we will rejuvenate and evolve as a better version of ourselves.

(Annesha Dutta is originally from Barak Valley but at present is settled in Delhi)