Lockdown in India: What are our Fellow Citizens Up to?

People across the globe have gone in the self-isolation phase to prevent the unwanted spread of COVID-19. Besides, countries have called for complete lockdown and India is no different. On March 25, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced 21 days lockdown in India to curb the virus. However, this lockdown phase has positive as well as negative effects on the people.

So, hereby, we spoke to a few of our readers and asked them about this lockdown in India. Furthermore, they are elaborating on the activities they are undertaking as well as the good and bad things about lockdown in India. Let’s see what they all have to say!

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Mithin Selvan

Mithin is an automobile junkie which is why he loves to be surrounded by them. After exploring the four-wheeler luxury market, he is now burgeoning into the field of biking. He is an avid rider and loves traveling to every corner of the world.   

What activities are you undertaking in the self-isolation phase?

As mentioned by the Government, I am not leaving the house and avoiding all human contact. Luckily, I am equipped with future campaigns and work-related situations which is keeping me on the go. Besides, I am eating healthy food and spreading the word of safety measures so that we come out of this epidemic which has affected worldwide. Most importantly, I am keeping myself updated on the Corona dashboard.  

What are you missing the most in this phase? 

Being a social animal, I miss catching up with my buddies. I am missing the chai from the roadside tapri. Besides, the gym being shut is impacting my workout. But thanks to my trainer, because he stays connected on the phone and helps me with workouts to be undertaken at home.

What are the good and bad things about this phase?

👍 Well, I hardly feel there is anything good about this phase, yet I am trying to stay optimistic. I have a huge relief on daily work issues, wherein I am matching myself at my own pace and avoiding long working hours. However, this lockdown in India made me understand what are the household problems which we ignore in our daily routine. Moreover, I have realized that apart from malls, shopping, movies, gym, outings, and parties there is nothing that I have flourished as a hobby. Today, somewhere down the line I have realized that I’ve missed all my good moments, deeds, personal life in these many years.

So, the first thing that I am doing is that I am contacting everyone who has been missing from my life due to job change, society changes, migration, long-distance relatives, etc. Secondly, I am planning to pull my guitar back which is dusty at the moment. So, I have started practicing and trying to cherish this loved hobby once again.

👎 Keeping in mind the Government has advised us on self-distancing. Therefore, like every other individual, I feel like I am going through the worst stage of my life. It all looks like a Hollywood movie or sometimes feels like a sustenance period after the end of World War 3. Nevertheless, the feelings are different every moment and radically change phase-wise.

Also, as a social person, sitting alone is a bit torturous! However, thanks to the digital life and internet which is keeping us connected. I am counting the days, yet the time is running too slow at the moment.

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Amita O’Brien

Amita left a successful corporate career of 18 years to pursue a sustainable living phase. She recently started growing food at her farm using the principles of permaculture. Besides this, she is a certified dog trainer and a home baker.

What activities are you undertaking in the self-isolation phase?

In this lockdown situation, I am honing my baking skills wherein I am baking various delicacies. Besides this, being at home I am keeping an eye on my exercise routine. In addition, this phase is giving me ample time to read.

What are you missing the most in this phase? 

Going on long walks on the hill with my dog which was my daily routine. I am missing it terribly during the lockdown in India.

What are the good and bad things about this phase?

👍 The best part of this situation is that as a community we all are learning to be clean. We are keeping our surroundings clean. And maintaining the utmost hygiene.

👎 My heart goes out for the elderly family members who are all alone battling with the daily chores. They have no help with cleaning and cooking as they have to do everything by themselves.

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Aakash Aggarwal

Aakash is a Mobile Engineer, Growth Hacker and works with a reputed company in Pune. He is a complete digital nomad and a gadget-lover. In his free time, he loves watching sunsets, listening to music or write what he feels! Right now, he is enjoying the scenic beauty of Uttarakhand – his hometown!

What activities are you undertaking in the self-isolation phase?

I am spending the long-lost time, that I never got in 12 years of walking out of the home. Above all, in the last 12 years, I’ve never been home for more than a week. But now, I am spending days binge-watching family, war, comedy series, and movies. And the best part is that my dad is also working from home, so there is an extra dose of fun. Besides, I have always been missing out on the authentic dal makhani, which I can never get back there in Pune. In short, I have been earning back the lost time, which people and logic says is impossible.

What are you missing the most in this phase? 

I am missing the chai and sutta (cigarette) outside my office premises. I feel like I am living a life of rehabilitation. Certainly, lack of nicotine leads to irritation but the clean air of Uttarakhand compensates everything. It is quite a detox. Above all, I miss gossiping outside the office. It helps to relieve the tension (pun intended)!

What are the good and bad things about this phase?

👍 I have been troubling my parents. They are having neck pain as I am asking them to binge-watch web series straightaway from AM to PM. As their by-product, I am learning to make round chapati and exploring cooking ventures – courtesy Nisha Madhulika on YouTube. I am also reading a lot.

Further, it’s good to see woodpeckers and Himalayan monal pollinating the trees, while Himalayan deer and leopards occupying the National Highway. Most importantly, Ramayana and Mahabharat are back, making me feel nostalgic. India has gone 21 years back.

👎 It’s hard to be a part of this large social experiment, without getting out of homes and someday even beds. However, these situations have been prevalent in the hills for ages now. When the temperature drops to negative in winters for 4 months straight then it is like a lockdown situation.

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Priyanka Borkar

Priyanka has been successfully shaping young minds by working as a Kindergarten teacher. Besides that, she is a complete foodie, has an unending love for ice-cream and chocolates. In the meantime, she loves listening to music, is a bigtime movie buff and sings from the bottom of her heart.  

What activities are you undertaking in the self-isolation phase?

My husband and I have different working hours. But with lockdown in India, I am spending maximum time with my loved ones which I hardly get to do otherwise. I am getting ample time to relax.

What are you missing the most in this phase? 

I am missing nothing much in this lockdown. Because whoever I miss during the usual routine is with me and very close to me!

What are the good and bad things about this phase?

👍 Usually, everyone is busy with their commitments and routine. But now, all our dear ones are close.

👎 I am unable to meet people as I would do otherwise. Most importantly, relatives who are far away and would need our help are unreachable.

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Sarang Rajwade

Sarang is an IT professional and an avid ‘dog-lover’. Apart from balancing his professional life, he makes sure to feed stray dogs twice a day. Along with this, he provides medical aid and assures to cure them to the fullest.

What activities are you undertaking in the self-isolation phase?

In this lockdown situation, I am working from home and ensuring complete self-care. I am taking good rest and sleep. Along with this, I am avoiding sending any WhatsApp forwards that fuel rumors. I share very cordial relations with my work colleagues which is why I stay connected with them daily. With this, I keep a tab on their health and mental conditions.

Alongside this, I am spending time watching comedy movies, TV shows, playing online games, cleaning the house and making most out of this isolation time.

What are you missing the most in this phase? 

Despite staying at home, life is in real threat and we may expect adverse effects. Earlier I would walk around freely but now I am always in tension about the unexpected turn of events.  

What are the good and bad things about this phase?

👍 Being in the IT field, I miss spending time with my family. But lockdown in India is giving me time to spend with my family. Consequently, people have started realizing the importance of hygiene, cleanliness, and survival skills with limited resources.

👎 I am unable to meet people as I would do otherwise. Along with us, many daily wage laborers are suffering the most as they are unable to feed their own families. As hotels and shops are not functioning, many stray animals are starving. Yet, as per my capacity, I have been feeding 20 stray dogs in my vicinity. Further, I am providing them with treatment for skin infection and other medical issues.

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On a parting note

Well, life is all about challenges. But the good part is we all are into this together as a huge family. Every person is abiding by the guidelines put forth by the Government. So, what activities are you undertaking to get over lockdown blues? Do share your inputs in comments.