Update

It was like yesterday, we welcomed a new year, but we had already come to the end of a month of the year. January, a month to be refreshing and cheering up following the Tamil festival and cool weather, had become a month of great exhaustion, and on the other hand, the cool weather had come worsening the state while one is ill.

More than a week has passed since I touched the laptop. My health took a setback with fever, abdominal infection, and loose motion dragging me out of the course of regular activities. To put it simply, I'm not a person who takes afternoon naps, but all these days I was forced to take it with exhaustion and from sleepiness nights. My fatigue almost went to a state of IV therapy, but I didn't go that far and managed with ORS and chyme to sustain against the heavy dose of antibiotics. And I can understand the seriousness of the infection from the gripping pain in the abdomen. 

Now, after completing the course of medication, I'm slowly coming out of nausea and tracing back to normalcy. The past week was quite difficult for us, and I had trouble attending the restroom more times; the worst phase was at night, with no one to help mom and dad. I never faced a situation like this and am still reclaiming my previous condition and hopefully will do so soon as I  plan a short trip before the winter season closes. 

The covid doesn't seem to be an issue these days, except the consoling fact that many people wear the mask in public, either due to awareness or fear of paying fines. The govt. to comes to slack mood or deliberately doing so because of emerging local body election, despite the omicron at peak, many people move along with the symptoms of same but untested. Covid almost added to the norm, and the only thing we have to do is keep the system running smoothly until some changes occur. 

We are living at the best and worst at the same time. The worst is undoubtedly the deadliest covid, a tremor that keeps shaking the entire earth and killing millions, and the best is that we came up with a vaccine that quickly, and ever in history, to shield the people from the spikes of covid. I can't imagine a situation now without the vaccine; what a great source of life our scientists found, and many still hesitate to take, and some skip the second dose while the booster began. I wish everyone joins this war to break the chain that confines us in the embrace of covid.

I hope you all are safe and progressive.

Omicron Vulnerability?

Omicron is spreading at an incredible pace in India, and the trial for Omicron has stopped here as most of the cases are the same. The possibility of catching the virus has become a no issue as I guess most of the cases of mild fever or cough and cold should be Omicron, including myself. It began with a throat cramp, improved with cold symptoms, and mild fever. After medication - 3 days of antibiotics and cold medicine, I have improved to the point where I can type this post on my laptop. Perhaps, the mild symptoms of Omicron and 2 doses of vaccine help fight this stage.

First, my brother experienced the same few days early as mine, and now, my aunt also faces the same. It stops me from doing anything that I'm interested in rather than watching tv and listening to music since tired or annoyed by the cold symptoms. I skipped two days off of regular physiotherapy. I keep checking with the oximeter that reads normal, and the temperature is too normal to keep away the anxiety.

Though I know Omicron isn't life-threatening for those who took the vaccine and even unvaccinated face any serious issue or go to ventilation condition, the weaker immunity as mine has to be cautious. Our state Tamil Nadu has gone on night and Sunday lockdowns as cases grow as 2 thousand per day, and further restricting or relaxing depends on the increase or decrease of the virus spread. But hopefully, it looks like at the speed of rising, it perhaps falls short and disappears quickly from the society. 

With two years of experience related to Covid, we should be well aware of the reasons for that and adapt to the new lifestyle, which is already 2 years old.  But I am still annoyed hearing that some people haven't taken a dose of vaccine and fall into the custom of masking their jaws. For example, our servant maid doesn't wear the mask properly - at least she took the vaccine. And because of that, my mother wears a mask whenever she enters the kitchen. 

I hope you all are safe and following the covid protocol to prevent being affected.

Take care

Masks and Events

Masks have become mandatory in the period of the pandemic. Just because I didn't go out much, I did not experience the difficulties of wearing a mask much - except going through my brother's engagement and marriage last year, and the baby showers of my cousin at the beginning of the year and sister-in-law's yesterday. Mask doesn't become a matter in my life. I wear a mask only when I go for an evening walk on Sundays or guests visit our home. Since the members in our home follow the protocol sincerely leaves me pretty casual at home, and even seldom do they miss a thing or two, I remind them in earnest. 

The difficulty I experience - wearing a mask - is most difficult to speak and respond through a smile. It's not easy for me to lift my hands above the elbow unless I use a board or the wheelchair tray to support the hands, so usually, my response to those gestures by hands to say hi or bye is replay through a smile and headshake.  I got mild neck pain yesterday at the sister-in-law's baby shower responding to the relatives and friends visited the venue. I wore a mask the entire occasion, though it wasn't much difficult to complain rather than talking and responding to the guests, I hesitated to speak and converse wearing the mask. 

I saw two kinds of people at the event, those who wore the mask and those don't. And there's a third kind that masks the mouth alone or covers their cheeks. It has been proved that the events like these are the spreading ground of Covid, and keeping this in mind, we invited only close relatives and friends to count about 100 total, but it reached out of hand to about 150 members. 

I decided to stay in a corner to keep distance myself from others. I also minded them neither they check me nor not; I tried to stay away until finding me on their own. I like to interact with people and hear stories from their corners, and occasions like these are bridges to connect with people from distant relatives and friends, but now it is out of reach due to pandemic block. Though we know it's a temporary block, the occasion like these are limited in my life as I don't attend every event that takes place in our family, the pandemic has suppressed the leftover chances. 

The venue (of the event) is close to my house, so I went there in my wheelchair, and the hall located on ground level made my attendance easy. My uncle accompanied me to and fro the hall, And also, the event ended well, and those who could not attend the wedding (due to the cyclone then) made a visit to bless the couple. It's also one of the reasons for the rise in the number of visitors. 

Instead of turning better, the situation in our state continues to be the same or to say the cases of covid is slightly rose in last few days increases the anxiety. This event was something possible only because of the decrease in covid cases and relaxed lockdown. It's all in our hands to make such events possible only if all followed the protocol and sustain self-discipline.

RGB Monday

My parents decided to visit my maternal aunt's home and then to Mamallapuram to invite some relatives to the next week's baby shower of my sister-in-law. Taking this as an opportunity, my parents decided to take me out on Saturday, as I haven't gone out since lockdown 0.2; I also visited my aunt's home after five years.

I want to visit my aunt's home sometime and gladly took this opportunity, though I didn't get into her home as we had a short time as we arrived there in the evening. But surprisingly, aunt decided to accompany us on our drive to Mamallapuram, and that way she could spend time with us.  Later we dropped her off at a bus stop on the way home, and she immediately got on her bus and reached home on time. 

It was nice to come out after a long time, and I  could see many changes around me, and some remain the same as before. I could see houses and buildings in bright colors and many developments in road construction and flyovers, easing the traffic. I shared above is one of an apartment painted in different colors in the neighborhood of West Tambaram. I also got a series of sunset shots from the ECR to share in a future post. 

Course Completed!

I completed the 2 doses of vaccination on Saturday after 92 days of 1st dose. 

My parent completed the course of vaccination (with Covishield/AstraZeneca) before I took the 1st dose, and the time period for them then was 45 days. But when I took it, the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) extended the time between the 1st and 2nd doses of the vaccine to 90 days. I think this extension was to make the vaccine available for many, for at least one dose, to keep away from the seriousness of covid.  

For my 1st dose, I visited the nearest vaccination center, and that time it was a total lockdown so accessing the wheelchair wasn't difficult through the empty main roads. Now, the city bumped back to its array of traffic, and steering the wheelchair wouldn't be smooth, but I was in intend of visiting the center if there aren't any options.  

During my 1st dose, I saw the doctors and nurses at the vaccination center getting ready for home vaccination for elders and differently able as soon vaccinated me, as I was the last one to take a vaccine that day. And that was the day home vaccination was launched by the state government to facilitate those who couldn't access the center. So this time, I utilized the facility, and even before we enquired and two days to my 2nd vaccine, guys in two-wheeler came announcing in a megaphone that they would come home-to-home as a special vaccine camp (on Thursday 26 Aug) and the one who doesn't take can take. 

I waited, with a sigh of relief, and I waited the whole day, but there wasn't a sign of vaccination. 

The next day dad went to enquire about the home vaccination drive, and at the center, told there wasn't a home-to-home vaccination camp, and for me, they agree to come home if we arrange transportation. So upon this, dad took my cousin in our car and picked up the nurse from the center, and after vaccinated me (with Covishield/AstraZeneca), dropped her back. The nurse brought one dose for me after being vaccinated for 9 others as one vial of vaccine is injected to 10 people, and once open, it needs to be fully used within four hours. 

Same as the 1st dose, the vaccination went smooth, and I didn't experience any unusual health beyond 48 hours now except for a sore arm. My cardiologist advised drinking plenty of water for 1st dose prescribed blood thinner for a week for the 2nd dose, perhaps because the doctor might want to be cautious. Our state has gone to nill restrictions now, and more liberty with social activities, there's a great chance for a surge in cases and vaccination being the only solution, I'm glad to complete the course to feel secure. But, still being cautious is more than enough. 

சுற்றுப்புற சொர்க்கம் / Ambient paradise

காற்றோடு கவி பாடும் குயில் 

மலரரோடு தேன்  சுவைக்கும்  வண்டு 

கிளையொடு கழைக்கூத்தாடும் அணில் 

கீச் கீச் என்று மாங் குத்தும் கிளி   

அழைக்கும் சைகையில் மயக்கும் மைனா 

மறைந்திருந்து சடசடக்கும் மீன்கொத்தி  

ஆரவாரத்துடன் வந்த தவிட்டு குருவிகள் 

எல்லாம் சேர்ந்து சொர்கத்திற்கு வித்திட்டன. 

translate in eng:

The cuckoo sang with the wind 

Honey-tasting beetle with flower 

A squirrel acrobat with branches 

Mango stabbing parrot shrieks

Myna enchants in the nodding gesture

Kingfisher rattle from somewhere hideaway

Yellow-billed babbler that came with cheers

Altogether,  they sowed to heaven.

Jeswanth, my newfound delight

The Covid seems took a back seat in our state (wishfully slip to a nil stage soon), and we switched into a night lockdown mood since almost all activities are allowed in the state up to 7 pm; we happily continue to downgrade in numbers. Among a lot of negative things crunching us for more than a year and a half, and though we have practiced living among them, there's always a longing for a positive effect. And one significant effect that caused a lot of cheer was my newborn nephew Jeswanth.

My sister (cousin) delivered a baby boy last month, and he instantly took all our attention towards him, and passing a day without seeing him was like something. He's cute, just like every other newborn baby, but he looks special to me in all ways. It's been a long time I felt a baby, and now he has given me that chance with soft touches and gentle strokes on him. I loved the way it feels though I don't know how to define it, it feels nostalgic, reminding me of the distinct essence of my cousins (as babies) who clung to my heart.

I was amused to think that his mother is one of the cousins who I remember carried in my hand, and now I bear another coming out of her. The little boy just started to look at us, and staring into his eyes is magical and mystical as we never know what goes into his mind or is he really staring at us. He's precious and mind-blowing to keep away anything that bothers us in his presence and enclosed by his tiny fingers for grasp feels awesome.

I'm just looking out for words to define his presence. I'm glad we live next door, so it was easy to watch him and bring him home to play. She's my father's brother's daughter, and being her first delivery, she was looked after by us according to the custom; she will be staying with us for about five months. It excites me as I could see him growing sometimes. The last time I came close with a kid was my other nephew, Barath, who doesn't even care to meet me later, but my love for him will remain the same. Then came my former neighbor's kid Achu, who visit us daily since we lived in the same compound before they went on transfer.

The little boy sleeping on dad's lap

Jeswanth is my newfound delight, though I don't believe he will be different from others; I decided not to think anything further rather enjoy his presence and gain cheerful memories to cherish forever.

Covid’s Decline and Govt.’s Leniency

Guys, I’m frustrated by people's response to lockdown 2.0, and they don’t seem to care about the situation unless exposed to the virus or someone from their family or friends circle suffered to death.  The government, too, carries an indifferent attitude in handling the situation despite the lockdown and decline of covid cases; the surveillance of the people's mobility becomes an eyewash.

The covid in India has been a decline despite its continuous threat. Our state Tamil Nadu is still under lockdown, but you won't believe it if you visited because people continue to defy from wandering the streets unnecessarily; the government showing leniency in implementing the restrictions with a chaotic state of what is to be relaxed.

The newly formed state government is happier that the covid is declining and lift their collars as an achievement of their governance. But I don't understand what kind of achievement was this could be when taking no action (as an opposition then without raising a voice or giving pressure on the former government to implement the lockdown, while waiting for election results) when the covid infection rising to a peak and reduces later. If they had taken action earlier (including the former government), we hadn't need to go this far to grab a deal of reducing 1000 cases per day and miserable of losing thousands of lives.

The government is also making a great mistake by removing the officers in the covid experience who have a better knowledge of dealing with the covid issue than the newly appointed officers. Will the government realize this and keep away the prestige of relying on officers appointed by the previous government? 

I could only feel glad that they haven't changed the health secretary to have a base knowledge of the issue. Lockdown had already unlocked; however, they say it was only a relaxation, the people weren't sensible to follow the restrictions, but at least they wear the mask at mass except a few who deny it.

The government reports weren’t reliable, but we have no other way than to accept what they say; now the opening of the liquor shops against everyone’s desire in the state had exhibited their senselessness toward society. I know I bored you all by writing on covid, but I couldn't stop writing, seeing how things work senselessly around me. So here I leave a couple of rain shots (for a change) contrary to the hot summer days, but some evenings cool down by the storm clouds and occasional rains. These cool umbrellas were shot from the balcony, and as I took it through the rail's gap, I cropped these to keep away the steel bars.

Lockdown Purchase and Business from Street Carts

Due to full lockdown from last Monday (24 May), the government had arranged for vegetable carts to sell vegetables at our doorsteps, and here is one of the carts that visited our street. Mom and neighbors picked up the vegetables sold at a reasonable price!

Though it is a good option in the absence of essential shops, I feel like opening the essential shops with a time limit is better than moving carts over the streets, with households wait to see if it comes or not. They have put temporary stalls to sell vegetables rather than sold in trucks and tricycles at some places. But the most inviting thing was the vegetable prices are reasonable, and some sell at wholesale rate.

The permission to sell vegetables in carts and trucks had open doors for those looking for an alternate to earn during the lockdown. Someone, who we know, owns a mini truck, now has started to sell vegetables in place of no business during this period. His wife, being a florist, who has experience in selling flowers, has accompanied him in selling vegetables and fruits. 

Selling in carts has another annoying thing which was shouting in the loudspeaker. The lockdown days are usually quiet, but these full lockdown days, which are extended for another week in the state; annoy, as the vendors come shouting in the loudspeaker. I know it is a temporary one and helps people at large and prevents driving down the streets for purchase. But those who come out keep coming out no matter what restrictions are imposed.

Now, even groceries are starting to sell in the cart, which means the full lockdown could extend for a few more weeks without opening the essential shops. The lockdown seems to work well for our state, and the situation is turning far better and promising. Country-wise too, the covid is declining and soon, would come under control.

But I’m glad I took the vaccine in advance instead of postponing it, as vaccines are in short supply now. I hope you guys will not miss the jab as well. Take care

Choking Covid and Curfew - 2nd wave!

At the national level, covid is slowly reducing, but still, the 0.2+ million cases per day are too much to say even though it's a great drop from 0.4+ million cases a fortnight ago. The death ratio is at 175 an hour! 

We had really moved into an inconsolable phase of life, with every passing one, destroys plenty on its way and that shore up in their support. People are partially too late in realizing the situation, and we have already lost many and continue to hear the silent/siren cry from the wounds as we entered a nil activity from last night. Tamil Nadu state has gone into a complete lockdown for a week with all essential shops closed, except the provision of milk and medical.

Unswerving lockdown comes to force from today. But what seemed like unleashed yesterday, due to the full-fledged lockdown, the day was made easy for the public to purchase their need for the next week as a plan by the government to reduce the cases of covid. Tamil Nadu currently counts 35,000 daily, which is higher among the states of India. As of now, the north Indian states are decline in cases, and the southern states at rising esp. Tamil Nadu is witnessing the worst. Perhaps there could be some hike in the number of cases in the coming days due to the overcrowded and transmitted Sunday.

I hope we soonly come out of this terrific crisis. But not so without loss of lives and struggles. I see covid is teaching us lessons for a lifetime and provide an opportunity to study the attitude and thinking ability of the people in masses. As we all suffer and confine to home, nature is ready for another backseat ride following last year's lockdown series. Birds began to enjoy this transparent environment from fewer transportations and pollution; there's a lot of cheerfulness in the air, fresh to breathe and inspire in place of tiresomeness felt overall.

I see this particular week as significant in the course of driving covid in our state. But we have no option other than this successful formula (of lockdown) followed worldwide, and I predict our state could nearly take a month's curfew to bring the infection under control. It should be a difficult task for the government as well as the public to balance their financial status, but I wish we take all efforts to bring down the covid to never rise, as we all experienced to the extent of enough.

Nostalgic Wind

 

The nostalgic wind blows me

down the memory lane

I cherish the essence of reminiscence

melting down like ice on leaves

as winter gives way for spring.

 

It wasn't a surprise as the season returns

even if relationships aren't in form as before

memories could not resign from office;

the heartstrings feel the gentle strokes

as wind touches the senses.

 

The squirrels and parakeets’ screech

despite their shrieks, the afternoon

remained silent in the void of curfew;

the winged birds fly, and the wind blows

who dares to shut their doors?

 

The wind becomes stronger later

as storm clouds gathered to oppose

the sun shutters its shop earlier; 

the memories of summer rain harvested

as the storm, at last, hit hard on us.

Personal losses from the pandemic

I lost two of my uncles last Sunday to covid. Both are cousins of my mom; one was her father's sister's son, and another was her mother's sister's son - the one I mentioned in a previous post who was in the hospital under oxygen - are aged less than 55. Do covid see the age? The well do immunities survive along with early detection and prevention with mask and social distancing. 

Though we are not much acquainted with the paternal cousin of my mom, she got a lot of memories with him as she used to spend her vacations at grandpa's village playing with her cousins. I have stayed in their village during our vacation too, but I never remember seeing him there; perhaps he was out of the village on a job, our first intro was at his marriage. He was a flooring contractor in Mysore. More than 100 employees are working under him, and a lot had benefited from him. The youngsters from his village and family circle hired by him acquired flooring and become contractors themselves later.

I have been to Mysore twice, and both the time we stayed at his home and looked around the places. The first visit was after his marriage (1997), and the next was 10 years later, by then when he had three little kids. Only 2 weeks back, his elder daughter's engagement took place, and only my mom and brother attended the function following the preventive action. He has just built a big house in his village, and since the outbreak, he stays in the village with his family and makes monthly a visit or two to Mysore.

During one such visit after her daughter's engagement, he got the infection and spread it to his family. Many others who returned to the village from Mysore also had the infection, and they spread it for their share. He was on the ventilator for the last 3 days before he breathed last.

He's a respectful person, and during our visit to his house in Mysore, he treated us with such delight and made sure we are comfortable. His son just admission to medicine, and another daughter at college should be missing his father's support, and his family was dependent on him. Even though there won't be a problem with wealth, but still, the void left by him irreplaceable. 

Almost it was the same with my other uncle, the maternal cousin of my mom, though he isn't a big businessman or someone possession enough to leave their family to feel secure. His death was something that really shattered us, and we never thought he would die as he responded so well for the treatment of more than 10 days in the hospital with the aid of oxygen. And he passed away within a few days of discharge and while eating his breakfast at home.

He's not only mom's maternal cousin; he's my dad's cousin sister's son. So, he's related more than a way to us, and how could we not say his death is a tragedy when there's a series of death in his family. In 2019 his father passed away, and the following year he missed his mother, and in Dec 2020, his brother-in-law died prematurely, which has quite shaken their lives.

He's the one who motivated me to use a computer since he owned a DTP shop, and after I dropped out of school, I started learning computer, and it was through him I bought my first computer in late 2000. Because of the job of long seated, he got a serious back problem and was forced to change his work pattern. He shifted to various jobs, but he couldn't sustain a permanent job or income. He has two sons - one is doing engineering 2nd year and another studying in high school - and the elder boy is a smart and humble being.

I really need to say, his wife, who is also my cousin, is down to earth. And I have never seen someone as patient as her. She has gone through a lot of trouble due to the contradiction with her mother-in-law, but all the time, she was the one to step down, and she never complained about it.   The way she brought up defines her character, and I've seen her from my childhood, and she hadn't changed till now. There won’t be anyone who dislikes her, and what she exercises is all pure love and care.

It was not less than 6 months since she lost her beloved brother, who had been a great support to her financially and emotionally, and I couldn't imagine what kind of mindset she should be now. I could only feel disaster. I truly wish for the welfare of these families, and losing the family heads needn't a definition, and it's definitely a thorn trek for these families to reach the various summit. I hope they are motivated in some way to look forward to driving. Peace

I don’t think I need to define the situation in India as the world watches us; uncertainty continues as we are into the 6th day of the whole lockdown in our state Tamil Nadu. Keep us in your thoughts, please.

The state of home quarantines

I think the government was right when controlling the covid 1st wave. It had correctly predicted the mood and behavior of the people to cover the gateway of the houses with tin sheets as a measure of denying access to the covid patient to come out of the house and spreading the virus. Just because people find it difficult and discomfort, the government dropped the action later. Only notification is stick to the house entrance to indicate a covid positive in the house to warn people exposed to the infection. But people took it as an advantage and began to roam out without any consciousness that they are putting other lives in danger.

Though it is our responsibility to support those in quarantine, the same goes for the opposite to cooperate in similar ways that those who aid us are unaffected by the same. Perhaps because of that too, the cases might rise a bit. I see a little indifference from the government side too, while they say don't come to the hospital if the covid wasn't serious, how do they make sure those in-home quarantines aren’t spreading the virus? In those days, health care workers visit the affected home and spray disinfectant and enquire about their status. Even though it's not possible to check with all as the cases rose 4 to 5 times than the previous wave, we expect some more tightening with home quarantine or more quarantine centers for those who can't afford with their home or indifferent in attitude.

Attitude matters a lot in individuals who are affected by covid because it decides either the infection is confined to oneself to disappear or spread to near ones. With lockdown in the state, the social spreading should hopefully be reducing, but the spread between the families becomes a question. I truly urge those in quarantine to act with consciousness; I know your mindsets are out of concentration, and your sufferings are undefinable and nervous to unending, but along with it, I like to inspire you that you have the social responsibility too to make sure, at least the infection doesn't affect your family. Stay safe, stay away and stay confident.

Covid Continuation and Personal Touch!

Covid hasn't changed its face in India and continues to storm ever stronger. Our state Tamil Nadu is increasing with cases at a range of 1000 per day. Since the assembly election results on Sunday, the yet to form new government has tightened the restrictions to an almost state of lockdown, leaving open the essential shops and limited public transportation. Whatever the government, without people's cooperation, nothing going to work out, but I could see a positive response, or accepting tendency from people, perhaps they continue to see the fierceness of covid 19 on every platform they roam and from their own circle of people. 

Last week one of our family friends died of corona. He's a barber, as well as an artist, who plays the traditional musical instrument Nadaswaram. He has played at all our family festivals, and everyone in our family circle knows him, and he's the only one who had cut my hair from childhood and trim beards once I started to grow. Since the early 90s, he owns a barbershop under the house of our grandpa's, and he succeeds the shop from his father as he becomes old and passed away later. So, until I was able to walk, I cut hair from his shop whenever I visit grandpa's house, and we never paid him, and he used to debit the amount from the rent.

It really saddens all of us, and we couldn't believe he's no more, and before the news become certain, I truly wished it shouldn't be him. I know he's somewhat indifferent wearing the mask, so I stopped calling him lately since the beginning of 2nd wave of covid, and I think now that I made the right decision. We couldn't share our condolences with their family or attend the funeral due to the covid. I wish he rested in peace.

One of my uncles and my mom’s cousin is admitted to hospital for nearly 10 days due to the covid infection, and he has been kept on oxygen. But his condition is far better from the day of admitted, and once his oxygen level becomes stable, he would perhaps be discharged. I have seen the indifference in wearing masks at both the persons I have mentioned above, and their conditions have certain created an impact on others, the importance, and need of wearing the mask.                

I think the people's anticipated price to realize the significance of covid seems so high. The consciousness is something I guess hasn't been obtained well by anyone, including some well-educated to realize what happens around them; forgetfulness is something natural, but how come one forget easily the terrific scenario taking place all over the world. Over a year, shouldn't we have learned to live with the mask? 

The health workers', doctors' lives are oscillating over life or death in preventing and curing the infection, but our roles weren't much greater, and their anticipation wasn't that much. Simple, wear a mask and stand or talk at a distance from each other is enough to improve the situation and quickly get us back to a normal lifestyle. Everyone is stuck in some cage, and liberation is a must to cheer up the body and mind that has been exhausted overseeing the destruction of lives and livelihoods due to covid 19. It's every Indian's responsibility to save our country, to act according to it.  Let's work together.

Regardless humanity

I don't think I need to reveal the situation in India as the world is watching us. Lack of oxygen, inadequate of certain medications to treat the affected, people oscillate for the second dose of vaccine and more on all, the corpses are kept burning, as the death ratio is at 150 an hour. Life seems to be beyond imagination and dreams to be dreadful, and I couldn't stop expressing my grief even I find it a bit difficult to stare at the laptop or mobile.

I realize my problem is with the eyesight, which results in a headache because of my irregular use of specs, but I would require checking with an ophthalmologist since it's been years, I'm wearing the same specs for 8 years.

Some people don't seem to care about pandemics like lockdown. People refuse to believe pandemic a life-threatening, even seeing the worst of their lifetime. Lockdowns or restrictions are unavoidable and certainly, a burden to bear, but with a social concern, we need to go through it; and we cannot be indifferent when our fellow human beings suffer and die in front of the eyes. 

Pandemic does not spare anybody, and everyone is affected in certain ways, and suffering is suffering, either it’s small or big; the path we decided to walk is our choice, and we must confidently face any obstacles that come our way. We’re too late to complain; as we have already traveled a year into the pandemic, couldn’t we have learned a bit or anticipate what could be next?

I think we keep focusing the light more on ourselves than throwing at others to see how far better we are, and anger isn't going to change anything, rather increasing the conflict. A peaceful mind, which a lockdown could abundantly provide if implemented, could unlock better ideas to tackle and improve the lifestyle and livelihood of people. Even boulders get different shapes, from the continuous flow of water, how come a muscular mass, relaxing its stiffness, with a kind of tickle, from a butterfly? The human body is made up of 60% of water couldn't the heart bears a trace of wetness, but the world is watching us with it in the eyes.

Let’s wake up and be conscious of every move we make, keeping in mind our dear ones around us. The spreading of the virus is rapid and ruthless, and if we continue with the recklessness, the result could be worse. I could not hear anything regretful from anyone around me when we're losing thousands of lives daily; it's inappropriate of them to complain of being confined and forceful to wear the mask, rather thinking about the difficulty of those fighting for oxygen. Oh my, where's the humanitarian? Please stop being senseless, and regardless even if you can't do anything.

Thank you

Hide and Seek

 

(A super pink moon from the balcony)

The moon plays hide and seek

The passing clouds like a veil 

On the bride’s face, keeps moving 

Allowing the curious eye of the moon 

To peep at the people with the same intend

The silent Sunday of curfew

Silenced the environment 

The disappeared noise and light pollution 

Helped Illuminate the night 

Ever so bright in the moonlight 

A game of high and low beam 

At the pace of passing clouds. 

P.s. I'm having some mild headaches for the last few days, and so perhaps, I would be keeping away from staring at the laptop sometimes.  Sorry if I couldn't check your blogs or post my blog. Take care

Random knock

Where does the human race rush? 

To wake up only for the sake of selfishness, 

To concern only when it bothers in some ways, 

Blaming others for their indifferent attitude 

And act as if they are right to raise voice  

Against not only the new norms of living 

The principles of humanitarianism 

The countless losses to covid 

Become casual and corpses as firewood 

Economy burns on the altar 

Respect, as if that belongs to ancient 

Ignoring the homebound as ignorant 

Without the knowledge that none spared 

From learning or experience life from armchair 

Is not a difficult thing in the digital age 

And it doesn't mean making money 

Is the only matter in the world?

Out of hand

Covid 19 is out of control in India, and the prevalence of the infection is twice that of the previous year! The situation is terrific to think about what next, as we almost started to walk back on the track of lockdown, with restrictions gripping around. India had crossed a record of 0.2 million per day of covid cases, which is extreme so far and unpredictable further.

Leaving the idiots, who still believe covid is a myth, how come the most being senseless to the pandemic rule of social distancing and masking? But glad to see a development in wearing masks after strict enforcement. And I'm sorry to say, how well did we educate and what kind of awareness we got to behave like deaf and blinds. I'm not to humiliate them, but I write what I thought was that the people who lack some senses are far better than the well-being!

I saw a girl kid in the news bumped on a lady cop for fining her and her father for not wearing the mask in the car, and she was adamant, despite her father's comfort, she told she didn't infect and why should we pay. I don't know should I admire her boldness or worry about her short-tempered attitude at this age of less than 10.

In Cuddalore, district people rush to a hospital to take the covid test, but they don't care about the social distancing or give a thought, what if they aren't infected, the way they throng could stick with the spikes of the corona. I think our days are supposed to be tough ahead, and despite the terrific covid, a lockdown to implement could be a difficult phase to manage on a certain level. On the other hand, the vaccination has picked up speed, and many have volunteered to be vaccinated, which is the only chance we have to survive, and whoever is eligible for the vaccine should not miss the chance.

Beautiful streaks of clouds from a mountain visit a few years back, and it's been two years since I visit the mountains, as well as taking long trips that mostly head to mountains of western ghats. Thank covid for stealing a couple of years from my travel diary.

Covid-21

For over a year, we have been traveling with the pandemic and have dealt with the deadly coronavirus, aka Covid-19, but it's a wonder that still, many are in the mindset of believing it to be a myth. And I could hear people saying that there's no Corona in an indifferent tone, and they further add just be deceived, while I even wonder how they could think like this when the world is at war against coronavirus. 

google pic

Perhaps to say, India is facing its 2^nd pandemic war. Began March, just like the beginning of a pandemic war like last year, the cases of infection have started to rise but 20 to 30 times faster, and we're in a condition more than what we had in the middle of last year had been nearly double. If the elections were the reason for the increased spreading of the virus, why should every other state (without elections) have a similar or vigorous spread of the disease? But one thing for sure is that the indifference of the people upsurged the virus.

Maharashtra alone reported half of the country's corona infections. Tamil Nadu counts 6000 and Chennai alone 1800+ daily. I don't think there's something hidden behind the spreading or fact of covid-19, but perhaps there could be some dispute in the way it traced back then. The government showed some slack when the virus was declining, and people too shifted to uncooperative in the process, so it won't be fair to blame only one side for the spread of the virus.

Vaccination, which started in January, so far has been putting for people only above age 45, but for a population of 1.3 billion, it's not an easy task to do quickly. Only lately, or witnessing the rise of the infection, people had come forward to take the vaccination; and both my parents were vaccinated two weeks back and was scheduled for the 2^nd dose in May.

I could take the vaccine once the age limit is lifted below 35, my current age. Perhaps I need to consult a neurologist before taking a vaccine since my condition with muscular dystrophy. The government is re-enforcing restriction to a latter level, allowing a partial occupation in public places such as malls, cinema halls, transportation, etc. And the unmasked are fined again, which was missed even among the cops is once again on the spree of collecting fees!  

I wish people act as responsible citizens and humans overall in the progress of driving the coronavirus, a threat to the human race; the coming weeks seem too critical for India, and I hope we all stay together in the distance and kick the covid-19 away. The caption is just for fun, and you don't be scared that there's another covid out there. Lol

Neighbor's Garden Flowers

The temperature has started to storm us here in Chennai, and the hot inland wind blowing stronger than the sea breeze has increased the heat. Heat is a common thing during the summer, but I feel it's early for the season, and I terrific what it holds further travel into the season.  Anyhow, I wish it wasn't severe as predicted.

Coming Tuesday, we are going for the state assemble election; the propaganda by the political leaders and candidates are rocking the state at every nook and corner, as the last date for the propaganda being tomorrow. The two main political parties are scorning each other rather than announcing the core activities they supposed to do.

Like how the temperature rises, covid 19 cases in the state and country is rising to an extreme level; the election field has become a hub for spreading the virus. We expected severe restrictions to implement on post-polling, but I don't anticipate a lockdown again, instead, there would be some enforcement to bring down the virus.

Oleanders along the driveway of the neighbor

Coming to the post, I share some of the photos of hibiscus and other flowers I shot from the neighbor’s house opposite us. I hope you remember the post I did here on the neighbor's rebuilt garden, and his hibiscus continues to bloom daily from his neatly arranged pots close to the gate. I take photos of the flowers whenever I see them clearly for a shot, but lately, the neighbor's father (age 94) wasn't well, so was his hibiscus, as he couldn't take care of the garden like before.

Hope you like the photos.

Red Hibiscus

Yellow Hibiscus

White Hibiscus 

Orange Hibiscus

Some cute roses

Linking this post for Garden Affair