Like an umbrella in the rain,
and shadows of summertime,
a simple breeze off the sea,
keeps out the exhaustion of heat.
I'm at home, unexposed to
sunlight
doesn't mean I unaware of the
trouble,
but being optimistic keeps me
forward
to seek better out of the worst.
The shimmering light reflect
heat,
perhaps, because it is bright
enough,
the diminished shadows couldn't
elbow
like the sun pierce the skin.
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| google pic |
Perhaps to say, India is facing
its 2nd 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 2nd 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
I started to use a wheelchair
only in 2007, as before that, I could walk barely a few steps, so in that
condition, I couldn't think of voting or visit the polling booth. My first
polling experience is quite vivid, and I could still catch the images in memory
when I look up or close the eyes, and it's the same booth I cast my vote in all
the time. Though we shifted to different houses and addresses, my voting had
always been at our native address, so it wasn't a problem each time, and I
still use the voter ID I fetched for the first time - a b/w photo ID of me took
in age less than 20.
We usually cast our vote in the
afternoon to avoid the crowd and was in the same idea this time as well, but
as my uncle insists, we polled in the late morning, and our polling booth was
least crowded, so we quickly polled off. We were given gloves for the right
hand after sanitizing the hands and masks made mandatory, and gladly everyone
followed the rules despite the social distancing wasn't that satisfying.
The room allotted for us was
smaller than last time, so they had to adjust the tables for my wheelchair to
get close to the EVM (electronic voting machine), but still, it wasn't in a
range I could reach; so, my father voted on my behalf on the symbol I already
insist.
EVMs were started to use
partially in India from 1998 to 2004, and from the 2004 general election, EVMs
becomes a voting system in India in place of the ballot box.
Something that always annoys me
after the polling was the question of whom I voted; though I don’t hesitate to
say to whom I voted, those who inquire me don't open their mouth when it was
their turn; and I don't care about it either; as they have voted at least than
those who laze around complaining without doing a thing for the change.
Take the vote ratio in the
capital Chennai; it is much lower than other districts in Tamil Nadu. We
received less than 60% of the vote in the Assembly election, while the
educationally and economically backward districts received more than 75% of the
vote. What this really shows me is how indifferent and conscious we are to fulfill
our democratic duty.
We (Chennai people) live cozily
and get all the development and priorities in the first place, but we aren't
even ready to vote in the election that takes place once in 3 or 5 years.
People like me in a wheelchair could easily skip from voting, but I really
wanted to vote not only because I like to do something for the society and to
assert my right (at least this way), but also like to be an exemplar as well! I
mostly choose my candidate from the individualistic notification for the volume
rather than from the general manifesto his party or organization released to
seize power.
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.
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| 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.
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| Red Hibiscus |
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| Yellow Hibiscus |
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| White Hibiscus |
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| Orange Hibiscus |
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| Some cute roses |
Being a 90s kid, I know how curiously we waited
for this time to make some of the best childhood memories.
Though the days are hot enough, the summer
breeze is always special, especially to me, and it blows me down with nostalgic
memories of the past and a boost to look forward in life. When I think back,
many of my poems or inspiration to write wake up during this time, and the
silent afternoons are the best to connect with emotions and thoughts.
And also, living close to the sea, the cool
breeze that rose from the sea would sway me and flatten the day's hotness!
Beaches are one of the best places to hangout
often during the summer, which I guess is the mindset of all over the world,
but those living close to one would truly enchant the opportunity. Beaches are
my favorite places, perhaps because they're easily accessed here but never
close to the water. Beaches provide small amusements watching through the
activities of people, stalls, and hand carts and for me, the best time to visit
beaches was on the full moon day to see the silvery moon rising over the sea.
There was a time where I visited the beach constantly for few full moon days,
but it's been a year since I have gone close to a beach.
Summer is also a season where we get to taste
ice creams, and this is the time where parents could not deny buying us ice cream when we insist on the sign of summer. On the other hand, there are
watermelon, muskmelon, and mangos, the only available fruits of the season to
take down the summer heat.
The vacations are another interesting thing we
anticipate over the season and planning mostly for a cold region or hill
stations to enjoy the pristine nature and weather. But things aren't the same
now as we started to avoid this season esp. to keep away trouble in accommodation,
booking rates, and the crowd. Still, the
thought of vacation haunts me whenever the temperature takes a toll or someone
reminds me of the time spent together or the mind recollects the moments
cherished.
I hope, you guys too have your favorite season
that connects you in one or many ways. If possible, share few interesting things in
the comment. Thank you
