COVID-19: PANDEMIC OR OPPORTUNITY

COVID-19 LOCK-DOWN: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

In the last 2 months, COVID-19 has become an enchanted term in every household. Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused huge losses of life and has become a great challenge worldwide. We have witnessed different reactions from all over the world. Some people are making a mockery out of it, some are frightened, some people are enjoying the lock-down holidays and there are some people who are working tremendously to save our families as well as finding a solution to this. But what am I doing?

LOOKING FOR SOME POSITIVITY!

I am observing. I am trying my best to find some positivity in between all these events. And to my surprise, I succeeded. I found something meaningful to satisfy my curious mind. That one reason that made me feel there is positivity in  every thing was the news of the reduction in pollution and enhancement in the air quality index from all over the world. Now, this is something good.

I can feel the freshness of the air in every breathe I take. This miracle happened just within 2 months of complete lock-down all over the world. I can see the mountains that I used to see from my terrace in my childhood, I can see some stars twinkling which once covered itself with the dark blanket of dust and pollution. But wait....., am I the only one who can observe these changes?...I guess not. It is interesting to know that when the news of COVID-19 and the complete lock-down was announced all over the world, the roads which were once filled with huge traffic have now become the path for wild animals, the parks which were once filled with the noise of children have now become the resting ground for birds and animals. It seems to me that they have eagerly waited for these days to come. Don't you think this is being inhumane and selfish of us to fulfill our dreams at the cost of others? I can feel this injustice.

Coming to the point, the only motive I have to share these things with all of you is that - its time to change. I can see the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point which is demanding from all of us - a change in our lifestyle, to redefine the way we work and carry out our daily activities. We need to understand and explain that all that is born on this planet are equal and have equal right on this planet, its resources and humans are no different. We are not superior to anyone.

When we talk about change, what steps do we need to take to achieve this objective?

1) What you feel is right

There is no exhaustive list that we can follow. One thing that we need to understand is that we would not do a favor to others by giving our efforts to bring this positive change rather it is our duty. The day we start thinking in this way, we are likely to find our ways of bringing this change without any need for an explicit list. That day won't be far, when we would remember COVID-19 as a revolution instead of a pandemic.

2) Changing the way we commute or travel

                                             
                                                                                                                   

If we talk about the past few years, some many people and groups are continuously promoting cycling for small commute, bike-sharing, and making extensive use of public transport. Don't you feel its time to take these things seriously? People say that more and more roads need to be constructed to overcome the increasing traffic but nobody asks for setting an upper limit to the number of vehicles a household can own. 

In European countries, people have already switched to cycle and I am thankful to them for their contribution and being a role model for people in other countries. Its time that people from all over the world demand an effective public transport system. Its time to switch.

3) Work from home (WFM)

Work from home has become the new norm and the credit goes to COVID-19. There was a time when the companies were reluctant to allow their employees to work from home but now the scenario is different. I am eagerly waiting to see the emergence of new job opportunities based on WFH post lock-down. This is beneficial for both - companies as well as employees. The two major benefits that will accrue to everyone are savings in time and money. I am hopeful to see this as an opportunity for women who leave their jobs for their families and children.

CONCLUSION

So you see there can be many more ways through which we can bring positive change for the betterment of our environment and ecosystem. Always remember that we are not doing a favor but it is our duty towards our mother earth and our wildlife family.