First among equals, our chance to introspect
None had ever imagined in the wildest dreams about the situation which the Covid-19 pandemic has created, the world over. It has literally brought the topmost among the beings of this planet, down to their knees. Otherwise till now, man was living under the notion that he is the ruler of all other beings, vegetation, seas, mountains, skies and everything else for that matter. Everyone else was at his mercy for their survival. And many other such misconceptions led God’s prime creation to go on committing one blunder after another to the extent of becoming a dictator.
Man overlooked the fact that the other occupants of this planet too have an equal right over the resources which nature has granted. Becoming a usurper of others’ rights came easy to him but it did not go well with the Creator. Overcome by man’s ingratitude and waywardness, nature tried bringing mankind on track by issuing warnings at regular intervals but to no avail.
It is the story of the ‘supreme’ occupant of this planet, who has let his Creator down. And because his recklessness was exceeding all limits, the results are there for all to see. We are compelled to stay indoors to keep ourselves safe from an all-powerful virus; but on the contrary the whole vegetation, birds and animals are having a whale of a time breathing in fresh, clean air. The azure sky in its primitive form, is a treat for any onlooker; more so when countless stars and the moon add to its glory at night. More birds frequent our houses these days, chirping raucously, fashioning a rhapsody of sorts.
The seemingly narrow roads wear a deserted but much wider look these days. The truant silence, stillness and tranquility are suddenly all pervasive. These conditions are in fact, recommended for a stress-free life but look at the kind of price we are paying for it. Such surroundings could have been here every day, had we lived according to nature’s laws by using the resources conservatively, which were a free gift to us. All other inhabitants except for the humans have adopted simplicity, grace, patience and tolerance which are the basic qualities of nature. Disobedience just does not occur to them.
A neighbour remarked about the present sloweddown life, “It seems as if we’re going back to older times.” We all know that normal times are going to be back. But now that we have time on hand, let creativity take charge. When the history of lockdown during this corona phase is written, so many artistic creations will be credited to this period. It is also time to introspect and decide on the changes in our lifestyle that we intend to make now onward. Each one of us has to treat it as a personal issue; amended priorities may ensure that the system is not unhinged like this in future.
ALL OTHER INHABITANTS EXCEPT FOR MAN ADOPTED SIMPLICITY, GRACE, PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE, WHICH ARE THE BASIC QUALITIES OF NATURE