First Lady's advise: Hibernate like a bear to avoid Covid

“Corona has brought the world to its knees. If you follow social distancing norms you can avoid the disease. In the ongoing crisis, you are either the virtuous agent of the solution or the destructive part of the problem. Shahla Qadri, wife of the DC

—–

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, May 22

Shahla Qadri’s passion for sport can put enthusiasts to shame, although it is another matter that the virus has now forced her to replace her first love with her second—social activism. Like a seasoned coach, she discusses the art of fast bowling threadbare.

“Just see the strips in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England where greenery is all pervasive. These are the nations which have produced top drawer speedsters a dime a dozen, including Alan Donald, Frank Tyson, Bob Willis, Dennis Lille, Jofra Archer and Richard Hadlee. The rule is that India never had bowlers who could make the cherry bounce and swing. Kapil Dev was an honourable exception. And it is always an exception that proves a rule,” said the First Lady, a tag thrust upon her by virtue of being the wife of the Deputy Commissioner.

She tells you the difference between a Chinaman and a Googly and also dwells upon the effervescent, but controversial career of “magician par-excellence” Shane Warne. She adores football icon Diego Maradona, but does not justify his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal which, she says, was “against the spirit of the game.” She is an avid fan of tennis. Wimbledon is her favourite tournament.

Apart from sport, the erudite Qadri shows an interest in how corona has brought the world to its knees. “If you hibernate like a bear and follow social distancing norms you can avoid the disease. In the ongoing crisis, you are either the virtuous agent of the solution or the destructive part of the problem,” she says.

She is a regular visitor to the Leper’s colony in Dinanagar and every now and then asks officials to ensure the well-being of the 50-odd families living there.

“The biggest disease these days is not corona or leprosy; it is the feeling of being unwanted. It remains my concern to touch people with leprosy, trying to show in a simple action that neither are they reviled nor are we repulsed,” she opines.

She directs the officials that all families should be given ration kits regularly.

In her capacity as the Chairperson of the Red Cross Hospital Welfare Section, her visits to the OPD of the Civil Hospital have been more regular than before.

“The OPD was under-staffed and patients had to endure and endless wait for their turn. I have roped in some volunteers. They are doing a superb job and now one hour wait has been reduced to five minutes,” she says with a smile.

Qadri says, “We have to understand that we are riding this corona tiger and are not directing it. If the tiger runs amok, we never know where we will end.”