‘Contagion has reinforced our bond with nature’
Manpriya Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 25
Who would’ve imagined that Nature’s way of reprimanding the mankind could be so sudden and forceful. Even though the Covid-19 crisis has sunk in deep into our psychology, it still doesn’t seem real. Atul Khanna, director, Durga Das Foundation and Strawberry Fields Schools, likens the situation to “nothing short of being in the middle of a science fiction futuristic film.” Only the film usually lasts a runtime of 120-odd minutes. He adds, “Clearly, this is here to stay and in the process alter our worldview completely. Frankly, no one had thought they would be part of such a situation.”
Clearly, the crisis is here to stay and in the process, our worldview will be altered completely. Frankly, no one had thought they would be part of such a situation.
Atul Khanna, Director, Durga Das Foundation
Even though, admittedly, not much for him has changed save for the fact that instead of going to both the schools, he now finds himself conducting online meetings and working from home. “Rest of the day remains the same. I do my prayer in the morning followed by some reading and catching up on calls. Then I try and spend some time with my parents.”
Though he definitely misses the walks by the Leisure Valley with his wife Sonali, but clearly it’s time to stay indoors and reflect on the inside. “We are managing to do our exercise within the house. Evening is time for my 14-year-old twins, Rushil and Aarush and we hit the makeshift badminton court in our backyard. I also potter around in the garden trying to see how we can grow more plants. We try and have an early dinner together along with our pet dog following which we watch some news and Netflix and retire to bed by 10.30 pm -11 pm.”
While his routine may have remained largely unaffected, there’s no denying the lessons we all carry home as individuals, citizens and most importantly as human beings. “There are a lot of lessons to be learnt. The most significant being that a lot of things that we think matter actually don’t. It’s really a back-to-basics approach. You take only what you need and you give a lot of what you don’t need away.” Hopefully, we all emerge not just well-adapted but much wiser. “I definitely am a lot more appreciative of the effort that goes into running a home and in parenting and I hope I can contribute more on this front, he adds.
“I have also realised that apart from what the governments are doing, the real good work is coming out of communities, how people are coming together to donate, to help others, to provide platforms and opportunities for sharing and caring. It’s quite overwhelming to see that kind of outpouring and compassion,” shares Khanna. He doesn’t see any reason as to why we will all collectively not carry forward some of the vital lessons learnt during the lockdown. “This has been like a course correction, making us value our relationships and all other things that we need to be grateful for. Our connection with Mother Earth and nature has been reinforced,” says Khanna.
