It’s the time to make most of it, says city architect

Mona

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 11

On Tuesday, architect Deepika Gandhi woke up to a reminder to confirm plans with a friend go to lake and enjoy Super Pink Moon, alas the lockdown, that was not to be. Lake is out of bounds for a while. But apart from her morning runs at Sukhna, there’s little that she misses of her normal routine. The last few months had been tense, between college and museums, home chores and kids’ exams, she was hard pressed for time. And, now there is time…

“Isn’t this that all of us wanted? More time to selves, now that we have it, why complain,” asks Deepika, Director, Le Corbusier Centre. She counts herself amongst the fortunate ones to have a government job, provisions available and family all together. Days sure aren’t the same. Now that there are no helps, household chores take up a lot of time, then there is her schoolgoing daughter’s studies. While son having just done his Class X is off the hook. With schools closed, Deepika is also playing her daughter’s teacher. The lockdown has unleashed the cleanliness freak in her.

“When domestic helps do the work, one ignores many things. Now that things are in my hands, I have turned a perfectionist. Utensils are to be properly lined, each day a new corner is scrubbed and dusted till it sparkles and shines.”

It fails Deepika who are these people complaining consistently of being locked up home. It’s the time to make most of it, attend to house and address loved ones. It’s the best time to teach children life skills. “All of us, I, my husband, son and daughter pitch in towards chores. It’s wonderful for sons and daughters to see parents manage home together.” Cooking is now fun, “There is time to plan, that one cannot go out so for children we try to keep menu interesting – South Indian today, continental tomorrow, Chinese the next day,” says Deepika thanking the Administration that one doesn’t have scurry for provisions, things are available. Now that the family is together, every third day, they try to restrict to their phone, screen time to the minimum.

“As elders we need to set the example. We bid bye to gadgets and children have been following the same too, its one rewarding experience.”

In the rush of day-to-day life, Deepika would at time miss her workouts. Now that there’s time, she and her daughter have taken up Zumba together. Each evening is their Zumba slot. That said, nothing matches the lure of the lake. As soon as the lockdown is over, she wants to run to Sukhna and spend an entire day just sitting and enjoying her favourite place in the city.

“I have to make a quick run to the centre too, I worry all the time.”

And till that happens, this architect really enjoys is that now is the time to enjoy that leisurely cup of tea. “This lockdown has made me realise the value of our backyard, terrace and balconies. As architects how much can we do with it, how much these little spaces can add value to life.” Till life trudges back to usual, its home and family that Deepika is taking recluse in!