Lockdown diaries

‘An ideal state to reboot’

Sohbat Singh Sandhu, Class XII, Sri Guru Harkrishan Sr Sec Public School, Sector 40-C, Chd

Ever since reports surfaced from China that a cluster of pneumonia cases were due to a new type of virus, the situation has changed dramatically. The world is grappling with an invisible deadly enemy, trying to understand the threat posed by the virus. Regular life seems to have ground to a halt.

I have tried to conceptualise the new normal. Lockdown eerily reminiscent of the curfews – beneath the quiet calm that the society has been unhinged and the usual rules no longer apply. There is a strange contraction of space, we feel fear and boredom, anger and frustration but a strange peace. In melancholia, the shape of what is unending, sprawling and incomprehensible, the things that marked our day, going to school, meeting friends and teachers, playing sports have vanished and time takes on a flat seamless quality. Without some self-imposed structure, it is easy to feel untethered. Giving shape to time is especially important now.

I have decided to go beyond social and emotional isolation and shake off the ‘cabin fever’. I took steps for deeper awareness to manage time and sustainability. We live in the Zoom era now, with live streaming of school lessons giving an opportunity to explore the subject, without any time constraint. This time also gave me the vision to rediscover the value of collective good and to change my behaviour. I took on my share of household chores, took out my pets for walks, helped in the kitchen taking responsibility. For the first time it gave me a sense of ownership and boosted my self-confidence on being a valuable asset. It also gave me a chance to spend quality family time and play good forgotten games like scrabble, world jumbles and chess.

It is an ideal state to reboot. I learnt to pay more attention to hygiene. This period is enhancing my learning curve by helping me stay updated on news, thinking critically about information and considering essential questions. The time allowed me to indulge in my favourite pastime of reading books and watched movies and documentaries like Contagion and Tokyo Trial. I have started enjoying the Nature in its pristine form with the clean air and chirping birds. I got an opportunity to appreciate my parents, who are doctors working on the frontline even in this pandemic scare, inspiring me to do my share of community social responsibility. I feel incredibly optimistic about the future. There is an antidote to fear as in hope that will pull us through these difficult times.

The world has seen such colossal disasters as pandemics and world wars before but human mind is such a genius when it comes to adaptation with our great ability, inventive and resourceful spirit to help us recognise new things and turn them to our advantage.

‘Be productive, be innovative!’

Aaryan Dhrabial, Class XI, MCM DAV Sr Sec Public School, Nurpur

COVID-19 pandemic has spread all over the world like a wildfire. The deadly disease has hit the world trade and daily activities badly. We have been asked to stay at home and follow social distancing.

Being a responsible citizen, we have to follow the rules of lockdown so that we can stop the spread of coronavirus. Although we are at home, we can make our precious time productive. Even I tried doing so.

The positive approach of my parents and teachers helped me make my time productive. During lockdown, I tried to explore new things at home. I wake up earlier than before and begin my day by completing my school work. I spend the rest of the day by doing new things like painting, photography and watching educational movies.

During lockdown, I am working strictly according to the timetable made by my teachers. They are taking live classes on a regular basis. I am attending the classes regularly. I have also used the lockdown period to gather information about interesting things. All students can make their time productive like me. On weekends, I try gardening. This helps me spend time with the Nature. I have started understanding the Latin language during the lockdown.

Every person should focus on writing during these days. This will boost their thinking skills. As a student, I also practiced to meditate early in the morning.

‘Prevention is better than cure!’

Akriti Thakur, Class XII, IB DAV Public School, Narwana (HP)

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to stay at home. It is important to slow down public movement and break the chain of coronavirus spread. Just because we are sitting at home, it doesn’t mean we can’t get any work done or learn anything new.

This lockdown period has given us opportunities to do things we always wanted to or liked to do depending on our individual circumstances. I think it makes sense to make productive use of this time and do things that are meaningful to us. I have been practising yoga and meditation for a stronger immune system. It is probably the best time we can indulge in and ensuring that we remain healthy and fit.

I like to read books, concentrate on its characters and storyline. Books exercises the brain, builds our vocabulary, lowers stress level and also enhances the imagination. I like gardening very much. This quarantine has provided me an opportunity to do things as per my wish. Being among plants and trees gives me a sense of relief and serenity. I have also watched many documentary films online.

Nowadays, children are so busy with mobile phones and online games that they have forgotten the feeling of joy in playing games like ludo that too with family. The charm of the good old monopoly board is still the same. We can dedicate a specific time slot each day to play games such as hide and seek, charades, board games, jenga, and numerous others with the entire family. Painting is one such hobby I have discovered during this quarantine.

This is a time where all of us need to be patient. Use this time wisely and judiciously.

‘Discovering the new me’

Prabhleen Walia, Class IX, St Soldier Modern School, Batala

The novel coronavirus has shut everything. Everyone is obeying the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stay home. Also, the online study material sent by schools has kept the children busy. But this lockdown has changed my lifestyle completely.

My online work comes from the school daily. My teachers have been sending detailed videos of all chapters to clear our doubts. I send the videos of work which I have completed. Besides, I am learning cooking from my mother. I also spend quality time with my parents. We sit together and talk about inspiring ideas. Watching television is also a good pass time during lockdown. I watch new shows, including mythological ones. I also play to keep myself fit.

We have a small kitchen garden and I spend at least one hour daily. I try to grow organic vegetables in my garden.

I have a pet dog and I play with it. After dinner, I write my diary that helps me plan my next day. The pandemic has given an insight to see other side of the coin.