It was a popular joint in Manhattan, Two gentlemen used to meet there each morning for breakfast: Mr. Yesterday used to handover its baggage and instructions to Mr. Today. Eventually, Mr. Today would meet Mr. Tomorrow to do the same. This was happening since the beginning of the inhabitation of this place by humanity. There was a cataclysm one fine day thanks to some unknown virus originated from the Far East and Mr. Today is still waiting for handing over its baggage to Mr. Tomorrow as Mr. Tomorrow did not turn up at all. What should Mr. Today do?
A few months back I drove into NYC, met someone, crossed the great GB Washington bridge to enter NJ where I was booked into a hotel close to Exchange Place which gives you a wonderful view of Manhattan. Yes, it was new years eve and could overlook festivities though the main one far-off across the Hudson at Times Square. Our hotel also hosted a party. There were seasons festivities all around to welcome the new decade. I saw the first rays of 2020 and the decade of the 20s embracing the Manhattan skyline. Optimism was in the air. Many had planned ambitious resolutions and actions. Highs of the 2000s were drowned by the 2008 crisis. But 2010 did fairly well to recover in this part of the world. But Back in Homeland, we had a challenge to the India story which had raised from lows in the early 90s till say 2018. Impacts of well-meaning and long due GST reforms and ambitious Demonetization, as well as RERA, acted like by-products of much-needed cleaning of the Indian system corrupted for 70 years created few questions marks on Indian Story especially in comparison with China. We had just about a new virus in a city of China most of us never heard of. Everything was running fine. Like, everyone, I had plans for 2020 and beyond.
Now today in April gone past the fool's day, I feel myself to be that fictional Mr. Today stuck in that Manhattan joint who is still waiting for Mr. Tomorrow.
My Past as handed over by Mr. Yesterday is a combination of memories of immediate past here in CT. I used to go out for walks, meet people, drive around place, eat out, attend events at work/friends/daughters school. All that seems distant past. Winter has gone past. It was a mild winter with no major disruption. Spring is in the air, temperatures are excellent, birds are chirping, leaves have started growing on trees. An ideal time to start outdoors. But today I am locked indoor.
My Past as handed over by Mr. Yesterday has a heavier set of memories back home. There are many images. Images and smell of monsoon drenched Sahayadri forts. Grandeur and serenity of Upper Himalayas. The romanticism of the hills of Kumau, Garhwal, Mussoorie, Shimla, and Manali. Interspersing of Hills, Beaches, and Sea in Konkan. Rural Bengal and Odisha. The freshness of Kerala. The different feel of Kanyakumari. The elegance of Dhauladhars, Hills and Urban landscape of Korea, Highrises of Kualalumpur, Neatness of Singapore. Vivacious London and beauty of small towns in the UK. Efficient Crispness of Germany. Desert and Oasys in UAE and Vibrant Dubai. The opulence of Shenzen, Hongkong, and Macau. The beauty of Srilanka, Sun and sand of Mauritius, Big cities, countryside, suburbs, parks of US. The bustling of Mumbai.Partytime in Goa, Mahabaleshwar, and Lonavala. And most importantly the Elegance, familiarity and warmth of Pune my native place. Locked down in one place results in those images popping up in the memory. Not only the images and places but people, events, incidences, achievements, failures, gains and losses emotions for more than four decades.
Mr. Yesterday had passed everything. Mr.Today was ready to act on the plan. Then the clock stopped. Thanks a virus called Corona. This has changed the context drastically. They say real city New Yorkers don't believe that people actually live at places other than NYC. Now no one wants to be there. My Country of 1.25 Billion Indians is locked down. Unable to travel even to get essentials. Not able to exercise their own occupation. Those few lucky can manage from home. But rest especially those in a lower bottom of foodchain have no means of livelihood. Some Braveheart have to do their duties. Healthcare professionals, Law enforcers, Soldiers, and Administration staff are working hard both here and back home. The leadership examples are contrasting here and back home. Here there is no cohesion of policymaking and decisions. Maybe the Federal structure of the system is not helping. In India, things have been handled well. Social distancing is practically impossible for lack of space and population density. We had better airport checks and better control over the response. Though we neglected UAE and Gulf flights which led to the entry, Also maybe our immunity has helped. But the stupidly of the Muslim congregation resulted in a bit downtrend in control. But Govt needs to focus on economic impact and measures to help the affected both here and back home. Also it the time for businesses to reinvent. These are unprecedented times. Maybe to the possible exception of WWII, there was no such catastrophe, at least our generation has not seen it. I have heard of blackouts during 71 war. Europe is suffering miserably. I reserve my comments on China for some other time. Most importantly it has stopped the supply of live cricket. I have grown on watching cricket. No more the alarm will ring in the middle of the night ten minutes before the India or Mumbai Indian match.. It might seem frivolous but sports is life for many.
There are few positives like clean air, reduced pollution, clean oceans but may be negligible in comparison to years of abuse on the environment. Some people have time to connect with the family at home friends through the internet. Some people have found the inner soul.
What Mr. Tomorrow has in store and when Mr. Tomorrow will show up in the NYC joint will depend on how Mr. Today acts. Its time for Mr. Today to have an agenda. Science, Effective administration and regulation, Self Discipline and Morale in that order are the primary agenda items for Mr. Today. Some organizations, institutes or businesses will come up with medicine or vaccine. Till then we should have better administration managing lockdown, providing economic help to affected. People should follow best practices even after enforced lockdown is revoked. Finally, everyone should maintain high morale. Whatever it is, it will pass and there will be sunrise. This is very important for Mr. Today to not lose Hope.
Please note that Mr. Today is You and Me...
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