As the clock struck 12 on Dec 31, 2019 and the midnight ushered in the new year, I wonder if anyone had any inkling how 2020 would treat the world.
Almost half a year after those new year messages and social media posts, here we are - wistfully assessing if there's anything - anything at all about 2020 (for most, if not all people) to be happy about. And I haven't even gone local.
Coronavirus, masks, sanitizers, at least 20 seconds of hand wash after touching externally-sourced items, remote way of working, social distancing, living without maids, drivers, malls, et al - this is the new normal.
6 months ago, who could have said that the US would be on its knees (Corona, David Floyd)?
Who knew that eating out or shopping (physical, not virtual/online) would become mere memories?
Teachers taking classes online, students attending it like a circus ('Keep yourself on mute, class!') and academic institutions postponing exams/promoting candidates en masse - the world has well and truly changed.
But, you know, we Indians cannot stay content with just a few. We have always had just a few more irritants to contend with.
Locusts, frequent (albeit low-intensity) earthquakes, online theft and robberies - you name it, we've probably seen every problem in the book.
Reason enough to be disappointed..
Yet, yet, yet....
The year is only halfway done.
So what if the war's just begun?
Yes, the current times are bleak
But just be positive and not meek.
Whenever you find that
life has made you a pawn
Remember: It gets darkest,
only just before dawn.
So pull up, chin up, and stay as calm as a Boeing.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Almost half a year after those new year messages and social media posts, here we are - wistfully assessing if there's anything - anything at all about 2020 (for most, if not all people) to be happy about. And I haven't even gone local.
Coronavirus, masks, sanitizers, at least 20 seconds of hand wash after touching externally-sourced items, remote way of working, social distancing, living without maids, drivers, malls, et al - this is the new normal.
6 months ago, who could have said that the US would be on its knees (Corona, David Floyd)?
Who knew that eating out or shopping (physical, not virtual/online) would become mere memories?
Teachers taking classes online, students attending it like a circus ('Keep yourself on mute, class!') and academic institutions postponing exams/promoting candidates en masse - the world has well and truly changed.
But, you know, we Indians cannot stay content with just a few. We have always had just a few more irritants to contend with.
Locusts, frequent (albeit low-intensity) earthquakes, online theft and robberies - you name it, we've probably seen every problem in the book.
Reason enough to be disappointed..
Yet, yet, yet....
The year is only halfway done.
So what if the war's just begun?
Yes, the current times are bleak
But just be positive and not meek.
Whenever you find that
life has made you a pawn
Remember: It gets darkest,
only just before dawn.
So pull up, chin up, and stay as calm as a Boeing.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
