Respect #lockdown, win this war, says Soumitra Chatterjee

This morning, I woke up to some alarming images in the Times of India showing a sea of helpless migrant workers in the capital waiting to be evacuated. The photos have left me shaken. I understand the government had no alternative but to impose this lockdown. There is no other way to flatten the curve. But it has also raised concerns about the poor migrant workers grappling with hunger. And hunger is universal — it affects everyone, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Despite repeated warnings, some are not paying heed to the constant calls for isolation and quarantine. They are still going out. This recklessness can cost us all dearly and our efforts to make this lockdown a success, will come to nought. But I am happy that the state government is working hard to distribute ration, basic amenities and essential commodities to the poor and destitute. I am confident that we will soon get back on our feet. We will find a solution to this crisis that has affected the entire human civilisation. I am always hopeful about the future of mankind. There was a time when we survived wars, fought against and defeated the plague, we survived the floods and many other calamities. We fought, we won. This time the war is perhaps far more terrifying, but every cloud has a silver lining. Coronavirus has taught us an important lesson — how insignificant and inconsequential we are to nature. We seemed to have lost all awareness and sense of direction. We were in a mad rush to nowhere. Nature has brought us to a halt. Nature is asking us to pause, reflect, introspect. Global economy will take a long time to recover. It will take time for us to revive, but we will. Because man is never defeated. This all-encompassing darkness will teach us to appreciate the little things in life and the importance of family and friends.I am at home as per the government directives. I spend my time reading, painting and writing. I was not getting the newspapers for a few days and felt cut off. It is an old habit. But now I’ve started getting the papers again and I like to dedicate my mornings to them.