Fight Till the Last Man Standing

"Bro, I am having high fever since 2 days. I tried Dolo 650 mg but it keeps coming back. I think it got me."

This was the conversation I had with my friend on 27th April 2021, who lives in Delhi. When the capital of India was not leaving the news channels for a minute due to all the wrong reasons (lack of beds in hospitals, oxygen shortage, unavailability of Remdesivir and Covid-19 testing).  

I calmed myself and replied "take rest, drink fluids as much as you can, keep temperature under control and let me talk to Mukki (Dr. Mukesh, Tatanagar)." And same night I connected both of them through a conference call and later shared their numbers. 

From that day onwards every next day became a challenge, I text him everyday "what's up? How you doing?" then wait patiently for his reply (usually it took hours, which seemed longer than usual). Depending upon his physical state we would either text or call. Every day I try to analyse his status by hearing his muffled voice, cracking sound of his surroundings, and duration of our call. Initial 3-4 days were very tough, I could feel his struggle for day to day chores such as boiling water for taking steam, heating food or washing daily wear. I didn't know how I could elevate his spirits and keep him doing whatever Mukki advices (medicine, breathing exercise, steam, and timely food). I knew he is mentally strong, but physical limitation can break anyone living alone. 

During those testing time, I came to know his elder brother (Bangalore) and elder sister with her family member (Jharkhand) were also affected by the same unforgiving virus. That moment I really understood the meaning of pandemic where geographical boundaries no longer have any relevance. Now, it became essential for me to not let him dive into any negative thoughts, even though initially it was a futile effort. I was not seeing any sign of progress, he was taking Paracetamol tabs as morning/evening snacks and fever kept coming back without those tabs. Deep down, I was worried and didn't know how long this will go. But one thing I knew and believed that if it is not getting worse then it is getting better. It was only a matter of few days and he would be kicking back to healthy boots.

Once I had a conference call with him and his sister, she was going through same cycle of fever and paracetamol tabs. Her voice was trembling, we could feel the pain and discomfort she was in. I just hanged up and resisted calling her again till she gets well. I didn't know why I did that, may be I didn't have courage to bear the pain of being helpless when my close ones were suffering. The fear of unwanted and unforgiving lurking all around us, can make anyone frighten and I was not brave enough.

Somehow, slowly but steadily situation started improving, I could feel the strength through his voice again. And, Yes I was praying not only for him but for everyone to be safe from this invisible enemy of humankind. 

Now, after 15-16 days of our first conversation, I heard a rejoiced voice of him, asking me how to thank someone who is far away but never let him feel so. "Bro, Mukki took care of me, without his guidance and support,  I could have not recovered this fast. I don't know how I can ever repay his untiring efforts and kindness." I said don't worry we will order something and have a virtual dinner together, Mukki would be much happy to have us, far but together. 

Delhi and other cities are still recovering from the siege of pandemic but my friend has recovered so do million others. During this cross-firing of virus and vaccine many unfortunate ones didn't make to the safe zone. We lost many and still losing, that doesn't mean we have surrendered but we are fighting and we will be till we save the last man standing.  

FYI, Dr. Mukesh and thousands like him are giving telephonic advice to millions of Covid-19 infected patients throughout the country. We salute such front line warriors who care for others more than of themselves. 

Chakravyuh: The Maze

 Abhimanyu and Arjun

One who knows it is a trap but still goes into risking his life because he knows it is important even though he couldn't be able to solve (first wave)..- Curse of  Abhimanyu 

However, one who has full knowledge of it from the beginning, loses his loved ones (family and friends) but still goes in, because there is no one else to do it (Second wave).- Duty of Arjun

Abhimanyu didn't want to regret that he didn't try, Arjun didn't have time for remorse both went into Chakravyuh to fulfill their duty. 

It is never meant to be easy when you are at war, no matter how well you prepare you will lose some, you will save some but you can't quit before it gets over.

Whatever the name we give, the pandemic has changed the families forever. There is hardly any day when we are not hearing about our love ones, close ones, known ones, unknown ones, famous ones or nameless ones are fighting the never-ending battle to breathe free. No one has ever seen this kind of devastation where members in a family are affected at different geographical locations and not able to meet each other. This kind of helplessness hasn't been seen by any living human, where everyone is praying and hoping not to be the next victim of breathlessness.

We have been witnessing sadness, anger, frustration, agony, and state of uncertainty in everyone. We are judging everyone's actions including states, governments, people, healthcare, religious gatherings, public functions, social traditions and more. It is difficult to blame one for this mass grieving, we all are complicit however some contributed more than other and few saved more lives than anyone else.

Then, there is a sliver lining, seeing the worst moments of human life, few (Krishna) have come forward irrespective of their caste and creed they are helping fellow humans in distress. There are millions of nameless warrior at front line away from their own family saving lives of unknowns. We are reading news of many who sold their belonging to save few, some one drove thousand miles to save life of his friend, children turned grown up to take care of their parents, neighbors are calming each other, flatmates/colleagues are taking care of loners. There are many health care professionals, who are trying to be in reach of everyone and guide them through this maze of helplessness. Then there are millions who contribute through social media by multiplying the SOS calls for medicine, oxygen, beds, and food.

Between the margins of good or bad we have silver line of hope, which says we can overcome anything if we stick together and give hope to each other.

This banyan tree symbolizes hope of thousands, who climbed to the top of Kishkindha mountains (Hampi), walked bare feet in scorching sun to tie a bag of hope in front of Maa Shakti (Goddess of Nature and all living forces) temple. All who have come here share the same hope that things will become better and will be taken care of.

Right now, we all are carrying our small bags of hope that our affected members of family and friends will recover full and fast. We are tied together, maybe at different branches but in the same tree.

Lets have the hope that we will see a better tomorrow together.

- rituraj

A girl from mountains

 

Let me tell the story of a girl from snowclad mountains, who came to plains to meet mortals.

It was a sunny day in a countryside playground, when first time, I saw a slim but fearless girl giving tough competition to people (double to her weight). Her features make her unique rather distinct, she is a no-nonsense girl who doesn’t take “no” as an answer and “yes” as submission. 

Later within weeks I came to know she has joined our group; however, we still teased her for being an outsider (came from another group) and kept asking her loyalty tests. Slowly rather precisely she took over the reins of the group and start managing everything in her own subtle way.

We used to have tea/coffee breaks and she came to all without fail even though she hardly drinks any. The more we work together more we know it is not the work that binds us but her kindness and positivity towards people.

I remembered once she came to my home on my birthday (hardly known to people) with my other very good friend to give me a surprise. Both took a lot of trouble of getting fresh cake and making it to my home without giving the slightest hint that they were coming. This is in her nature to go the extra mile to make people around her happy.

In the last three years, I have witnessed many up-downs in the group, but she never stopped spreading her smile around. The cosiest relation she had with few and with rest the banter she shared never faded. Her meticulous accuracy and neatly written records made me wonder how she could do all without getting tired and bored. But she kept doing what she does best to keep everything in order and everyone orderly.

We used to plan a lot for our road trips, but it never happened however, we went to many places in and around the city. And always a soothing but energetic effect when she is around something like fire in ice.

In last two years, many have moved, and the social dynamic of groups have changed dramatically. All the changes made us work together more often than before. To my surprise, she took my awkward stubbornness wholeheartedly made working a pleasant experience. Where I always valued her opinions and thoughts with priority, however, she used to keep my words as a stone marked and show respect not in words but in action. There were times when nothing worked, days and days spent doing the same without results but she never stopped doing. I was in shades of frustration and exhausted too but she always says "we will do it again Sir, it will come this time". I never understood what gives her this unlimited positivity but it spilt over me too with time. 

With all passing years, I turned protective of her, but She never needed any. Her no-nonsense attitude sometimes brings troubles too (avalanches). In the many stories of her avalanches, we always know she is right but still, we try to calm her and let the victims of the avalanche rescued. I heard once she gave proper teaching to a hospital's staff for stepping in an already crowded elevator. She was right to stop her and teach her the principles they preach but do not follow. Still, we calm her down saying let it go, people aren't going to change.

Being away from Mountains she never let mountains away from her, the firmness and head over shoulder attitude always maintained her rebellious nature like a torrential river of Himalayas. During the last year of the upside-down state of all, she was also petrified, during those time I wished she could have stayed with us. However, there was no dearth of her well-wishers and she like the branches of Pine survived the months of snowfall and came out with fresh leaves of resilience.

Whenever she was at my home, we never felt that we have called her, it felt like she was living there for ages. Sometimes or most of the times she just tied up with my better half and take all the revenge of my teasing on her. They make a formidable team and I have no other option than surrender to the mighty forces of nature. It is hard to find out when she became part of the family without letting me know that, she knows almost everyone in the family. I think even I knew most of her closed/loved ones (a rarity for me).

There is no denying that I have learned many things from her, such as being pleasant to people around you, no matter what it takes to be available for family and take care of sibling (her sister is inseparable to her) and most importantly never be shy to show emotions even people call you sensitive.

Now she will be moving away in the search of her dreams, to meet new people, to spread more happiness, to create a new aura of kindness, this may be a long break to see her again but we will be connected to her always.

P.S. Have everything that you have ever wished for.

Be the north star of the winter nights when the moon and sun hide, you may be alone in the sky but will be the brightest star who shines when others fade and die.

-rituraj