There is much that is horrifying and depressing about the novel coronavirus – its infectiousness, its global reach and spread and the way it has turned people's lives upside down. As they say, every cloud has a silver lining; and there is much that we can take heart from even as our lives have been so drastically disrupted by the pandemic and consequent lockdown.
As one of the most polluted Indian rivers, the water of the Yamuna is usually full of industrial effluent and other pollutants. The forced closure of industries may have thrown many out of work and impoverished millions; however, it may also have had this positive impact.
It is quite likely that the lower levels of pollution and the absence of the usual foul smell have other contributory factors. However, this story brings home a lot of points rather forcefully.
While the sight of clean and clear river water is wonderful to see, it also brings home the need for a change in the industrial policy as well as stricter compliance/enforcement in future. It shows us what a very real difference can in fact be made.
Reportedly, 28 hospitals in Kerala, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod have been converted into COVID hospitals; equipped with special facilities for the treatment of coronavirus infections.
India's oldest survivor of coronavirus was discharged recently from a hospital in Kerala and went home. This is thought to be something of a ‘miracle cure’ from a disease that is seen to have a far greater mortality rate among the elderly.
As this man recovered from his disease, he was discharged and permitted to go home. He is cheered by healthcare professionals and other patients. This feel-good moment is one of the bits of positive news that we can take heart from at this time.
The streets are empty in Dehradun, and this elephant is happily walking down one of them. The man who abandoned his motorcycle to run away from the pachyderm seems considerably less happy.
Another heartening story is that of an announcement made by the Taj Hotel group that the hotels at Colaba and Lands End, Bandra could be providing accommodation to nurses and doctors.
Meanwhile, 73-year-old Raj Singh aka the Skipping Sikh wants everyone to stay fit during the COVID-19 lockdown by skipping.
If you are at all familiar with Mumbai you have only ever seen these places simply heaving with human activity. Most of us didn’t know that at least some parts of Mumbai are rather pretty beneath it all. Or of course, you may find it all rather eerie – I did. The things that hit me most were the derelict looking rail yards and the deserted Shivaji Park. It is lovely, yes, but I for one want the madness that is Mumbai to return.
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