Cheers to the evening when all of us said goodbye to 2019 and welcomed 2020. People took new year resolutions, made a long list of goals to be accomplished. All of us started looking towards improvement within ourselves during 2020. But we were unaware of the fact that this year already had several surprises for us. This year made us remember that we are just the actors of the movie ‘Life’ and Lord is the director.

First three months of the year were super-duper fun and left us wanting for more. As students, we did multiple events, learned a lot, and wished for many other opportunities to come our way. We were just at the edge of completing first year i.e., a journey from freshers to seniors was about to get over super soon! But things changed beyond expectation. A seemingly small virus could destroy lives, and it even destroyed the human ego. It made us realize that nothing is in our control. A lesson or number of lessons taught by the universe is named as the COVID-19 PANDEMIC by the world. Small things that we hardly bothered about like sanitizers, masks and a safe distance from people became a necessity to survive.

The journey from NORMAL to THE NEW NORMAL was not too easy. The 2.5-month lockdown had a devastating effect on the entire nation. Not just economically but humanity got weaker emotionally too. Businesses got shut, employees were removed from their jobs due to excessive staff and no income or else their salaries were reduced to 50%. Labours, daily wage workers willing to return their hometown were the one who suffered the most. Undoubtedly, number of organizations and even individuals served them with food, water, masks and other necessary things but still, the conditions of all such travellers was worst.

The entire atmosphere was filled with negativity all around. With the increasing number of cases, fear and sadness also increased among the people. There was no hope of any positive news coming from any side. The lockdown went on extending and more number of people died due to fear and depression rather than Covid. The lockdown made us remember and emphasize on the saying that ‘Health is Wealth’.

The pandemic made us realize that how we have compromised upon our health for the materialistic achievements of the world. It was of utmost importance to practice yoga, meditation, eat healthy and fresh food and also take immunity booster supplements to stay away from Covid. Not only the 2.5 months but we should focus on our health always to face any disease that comes our way. It taught us the importance of a healthy mind and body along with carrying out all worldly responsibilities.

Then finally came the Unlock 1.0 where businesses got started, people could go out but with all necessary precautions still there were a number of restrictions and night curfew too. Containment zones were still closed. Hotel, food, travel, entertainment industry, worship places, gyms and fitness centres were still kept shut. All of these started slowly and gradually with restrictions like 50% people, safe distance, health check-up before entering, masks and sanitization. But still due to an extreme fear in minds of people they could not get customers as before. The first 2-3 months after unlock were not too good. Talking about events and event management the case was not so good as for a long time it was only 50 people allowed that gradually increased to 100 then 200 but there were hug losses faced by them. 

Medicals and dairies were not shut even for a day considering them as a basic necessity. Other than that, MNC’s and all other companies started working from home. Educational institutes also started online classes for students. Events, exhibitions, seminars also started happening in virtual form. Work from home just became a trend and people started enjoying it. But as its human tendency to like new things initially but wish to return to basics which unfortunately didn’t happen.

Studying online without going to school and college and meeting all was too boring. But even in such situation we were given full support by the college staff in all matters. Although it was difficult to carry out things normally but with technology the things didn’t stop and were carried out differently.

As the economy gained pickup and things were getting better pre-Diwali, suddenly cases started increasing rapidly. Due to the carelessness and outings in Diwali, the next 1.5-2 months were too tough. Unfortunately, after a few days of Diwali, some states again had to face 2/3 days lockdown followed by night curfew. The fear of corona got spread all over again. We wish for the normal to come back soon from 2021.

A big salute to the corona warriors i.e., the doctors, nurses, municipal corporations, police, various trusts and volunteers for giving services by risking their lives.

I would like to conclude with a small message given by the earth/universe to us;

We fell asleep in one world and we woke up in another world,

Suddenly you realised that power, money and beauty are useless and can’t buy the oxygen you are fighting for,

The world continues to live its life and it is beautiful,

It only puts humans in cages,

I think it is sending all of us a message,

You are not important, the air, earth, water and sky without you are extremely fine

When you come back, REMEMBER you are my GUESTS and not my masters.

(The writer is a semester IV student of the class of 2022)