Read day 8 So today was the UrbanClap day and the timing was 1 PM. There were no updates till 1 but then got a call that can we reschedule it to 4:30. I said ok. There is no other option really. Then got a message that it has been rescheduled to 3rd Apr, 9:30 AM. There you go ! But got a call around 4 and that guy actually turned up. Wow ! ...
Read day 7 These Tablighi guys have messed it up big time. There are hundreds of Covid-19 positive cases being reported from the group and it has made total India numbers go past 2000. Now the blame game has started and it would be difficult to know whose mistake it was. But given the kind of mixed crowd that was there, much more alertness was needed. And their behaviour, after they were evacuated, was also in the news for all the not so good reasons. All such mistakes and it will make it increasing difficult for the country to contain the spread. ...
Read day 6 So finally the UrbanClap guy called and said that he will come. Some good news ! But…another call after few hours that he needs to come from Delhi and most of the borders are sealed and no one is being allowed to enter from Delhi to Noida. Back to UrbanClap customer care. They said we will just reschedule it and see if we can get someone from Noida. Rescheduled to 2nd April. Let’s see. ...
Read day 5 So finally, after multiple tries managed to register a request with UrbanClap for Water Purifier repair. Now there are two parts to it. One that someone actually turns up & two that society guys allow him to enter. Talked to few other local guys around but no one is ready to come because of the lockdown. Though it comes under essential services but you know implementation of things is always messy. Let’s see how it goes. ...
Read day 4 The situation of labourers trying to reach their homes is really bad. Centre govt has asked the state govts to put all such people under quarantine and arrange for their stay and food. This again is easier said than done. To track everyone who returned from Delhi and then to arrange accommodation and food for them is a mammoth task. We can only hope that it doesn’t turn into a community spread situation. ...
Read day 3 Due to the lockdown, the daily wagers and migrant labourers are facing really hard times. They have lost the work and there is no income. The only option they have is to try to go back to their hometowns which they are trying to do. Since most of the public transport is not functional, there is a flood of people at various bus stands. Authorities should have kept this point in consideration before announcing the lockdown. I don’t think it would have been possible to completely avoid this but still some planning could have helped. Gatherings of people in thousands increase the risk of community spread but what option do they have ? They need food and a place to live to survive. When you have no source of income and no money in the pocket, how are you going to get this ? It makes their lives even harder. This is really sad. Hope things improve for them. Reminds me of this piece of poetry by Sant Ram Udasi (Sung by Jasbir Jassi) - tu maghda rahi ve soorja kammiyan de vihde ...
Read day 2 So like yesterday, today was also a better day. There were very few announcements. People seem to be getting used to the idea of staying indoors. Also there were 2 policemen on bike followed by an Auto with a loudspeaker fitted atop, giving information about Covid-19 dos and don’ts. They did a round in the society also. I clicked this in the evening. See the empty streets and the clear skies. ...
Read Day 1 Today seemed to be a better day in the society. Very few announcements. Means people were not roaming around aimlessly. People were seen going outside for getting the daily stuff like milk and groceries. Govt has allocated a special budget for taking care of needs of the poor people during this lockdown period. Hope it reaches the needy and can help them through this hard time. They are the ones who are going to face the most challenges. ...
As we all know the world is going through a really difficult time and there are a number of countries placed under lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19. India is also one of them. Imagine 130 crores of population shut indoors. Most of the private companies have given work from home to their employees. Govt offices are also running with limited staff. Out generation hasn’t seen anything like that earlier. ...
This is from Facebook memories of this day in 2013 when i was stuck in Bombay rains! Oh boy…Bombay’s first rain and i am part of it ! Rather stuck in it ! Keeping in mind that my flight is at 2 am, i booked a cab for 10 pm. 4 hours are good enough. Right ? Then it started raining at 7 in the evening and still raining till 10. The taxi guy didnt turn up. Called all taxi walas and as expected nothing is avlvl. ...