My view on COVID-19

Hutuzo Lohe
Department of History, Phek Govt College

COVID -19 is a novel coronavirus they said, so the solution for this awful problem will take time. With the outbreak of the unprecedented COVID-19 the world has completely changed. The world at present feels like darkness.

The world continues to grapple in chaos as this pandemic has compelled our nation along with the rest of the world to come to a halt. Schools, Colleges, Universities, Offices, places of worship, business establishments etc., all had to shut down. 

As a student, I am taking this chance and brief moment to express my view on how this pandemic has affected me. As we began our new session, I came across young students like myself struggling with class and exams which have now shifted to online mode. Online classes being quite new, most students were not able to comprehend the necessity for it and neglected these sessions. I began to question myself, is this pandemic crisis a curse or a blessing? While positive things like youths undertaking online classes and exam by making use of technology is no doubt a positive development, this also came with negative conditions. it became an additional burden for those struggling parents who were already toiling day and night to make ends meet. With hopes and dreams of making their children avail education, they give their all, to meet those demands for their children even if it meant more painful sacrifices. Isn’t this a blessing which came out of a curse? The blessing that student does not have to forsake their education. 

As a student, I worried for myself and also for those classmates/friends who were giving up their studies because they were unable to meet the demands which came with online classes. Another pondering which came about was the inevitable question, will we be able to understand everything that is being taught during online classes and with only references from internet sources? Will I understand only a fragment of my subjects without the aid of books from libraries?  If it is so then I might become like a tree with shallow roots even if it is covered with beautiful leaves!

These online classes are no doubt the best alternative for students at present but there are numerous drawbacks. 

For instance, the erratic power supply and poor cellular internet connectivity which most students like myself rely on.  

As most of the population is unemployed, some have to survive on their meagre daily wages or income from small shop/business. If this crisis continues, the question will be, can we survive or will it persist to be inconvenient for the common people to struggle as the prices of essentials continue to rise. On the other hand, this pandemic has not only resulted in grim results but the outbreak of COVID-19 has eventually brought many people together again. As more people continue to return home from metros after the outbreak of COVID-19, they will now be able to spend more time with their family and friends. But again, the issue of unemployment will also rise with it. This pandemic has certainly brought us more crisis and complications in our lives The pandemic has no doubt affected each one of us in various ways but it definitely has not broken our spirit to get over hindrances. 

Each life is equally precious, so let us join hands and pledge to take all necessary precautions and move forwards. I wish to conclude with these lines as a reminder and as encouragement to all - 

“Together we live, together we grow, together we fight for our better tomorrow”.

Stay Home and Stay Safe!