Ramgadh ke vasiyon, Gabbar ke taap se tumhe ek hi aadmi bacha sakta hai, khud Gabbar!
I woke up to this dialogue from Sholay, or at least I thought I did! Someone with a megaphone was mumbling away in the distance.
It’s Day 4 of the lockdown, we don’t want to miss any announcements. Especially not the local ones. I ran to my bedroom window to figure out the commotion. A few guards were walking around yelling at the residents to stay indoors. “Societywalon, apne apne gharon mein rahiye, kripya baahar na nikle”
Fear is everywhere. The few residents who had gone for a morning walk were sent back immediately. ‘Lockdown’ means locked inside the house. Staying indoors at all times no matter what. It’s a difficult situation for all of us. For the ones who must follow the directives and also for those that need to ensure that the directives are followed.
Throughout the day today these announcements have been made periodically though megaphones, mikes, even speakers on moving vehicles. Loud, clear, monologues designed to reiterate the dos & don’ts of the lockdown period.
We are not a country that is by nature disciplined and rule abiding. We live and thrive in chaos. That is the main stumbling block in our fight against this virus. The need to collectively face this threat. The realisation that everyone is responsible for everyone getting through this pandemic.
As we veg-out in front of our TVs we need to remember there is a real threat of collective extermination. Unfortunately, we don’t have a Jai and Veeru to protect us from this Gabbar. The only option is to stay at home.
