YELLOW

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What was happening on the streets by way of people's movements is all gone: Hong Kong is silent, Jamia is silent, JNU is quiet, the CAA issue is quiet, the sentiments are probably there just under the surface, but the freedom to express them is wiped out. The authorities are in total control, and though I realise some things must be this way, part of me is deeply worried. How are we going to be controlled in times to come? This is to me a very big change.

Because of the lockdown I am away from family, from work and students and colleagues, from the people on the street who are very much a part of my life because I walk a lot. It is a drastic change for me. Governments can be excused for the mistakes they are making, because this was a very unexpected situation. But now solutions have to be quickly found for people's problems, especially of the poorer sections of society who have little voice. It is scary to think of what may happen soon if people are left to starve with empty promises.

I think many people do keep themselves informed about the virus, and in turn inform others around them. Everybody is concerned, I think.

Temporarily there seems to be a lot more goodwill and mutual help. But communal prejudice and such deep and long-lasting ways of life have not gone away at all, they are just not so openly expressed.

Once this is all over, I think as individuals we will have given thought to many things and may make changes to the way we live. For instance, I notice I waste little or no food these days. So perhaps our throwaway culture will change, at least a bit. But that is not enough. Will we as the human race and as a society learn something of value that will be translated into our laws and institutions and our funding? I am not sure yet... But I am watching and listening.

My own experience these lockdown days:

From the first couple of days of the lockdown, people who are not really close to me dropped in with vegetables, or called to inquire how I was, offered help in case of need, asked my neighbours to make sure I lacked nothing. It was like a cloudburst of rain each time it happened, and it gladdened my heart more than I can say. These are assorted people, from a taxi driver to a neighbour, to several old students who had not been in touch at all! God bless them. I am grateful.

Yellow makes me very happy; it is the colour of life and light and a dawn and warmth - Isabel Santa Rita Vas (English Literature professor, Writer and Theatre personality)

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