Christmas during the pandemic - a time to reflect

Kangjam Sonamani Singh *

Silent night, holy night....
.......all is calm and all is bright

Truly this time “all is calm”. This particular line from the popular Christmas carol rings so true in this present season of pandemic. And this was the calmest Christmas I have ever witnessed.

This is one such festival which is the epitome of universality and brotherhood-cutting across diverse religious or spiritual beliefs. With many churches opting for online masses and services and subdued worshippers’ attendance, it was the first time-ever that the world celebrated this grand festival in an entirely unique manner.

I cannot help but wonder is it a loud signal from Mother Nature to us humans-to reflect, to ponder and to introspect ? Nature, whom every tribe and civilization on the globe has addressed as “Mother” and yet always have been taken for granted.

Perhaps 2020 was a time pre-destined for her to heal and regenerate. Or perhaps, this was meant to be a strict punishment for the humans-the naughtiest and most disobedient pupil in the classroom of Mother Nature.

A classroom comprising of the animal species inhabiting this planet. The year was marked with a dramatic decrease in industrial activities, road traffic congestion, tourism, aviation and other human activities.

Restricted human interaction with nature during this crisis time has appeared as a blessing for nature and environment. Statistics have revealed that air quality improved considerably. Quality of water in both rivers as well as seas and oceans too are reported to have improved considerably giving a way ahead towards restoration.

Shutting down of hotels and spas have naturally resulted to saving of gallons and gallons of water normally used in a mindless manner.

The pandemic year has brought out the best in many, like, picking up that rusted guitar all over again, opening the old cookery book to try out new recipes, dusting off that garden rake to bring in a little bit of greenery in one’s backyard personal space.....the buried hobbies, the lost-lost childhood fetishes are out, again.

The year is ending. Does it deserve a tight cwtch or to be fenestrated? It all depends on our perspective. While it brought its share of gloomy scenes, it surely has taught us to be less materialistic and hedonistic.

Yes, truly indeed in this age it is boring to survive on just a bare minimum. But 2020 has given a stark demonstration on how we can really thrive and do quite well even after cutting down on all the frills and unnecessary loud pompousness.

A truly revelation for our over-eating and over-dressing society. A lesson for us to be more grounded despite all the superiority we might feel as a race. That we are just one more catastrophic calamity away to be wiped out from existence. And that too with Mother Nature least bothered with.

As the year winds up, though many seem to be joyous with the recent launch of Covid vaccine, I guess it is still too early to be too panglosssian.

Wishing a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year to one and all.