MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
Aleeza Noronha
I felt my lungs inflate with the over lush of scenery – air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy’”.
It was March 16, 2020, when we got the astonishing news about closure of schools and colleges due to the Coronavirus till March 31, 2020. Everyone’s level of happiness rose to ecstatic, not just because of Coronavirus break but the break we would get from studies. Also, it was Monday, who can even think about getting surprises on Monday? Well I guess we just got lucky then. Happiness was just to another level. Being hostelites it was the best thing that could ever happen to us.
Being in the initial stage of adulthood, there has always been an obsession for KFC, pizzas, burgers, shawarma or the mouth-watering ros omlette. But these places just turned into glimpses until the order of lockdown came. People like me ‘foodies’ were so shattered but at the same time we realised how important the decision was. Also, there came more orders of online classes, completing stuff like assignments, Points Technology Solutions (PPTS), projects, procedures and so on. It just jeopardised our lives. But then we had no option other than completing the work assigned.
At the same time it made me realise the change not just changed our lifestyle but also bought a massive drastic change in the environment. Yes, you got it right. ‘The earth is healing!’ there is no much pollution seen around. All activities of construction, deforestation, are on halt. There is less use of vehicles. Isn’t it amazing to know that we are putting our contribution in this healing treatment. And how astonishing, the Casinos… at last the all Powerful Master has brought it to stand still! Graciously, in the last week, we even saw a couple of Dolphins basking in the morning glory of the silent waters in the River Mandovi! A great feeling indeed! Unwittingly, we have a role part in it. Imagine how nice it would have been if we would realise the importance of keeping the earth safe.
There wouldn’t have been global warming, no rise in temperature, humidity, retreating of glaciers at an astonishing pace, no ozone layer depletion, etc. Life would’ve been so easy… Nevertheless, it’s still not late. We can work together in order to provide a healthy environment for our future generations.
According to studies, one can replace a regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb which can save nearly 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year, reducing use of vehicles can save about 1 pound of carbon dioxide, recycling is more effective which saves about 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide. Simply turning off your television, DVD players, stereo and computers, when you’re not using them, will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Also, most vital thing one should practice is planting trees as a single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
So let’s just look forward for the betterment of our State, country, continent and the entire world. Due to the outbreak of the deadly decease, a lot is getting restored, though, loss of life and other hazards. Let’s put forth our efforts in rebuilding and healing our mother earth as it is said, “When we heal the Earth we heal ourselves.”
