Connecting with people is at its core the very essence of the human experience. Forming relationships and sustaining them or ending them is part of life. It provides happiness, joy and sometimes sadness. However the virus put paid to all this. Regular face to face interactions were no longer possible. The virus also wrecked havoc in various industries resulting in jobs being lost in large numbers. Stress levels increased dramatically as people wondered how they would be able to handle all this. People were also consigned indoors as lockdowns were imposed. Relationships have to be nurtured and this was not really possible under such circumstances. How did people manage in such situations?
The comfort of home was felt by many. Snesha Sawant a home baker said everyone was at home. This helped reduce tension and stress caused by the uncertainty to jobs and businesses. She said “There was a lot of communication with parents and relatives and friends. I was involved in several video calls, something I never did earlier. It helped maintain stress. Sharing and helping and occasionally crying all helped. It is still going on. We have gotten stronger doing this.”
For Reeya Redkar talking to family was very important. She said “I am part of a joint family, so feeling lonely was not a problem. We however spoke and expressed our selves. We connected with people online and had video calls. It certainly helped us to stay connected with everyone and helped me and others stay positive.”
Technology was certainly a friend for a lot of people. Conceptualising an idea can mean working as part of a team or working in solitary confinement. Milroy Goes a film director said he kept in touch with his business associates via video calls but more importantly with his brothers and relatives on phone calls every day. He said “I would have loved to meet them but the circumstances was such.
I also placed a premium on safety. If it was safe I would have planned an outing at a restaurant. I avoided crowded places. I would still prefer to go out. I even asked a friend and still waiting for her yes to join me a bike ride.”
For Viren Vadgama the lockdown gave him an opportunity to reconnect with his family. He said “I had the chance to talk to my people most often. We could speak for hours using various apps and portals. There were virtual family gatherings where all of us spoke and interacted with one another which were rare during our busy schedules. We even played games like antakshari etc. A lot of my friends had virtual ceremonies including baby showers and weddings. It helped us stay connected and handle the uncertainty better.”
Taarni Parasher a student said her first shell of a relationship was around her and she was able to communicate without barriers. It helped that she could have video calls every other day to discuss anything under the sun from life to recipes. She said “Touchwood nothing got in my way and my people kept me going.”
Nelly Furtado who is now based in the UK but originally from Goa said times had been very challenging. She said “I realised that by asking for help, it allowed others to open up and feel safe to do the same. Zoom meetings and Google Hangouts have worked perfectly for group sessions, giving me a good opportunity to connect and find out ways to deal with isolation.” An informal group chat to keep each other motivated by offering moral support was another way to connect with work colleagues, family and friends she said. Anjali Fernandes another student said apart from attending online classes, sharing recipes, trying out new online activities with friends, kept her going. She said “The blessings of a family and friends helped me get through lockdown Making some time for prayer has also strengthen family bonding. And yes, Netflix was also of great help. I watched great movies and shows with parents and occasionally cousins
Savio Messias, hotelier and football nut said he had to be thankful to the available communication platforms which he had to master. He said “I was able to keep in touch with my people. Te usual smile varnished and the hug disappeared and now the hand movement takes importance deliver the message. But that’s life.”
The stresses of the times were felt severely by musicians. Colin D Cruz bassist said he formed a family whatsapp group to keep in touch with close family who were based all over the world. He said “I kept in touch with them 24 x7. It certainly helped.”
Continuous interaction certainly helped everyone to battle personal demons and to also emphasise the importance of family and friends.
And that is the real message of Valentine’s day
