PONDA: Bored at sitting home, the residents of Ponda are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the 15th of April – the day when the lockdown is expected to end.
The people are complaining that sitting at home for 21 days in view of the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, is like sitting in a prison for a year.
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Everyone that this correspondent spoke to said that this is the first time in their lives they are under lockdown for 21-long days.
Umesh Naik, a Ponda resident, said that he cannot even spend time watching TV as “most of the programmes are woman oriented.”
“Before the lockdown I had a tight schedule; I had no time to relax. Whatever little time that I could find then, I spent it with my friends and at my favourite restaurants. Therefore, sitting at home idle is difficult for persons like me who are used to a busy life,” he said.
Senior citizen Anand Naik said, “COVID lockdown reminds me of my situation 50 years ago, when we struggled to get food grains for want of money. Now we have money, to but cannot buy all that we want due to the lockdown.”
Anand philosophically said: “COVID-19 has made rich and poor equals; it has taught that health is wealth.”
He complained that sitting at home is causing him back pain, but quickly added that he goes for a walk to keep himself fit.
“Watching TV for long time is boring. We can’t drink a hot cup of tea at our favourite hotel in the company of friends. So, we are eagerly waiting for the end of lockdown,” he said.
Meanwhile, the migrant labourers in the town are worried for their livelihood and future. They fear that their employers would not pay them their wages for the lockdown period.
