Wednesday, September 15, 2021

To Corona, my best teacher!

 "If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” These immortal words, aptly depict the nature of human existence. Constantly striving to become stronger, richer and happier, human beings are perhaps the greediest species on the planet (a Labrador might disagree, but loving canines are excluded from this list). What happens when such a race is hit with perhaps the hardest punishment of all - that of listening to Mother Nature? Some rebel and fall by the wayside. Others quietly obey, but despise existence at a visceral level. But the best ones learn. Evolve! COVID 19 was never part of the 21st Century catalogue. 

This was supposed to be the erawhen machines finally overtook human intelligence in all, but the most sophisticated of tasks. Where science discovers the secrets of the Universe. Where war is but a tiny speck amidst the vast expanse of peaceful existence. Where the Solar System is just a stepping stone to limitless exploration. Instead, what it got was a virus that forced us to stop behaving normally. Mother Nature’s anguished rebuttal to constant abuse and misuse forced humans to consider, for the very first time in many years, that they are not at the centre of the universe. Rather, they are so fragile that a single microscopic being fundamentally could alter the ways of the world! Lives were taken away. Jobs suddenly lost value. Abruptly, the most valuable thing was a puny hand sanitiser and a cotton mask. Rich or poor, happy or sad - man was forced to accept that life would no longer be the same. Money couldn’t save people anymore. 

Neither could status. Nor was their ego of any good. So what was it then? Why did people take so long to appreciate the fact that nature doesn’t take kindly to repeated abuse? That there is a lot more to life? Or more importantly, why does it take a tragedy for people to learn? There have alwaysbeen signs. Signs that nature wants to fight back. Signs that there must be a change. But no, humans are obstinate. 2 Should they continue to be called the most intelligent creatures...or could the new definition be the most stupid ones? Time to evaluate this. It is best we live in the present. There are clouds, but where there is darkness, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. One of life’s greatest champions once said,” We either win or we learn”. In an age where morality has been at an all-time low, it is time to learn that there is more to life than justwealth and success. 

That values likekindness, selflessness, humility and gratitude are perhaps more necessary than ever before. It is time to understand that it is more important to strive for the ultimate truth: strive for peace and happiness amongst all living beings on this wonderful green planet. COVID-19 has been a severe shock, but if taken positively, has the potential to transform lives. Thank you dear virus for showing that humans are not the Best in nature’s creation. Thank you, for making the most intelligent race of creatures understand that nothing can be taken for granted. Thank you, for restoring love, compassion and kindness within countries and continents as they fight for a common cause. But most of all, thank you Corona, for teaching me the best lessons of life! Usha Rani VV English teacher Senior School Page 3

 ~Ms. Usha Rani V V

English Teacher-Senior School

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