25th March 2020 – Unique Ugadi (Covid-19 ke side effects 😊)

To begin with “Happy Ugadi” to everybody, quite late in the night after the festivities have ended. Ugadi is celebrated to usher in the new year as per the Hindu Panchang (calendar). A new year filled with hope of newer beginnings and success. Ugadi is usually celebrated in the South Indian States of Karnataka, Telengana and Andhra Pradesh. The same becomes Gudhi Padwa for Maharashtrians, Cheti Chand for Sindhis & Sajibu Nongma Panba for Manipuris. 

These are unprecedented times for humanity. The entire world seems to be reeling in distress with limited visibility on the cure for the virus. Healthcare systems and workers are under stress like never before. Humanity has not experienced a situation like this in the past 50-70 years. Conversation yesterday with Amma went this way – “in my lifetime, I have not seen a situation like this where the country has to be locked down.” She got into the Club 70 last year. Just to provide a context, the wars of 1962, 1965, 1971, 1999 were all fought on the borders with the enemy, intent and possible aftermath/results being known or understood. Wars are expensive affairs and the duration depends on how quickly the end political objective is reached. Covid-19 is beyond all these conventions of war. Enemy, intent & end state are all unknown variables in the current context. It will need highest levels of participative restraint to break this enemy and keep the damage within manageable proportions.

There are many upsides to the 21- day lockdown laid out within India. The first thing that comes to my mind is no traffic & stress to get to work 😊. Secondly, some of our amazing hidden talents like sweeping, mopping, cooking and cleaning dishes get an avenue to be expressed and explored 😊. Thirdly, more time with family for some fun filled banter 😊. I must say, somewhere in the last decade and half we all in our own ways have participated in this rat race to be at the top of the pyramid. Whether we have reached, was it worth it are questions for another time. Our families have surely supported us, but have we acknowledged or given back enough is a question that we must ask ourselves. Here is a great opportunity to rebuild those old bonds and bridges to bring more harmony within our families. Lastly, this gives us great opportunity to look within, reflect and course correct. Seek & provide feedback professionally and personally. And yes, fitness goals! How could I possibly miss this? Please set yourself some fitness goals for these 3 weeks.

The challenges and the upsides that we currently encounter beautifully ties into the basic philosophy of life illustrated by “Bevu Bella”, the combination of Neem Leaves (bitter) and Jaggery (sweet). This is a preparation that one will find in most of the households in Karnataka on the Ugadi day. “Bevu Bella” teaches us to treat the bitter-sweet moments of life with equanimity. It gives you hope of light at the end of the tunnel, if you persevere enough. It also teaches you to appreciate the downside (for its experiences and learnings) and the upside (for the joy and exuberance). How easy would our lives be, if we brought this perspective into practice!

Having a spoon of the same, chewing it consciously, as the bitterness of neem leaves mixed with the sweetness of the jaggery hits your taste buds – oh a spiritual experience in itself 😊. As a kid growing up, I would be given a spoon of the same after the prayers and I would almost puke by the time I finished chewing up all the Neem Leaves and Jaggery. The jaggery inevitably melted faster in the mouth leaving me to chew the Neem Leaves towards the end. The foodie in me just comes to the fore in such conversations 😊. 

Getting the Neem Leaves till last night was an impossible task. We all were resigned to the fact that there would be no “Bevu” and only “Bella” this Ugadi. This was my childhood dream come true 😊.I always would give this feedback to Appa about how he would make this combination tilt more towards Neem Leaves than Jaggery. He would just smile and go ahead with his prayers. Maybe he was readying me for the tough battles that I would encounter in life! There is something about Appa and his unwavering belief & faith in the almighty. And before I knew, Sekhar (our milk vendor) was giving the Neem Leaves to Appa early in the morning. Thank you Sekhar!

Indeed a Unique Ugadi, which broadened my horizons and perspectives. I hope you all had a wonderful, fun filled Ugadi as well. I would reiterate the message of our Honorable PM – please stay home to save yourself and this country of ours.

I would request each one of you to please pray for speedy recovery of those infected by Covid – 19. For those who have lost their battle, please pray for their near and dear ones.

May this Ugadi of 2020 usher in success for the humanity at large in the fight against Covid-19 and drive humanity towards a more inclusive and sustainable living!