Mahabharat in Corona Times!

War against Corona began with the lockdown imposed since 24th March.  Telecast of the epic-serial Mahabharat (and also Ramayan) too was started from 28th March as if to supplement the effort in enforcing the lockdown.  More than thirty years ago these two great serials virtually had the power to confine entire India to their homes. 

War in Mahabharat was towards the end, whereas the Corona story has begun with the war itself! Our doctors and other paramedical staff are our front line warriors against Corona.  They are virtually working 24x7 staying away from their families for weeks together.  The story of the Belagavi

nurse Smt. Sugandha Korikoppa who could only shed tears from a distance on seeing her 3-year old daughter has melted the hearts of every one of us.  Such are the compulsions of the medical profession. Such high ideals for the nursing profession were laid by

Florence Nightingale, whose bicentennial birthday falls on 12th May.  The day is also celebrated world-wide as the international day of nurses. Florence came to limelight when she was the nurse in charge of care of the wounded soldiers during the Crimean war 

between UK alliance and Russia.  Popularly called the 'lady with the lamp', Florence, the succour of hope for the wounded soldiers is regarded as the 'founder of modern nursing'.  As a mark of respect to her services, nurses all over the world take their professional oath in her name.

The stories of many of our warriors themselves succumbing to Covid-19 are really unfortunate.  These brave hearts have never relented from their duty, although they knew that they run high risk of contracting the deadly virus.  Perhaps they were guided by the greatest lines of

from Bhagavatgeetha, which exhorted them to do their duty, leaving the consequences to the God.

Dr.KM Ismail Hussain, the founder of KM Hospital in Kurnool, AP was popularly known as 2-Rupee doctor.  Throughout his life of 79 years he served the poor irrespective of caste or religion.  While being on duty in treating Covid patients, he contracted the virus and died on 14th April.  May his spirit keep guiding us.

I am sure that with the help of our brave Corona warriors, India and the world are bound to win the war against Corona.  We as common men will certainly take note to contribute in all possible forms.

Corona crisis is not without positives.  Lockdown has shown us the way to rejuvenate the environment.  The scenes of clear Ganga and 

Himalayas visible from more than 200 kms are all welcome lessons. Mahabharat too has a great lesson on environment.

When brave Arjun, Bheem, Nakul and Sahdev disregard the sanctity of the Yaksha's pond while drinking its water, they had to pay by laying their lives.  Are not ponds and other water bodies asking us questions today?  Do we pay heed to preserve them? 

If we ignore their silent sufferings, will it not lead us to death?  When Yaksha offered to bring back to life at least one brother, Yudhistir requested to save his step-brother Sahadev first.  Even now, during such challenges our Corona warriors have certainly shown the way by ignoring their families, while rushing to save patients.

Corona lockdown has kindled the creativity among people.  People are taking to reading, writing and even coaching children.  TV serial Mahabharat has provided all of us the food for thought.  

For seniors like me the feeling is nostalgic, as the serial is a rerun from the times of our youth.  They say history repeats!  How true it is?  Like in Mahabharat, the Indo-Pak story is the story of conflict 

between two brothers. There was partition even during Mahabharat.  During partition of India, mediation was done by the British, but there was no such mediator in Mahabharat. India had leaders like  Yudhistir (Dharmaraj), who were ready to concede almost all terms demanded by the other camp. Like in Mahabharat, partition could not ensure peace and the war/s followed. With the passing away of veterans, accepted norms were thrown to the wind then, and it is happening even now.  All stakeholders have to realize that there can be no winner in a war. We all have to learn to live together in peace.

Thanks for reading.  Your comments are most welcome.

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