Let Us Follow Covid19 Rules And Guidelines

These are unprecedented times. After many years, our world is presently witnessing another pandemic. In this present scenario, considering the examples of other nations, who flouted rules, we need to learn and take care.

I feel very angry when I see people eager to exercise their "freedom" by not listening to instructions. Some of them keep loitering around on the road, like old days, instead of being at home.

I saw a couple of videos posted by Indians abroad. As many nations are presently under quarantine and lockdown, people are adjusting with the conditions. Everyone has come to accept the extraordinary situations and understand that this is the new normal. They are strictly following guidance. Apart from health and medical practitioners worldwide, this is the plea of government officials and even understanding ordinary citizens.

Lessons From Coronavirus #Covid19

The coronavirus i.e. Covid-19 has several lessons for the world.

Pandemic for the World

World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared coronavirus a pandemic. Almost our entire world has been affected by the coronavirus, with patients now spread over 195 countries by now. We are all on the same boat and united in our fight against the coronavirus.

Source

Many have been killed across the world.

About 30 military trucks have crossed Italy’s Bergamo, from the cemetery to the highway, with about 70 coffins of people killed by coronavirus that the cemetery can no longer manage: there are too many and will be cremated or buried elsewherehttps://t.co/OBTvmfIyuK

— Alfons López Tena (@alfonslopeztena) March 19, 2020

Haves and Have-Nots 

Coronavirus does not differentiate between the rich or poor nations, or the non-religious or religious. Age, gender, race, income etc. factors do not matter as now all that matters is - whether we are safe and do not 'have' the virus, and if we do 'have', then how to ensure we do not infect the 'have-nots' (i.e. those who are not suffering and do not 'have' the virus.). Nations are busy working to ensure the 'haves' population in this case is checked and 'have-nots' maintain their status.

But, nations have to address the costly economic aspects too. The 'have-nots' (i.e. the poor- those without social security, bank-balance and income) need support in this tough time.

Apart from the toll on lives, the legacy of COVID-19 may well be deaths due to stress, loss of livelhoods, a rise in homelessness & in extreme situations, civil unrest. The only global experience that has lessons for us in the current situation is the last world war. (2/4)

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 19, 2020

Nirbhaya Case Justice #NirbhayaNyayDivas

On March 20, 2020, four animals were hanged at Tihar Jail. Calling them ‘animals’ is actually an insult to the animal species. As our motherland was relieved of the burden of the four, we breathed a sigh of relief that FINALLY there’s closure to the Nirbhaya Case...
Bharat Mata, Nirbhaya’s parents, Nirbhaya’s lawyer, and Nirbhaya Case followers & supporters now have reason to rejoice.
Efforts have borne fruit. Justice was delayed, but not denied.
March 20 is special as we celebrate the "International Day of Happiness" & Pakhala Dibasa too.

On Spring Equinox, the first day of Spring, we got the happy news FINALLY.
The strong crowd outside the jail cheered.

For us, henceforth the date will also be memorable as - #NirbhayaNyayDivas i.e. the day to commemorate justice for Nirbhaya.
From the past 7 years, we have been thinking why this ‘rarest of rare’ case of 2012 for which capital punishment had been announced in 2013, and that had extensive media coverage, public anger & pressure, law & fast-track court, & President’s support, was taking so long?
Why were the rapists & their lawyers given so many chances to feel victorious time and again?
Why were they allowed to waste precious time of the court?

Why were the dates shifted & new dates getting fixed?

Why new petitions were allowed to be filed by their lawyers again & again?

Who gave the money & support for the rapists’ case? Don’t those people deserve punishment too for siding up with the devils?

Make Way For Ambulance

When you see an ambulance or listen to its siren on the road, what do you do? 
Try to make way for it, right? 

When I find myself in such a situation on the road, I pray for the patient(s) and the family-member(s). I sincerely hope that may the patient(s) recover fast and be saved.

From the last couple of months, seeing the heavy traffic-jams and rush on the roads in Bhubaneswar, especially during peak-hours, I have been praying for the ambulance to reach the hospital before it's too late. 
The doctors can save the patient only when she/he reaches the hospital quickly and they have time to do what is necessary.

12 Points For Responsible Citizens #WorkForBharat #writebravely

India has always been under threat from enemies. History stands as a testimony how many invaders have plundered our nation over the ages. In the present age, there are many threats to our India’s unity, integrity and peace. With the massive reach of Social Media and technology, there must be judicious use of apps and gadgets. While we are quick to enjoy our freedom and rights, we must not forget our duties, making sure we go through all the check-posts and tunnels on our journey to ensure a safe nation.

 Image : Pexels

We need to nurture and be nurtured as responsible citizens. Our action and involvement must increase especially when our nation faces crises.

Here is a list of 12 things we as responsible citizens can do every day:

Dream For A Swachh Bharat #BlogToPM

Dear PM Modiji,

I truly appreciate all the steps you have taken to ensure #SwachhBharat.
However, I am afraid the following need urgent attention:

Dust-bins Usage
The installed dust-bins with 'Wet' & 'Dry' bins are not solving their purpose as people still prefer to dump their garbage on the road and other places excluding the dust-bin...

Toilets
Many public places are yet to have proper toilet facilities for the convenience of all. Can we ensure well-maintained and clean toilets at least in the heritage and other important tourist sites to start with?

Despite toilets in their homes/locality, some citizens prefer not to use them.

Garbage in the minds, hearts & deeds
We can install dust-bins and can construct toilets, but how to remove the garbage in the minds, hearts and deeds of our society?
Evil intentions and actions such as corruption, bribery, cheating, stealing, misbehaviour, littering, spitting, molestations, rapes etc. are enemies of development and show our nation in poor light.
Why do the culprits, who indulge in these acts, walk away scot-free?
They should be penalised and jailed. Bail should be denied to them.
Why are the victims targeted and made scapegoats of the society?

If people are heavily punished after being caught red-handed or when proven guilty for such acts, they will be deterred to act/behave so and crimes will reduce.

Could we please introduce & demand hefty "fine" or penalty from those who spit, urinate, litter on the roads and those who bribe, cheat, steal etc.?
Many nations already have such laws and strict enforcement too to uphold the same.
Public can be encouraged to click pictures of those they catch in the act and name and shame such people.
That should help ensure a truly #SwachhBharat for all of us.

Thank you for your consideration,
Jai Hind!
-A proud Indian & Dreamer of #SwachhBharat


Thanks to BlogAdda for this opportunity.

Do you feel punishment will deter crimes? 
What do you feel? Do share in the comments below.

Happy Or Hopeless By The Window Seat ?

Life seems fine and happiness reigns by the window seat. 

The views are spectacular sometimes. One is filled with awe while viewing the clear blue sky and the vast expanse, the rich colours of the sun, the pretty shapes of the clouds, the flock of birds...

While I'm travelling by air, I like to occupy the window seat to witness all this and more. Sometimes, I spot an 'Oxbow lake' and some other natural features, and remember my Geography Ma'am and school text-books.

But, over the past several years, life by the window seat makes me wonder about the lack of greenery and forest-cover. Why are such great patches barren and devoid of any trees? 

Odisha India Handlooms

Spicy Saturday Post Here

I am yet to visit most parts of our world. But, wherever I have been, I am conscious that I am not in my motherland, rather I am a cultural ambassador of India there. I make it a point to wear Indian clothes and use Indian products most of the time, especially when I am abroad.

Wearing Indian handlooms attracts a lot of attention. Random strangers stop by to shower gracious compliments- "Very nice costume", "So pretty", "Lovely dress", "Love the pattern/design/print", "I want something like what you are wearing!"...

The cloth/design refers to the Ikat cloth and handlooms of Odisha that I wear most of the time. 

The bright colours and patterns and varieties of dress-materials and Sarees steal hearts.

VanaMahotsav In Bhubaneswar

There is little doubt that the temperature is rising and we are feeling the heat.
Plant more trees and help our cities to beat the heat.
More trees are a necessity and a treat.

Our Planet Earth needs to be treated right, else with our haphazard ways, we have to bid goodbye to it and look for a new home...

By 2100,8 degrees Celsius warmer cities
Or
Better planet🌎 with more trees?
Plant #Trees please🌲🌳#WED2017 #WorldEnvironmentDay #environment pic.twitter.com/ztaIxLWfW4

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) June 3, 2017

Trees are much needed. Unfortunately, "everybody wants to park in the shade, but not many are willing to plant a tree."

Hope everyone wants to plant a tree just like everyone wants to park in d shade! #PlantTrees #Trees 🌎 #Earth#WorldEnvironmentDay #WED2017 https://t.co/ekGZ43pUNa

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) June 5, 2017

Some are willing, but they have no clue how to go about it! Last year, I was looking for a space for my Mango saplings.

Need-any free space/land where I can plant my Mango saplings🌱 & they'll be allowed to grow into trees🌳.
Pl inform.🌿 pic.twitter.com/6oDCkhazpv

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) June 22, 2016

After much follow-up, I was given five tree-guards from Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). I planted five saplings on the roadside, but I still have the rest of the saplings at home...

This year I had been looking forward to join in the VanaMahotsav event.

Did you know that #Vanamahotsav was started in 1950 by the then Union Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr K. M. Munshi? #conservation pic.twitter.com/RHE5mHjaTW

— Amar Chitra Katha (@ACKComics) July 3, 2017

At Vana Mahotsav, announced decision to observe 7 July as State Plantation Day & plant record 50 lakh saplings in one day across #Odisha⁠⁠⁠⁠ pic.twitter.com/ShvB4lv84T

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 2, 2017

Proud to be actively involved along with members of Aryan Cub -  a local youth club, Baristha Nagarika Sangha - Senior Citizens Association, BMC officials & workers, Forest Division officials, and enthusiastic neighbours.
Together we have planned a plantation event.

Look who all occupied our car's backseat today! I tried to memorize their names!

Driven to be planted on VanaMahotsav !

Excited to attend our very own VanaMahotsav in Bhubaneswar!
Here are the details:

Date: 7th July, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Venue: Aryan Club Sporting Ground, located in the next lane of Happy Hours School, Sahid-Nagar, and near SBI, Sahid-Nagar, Bhubaneswar.
All are invited!

If you are in Bhubaneswar and you have always dreamed to plant a tree, you are most welcome to join us.

Note- The plantation space is limited. Be punctual to get a chance!

My #CityEvent post for IndiSpire Edition 176
Three Word Wednesday- Goodbye, Memorize, Haphazard

Have you ever planted a tree in your life? Do share in the comments below.