Tales of pain and perseverance
The onset of the pandemic in early 2020 was embraced by most of us as a much needed break from our hectic academic schedule, though we were blissfully ignorant of the impact of the deadly virus. Baking, family staycations and starting small businesses were the prime motifs of many, who drew up hasty plans to utilise the recurring lockdowns. Reading books from a lengthy ‘TBR’ (To Be Read, for the uninitiated) pile and experimenting with different genres of Netflix or Prime offerings were our priorities for a while. Therefore the deadly side of the pandemic and its practical difficulties initially went unnoticed by many of us. This article attempts to share the personal experiences of three students of WCC during the pandemic.
The first story is about the financial difficulties faced by a student and her family. This family of six had been adversely affected by the lockdown, as the head of the family was forced to take a break from work. This forced their mother to work as a daily wage employee in construction firms for a paltry sum of Rs 480 per day. They had to depend on ration shops for their provisions. Paying fees for the student and three of her younger siblings became an added challenge. After months of dejection and anxiety, relaxation of the lockdown finally helped her father resume his job, bringing back some stability and financial security to the family. She says that the college management was empathetic and gave an extended period of time to pay the fee, which was a much appreciated gesture during the crisis period.
The second account is about a student who experienced the brunt of the deadly disease in her family. Her father who was affected by the pandemic was admitted in ICU under the lower surviving rate unit. She says that she “felt crushed” and understood the dejection of other families trudging the same path. Her mother who had depended on her father all her life was in a fix, managing the finances of the family, looking after her husband and ensuring the smooth conduct of household affairs. She says, “this really tested the adaptability and flexibility of my mother”. Her father’s near-death experience was an opportunity to alter her perspective on life and to cherish the little joys of normal life. The recovery of her father was nothing short of a miracle, something that she will not take for granted.
The last story is that of a family estranged, miles away from each other as a result of the pandemic. Apart from the obvious concerns regarding economic collapse and risk to health, the intensive and complicated process of procuring permits for travel was a harrowing experience. This student was unable to meet her parents and her younger sibling who are settled in the Middle East. The added tension of the health hazard of COVID-19 was inflicting mounting pressure on the family who were yearning to be together. This took an emotional toll on the student, who couldn’t concentrate on her academics. Even simple chores became a burden to her. She started skipping meals and this affected her health. Nevertheless, she eventually overcame her low spirits with the aid of spirituality that served as a guiding light.
The more prominent troubles of the pandemic might make headlines elsewhere but the oblivious ones often go unnoticed. Regardless of the degree of problems, every kind of concern comes with its own downward spiral. It is our commitment to the sisterhood of WCC to be pillars of strength and helping hands to our friends during these difficult times. The small gestures we extend are the ones that have a mighty impact!
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