The Gazetted Off

THE GAZETTED OFF

The working class will agree to that gazetted off (the holidays almost every Indian enjoy) were the most awaited ones. Many of us, including me, would mark the gazetted offs for entire year and club it for getting those long weekends. Such long breaks were the time to travel with family and unwind from the routine work life. With COVID 19 hitting us, with work from home culture replacing office space, with school and colleges wrapping up on screens, with no socialising , with no birthday parties for turning 16, 21 or 50, with no hugs of the loved ones, with no travel, life is certainly not the same!

So now if we talk about gazetted off, it holds no value. No one is now excited to count the number of long weekends. We have to be at home now, to be safe, to keep others safe. No family get-togethers, no goa with friends forever. But it gives us an important realisation. That there is no rainbow without the rain, no gain without pain. The breaks were enjoyable after slogging for months, after the daily rides in metros, buses and trains. Those tea breaks under the office building, those meals of the canteen on weekdays followed by fine dining on the weekends. The days will be back, sooner or later. But we must freeze and then unfreeze. We must understand that this time will never come back. The work from home, binge watching the series, baking cakes at home, becoming decorator, cleaner and caretaker of your home. Ramayana and Mahabharata series connected the Indian families and I hope each one of you have also seen it atleast once if not twice. The video calls to connect a little closer, as we have no other option to keep the loved ones safer. How priceless is hugs of the loved ones, CORONA has taught everyone. Namastees are certainly better than handshakes but google classroom can not replace the college bench. A lot of prayers have come true- no morning college classes, no more running to enter that closing school gate, no more excuses to get leave from office, no more formal, no more dressing up. The wish to stay in bed till late has also come true! But now all this is pinching us. All this is no more what we wish for. We want to go out, we want to experience the madly crowded metros, we want to run and grab a seat at rajiv chowk or may be just stand with our friends and chat throughout the way back home. I want to meet my friends, my students, see the happy faces when they get placed or graduate. A lot is missed this year, 2020 is indeed a speed breaker.

But this year has also taught us a lot of things. To be humble, to be caring, kind and count on the blessings which we never did. Roti-kapda-makaan, the three essentials, if you have them in this difficult time, you are blessed more than you think. The time is harsh for those who are struggling for food, who are unable to afford medical help.  Let’s not just pray, but also do our bit to help a few. Use this time to be with your family. Engage in conversation with ur parents, tell them to share their stories, build bond with them. Relive your travel moments, do craft with your younger siblings, cook with your mum or repair the home with your dad. Learn a new skill or may be teach a new skill. There is so much to do and explore. Just don’t sit and cry for this time, for this shall also pass.  The gazetted off will regain its importance, it will come back. Till that time follow the simple rules.. Live, Laugh and Love. Not only it will reduce your stress, build your immunity but also build a better world.