New Delhi, Jul 12 (IANS): Urging people to introspect on the life during the last few months of the coronavirus induced confinement, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said the pandemic needs to be looked at not only as a disaster, but also as a 'corrector' for making necessary changes in the perspectives and practices of living.
Referring to the over two-month lockdown to contain the deadly pandemic, Naidu asked if people have learned the right lessons and equipped themselves to deal with such uncertainties. Seeking to engage with the people on the causes and consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, Naidu posted on Facebook on Sunday 'Musings of Life in Corona Times'.
Writing in a conversational format, the Vice President posed 10 questions. This 10-point matrix, Naidu said would also help in knowing if the people have equipped themselves with the necessary understanding so as to help prevent recurrence of such adversities in the future.
The Vice President stressed that the pandemic needs to be looked at not only as a disaster, but also as a 'corrector' for making necessary changes in the perspectives and practices of living so as to live in harmony with nature and culture and the attendant guiding principles and ethos.
"Constant evaluation of the course of life in all its manifestations and in the totality of context is an essential pre-requisite for a higher living. One such opportunity is now as we live with coronavirus," Naidu said.
The thrust of Naidu's 'Musings of Life in Corona Time' is to properly define the purpose of life besides revisiting the course, nature and pace of modern life with suitable alterations for a harmonious and measured living.
The suggestions made by Naidu for anxiety free living include; thinking and acting right like looking at food as a medicine that sustains healthy life; acquiring a spiritual dimension to life going beyond material pursuits; adhering to the principles and practices of right and wrong; sharing with and caring for others; nurturing social bonds and repurposing the life for a meaningful living.
Dwelling on the causes of frequent disasters, Naidu said: "The planet does not need us while we need the planet. Claiming sole proprietor over the planet as if it is meant only for humans has upset the natural balance triggering adversities of different kinds."
On the differential impact of the pandemic with some sections being hit the most, Naidu said: "We are born equal and end up being unequal as time flows. The pandemic has exposed the heightened vulnerabilities of some sections which are not of their making. They are more systemic and need to be adequately addressed. Your way of living could be one of the reasons for enhanced vulnerabilities of others."
Alluding to the larva slowing down its life as a cocoon and emerging from it as a butterfly, the Vice President urged the people to emerge as butterflies by properly reflecting on the experiences of life during the current pandemic and drawing right lessons from them for a secure future.