In these unprecedented and apocalyptic circumstances, Monarose Sheila Pereira spoke to a cross-section of people across Bandra to know how they are keeping themselves occupied. As activities have confined to the four walls of the house, work from home has become an instant mantra with kitchen and living rooms buzzing in affable pursuits.
Siddharth Meghani, India’s Elvis Elvis Presley
I have been keeping myself busy running errands for essential grocery shopping and helping around the house with chores and dabbling in some cooking or helping in the kitchen. I tried my hand at cooking and successfully made some yummy dishes. I sent it over to my friend who cannot cook and is home alone. I also made a few videos of me singing and posted it on Facebook and Instagram account and helped spread happiness and light. Apart from my evening walk in the compound. I feed a couple of strays outside my house in the evening and then sort of end my evening with a live mass on Facebook with Fr. Warner at 7 pm and then listen and watch some of the music my friends and fellow musicians live stream on various social media platforms.
Dominica D’souza, Flutist
The lockdown hasn’t altered my schedule drastically, except for commuting which in Mumbai takes up most of the day. My husband and I still begin our day with Holy Mass (streamed live daily by our Parish), and since we’re home, we also recite the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. During the day, I’m logged onto work. We do have online training modules which we can attend at our own pace. During breaks and in the evenings, I go about sorting or recycling stuff collected over the years! When the mood beckons, it’s time to play the flute and sometimes, the harmonica, guitar and old Yamaha keyboard! In between, I check up on my mum and communicate with folks and friends through WhatsApp or calls. While sharing recipes with the sisters, mum and aunts, I keep a tab on the situation on Twitter or TV networks. I’ve also managed exercising (though I must confess, I’ve been eating way much more than I normally do!!), making flower arrangements, crocheting (completed two shawls so far) and baking as well! Household chores and cooking, you may ask. My husband chips in almost all of the time! Blessed, right?
Rumina Rai, Asst. Professor, Coordinator, BMM Dept., R.D. National College
After the lockdown was announced I couldn’t be more delighted. I made a quick mental pack with myself that of course, it will be safe for us to stay put indoors but what will it do for me as an individual? The answer I realized only lay within. The first morning gave me enough time to saunter around my abode to count the pans and pots of my kitchen, had a heart to heart chat with my husband and allotted tasks to my son. As the evening sunset on us I realized that there’s so much more I could do with this ‘free time’ as this had never happened to any of us before (we get such limited time) so I decided I would start cooking, adorning my very forgotten chef ‘s hat for my family who never had forced me to cook. I started cooking to my families heart’s content and in the process gained so many brownie points with the family. I am trying to focus so much more on my health, my sleep (which always goes for a toss) and quality time with my family. In this challenging time we need to keep our calm; send out help to those who are less fortunate and spend time with oneself which will turn out to be the biggest investment I feel in the days to come.
Keira Ferreira, student, St Joseph’s Convent High School
I do not think it is right for us to pass the class without clearing our exams. I have worked so hard during the year and done well. I would surely want to evaluate myself to know where I stand at the end of the year, so I am prepared to take on the next class with confidence. I do hope that everything is okay soon and I can go to school. I have been working on the coming school class lessons, reading textbooks and workbooks. I am looking forward to school next year. I miss meeting my friends and the fun we have in school.
Elson Miranda, Keyboard player
The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown has indeed given me a wonderful opportunity to sit back at home, relax, give online music lessons to my students and mainly improvise on my singing, guitar and keyboard playing skills. I was looking forward to a break as I was always wanted to productively improvise on myself. I am a self-taught musician. I had never joined any music institute or taken any course. I learnt music completely on my own. So it feels great to look back at my musical journey so far. I try my best to make people happy through music as I firmly believe that music leaves a strong impact on people. Harmonious music is one element to please a pressured mind. The lockdown period is the best time to invest it in entertaining yourself. Make your playlist of favourite songs and keep rolling them one by one. Also, take-up playing a musical instrument that you always dreamt of playing. Hearing music will lead your mind to forget the stress of the real world for some time.
Sheldon D’Silva, Lead Guitarist
This lockdown has been a great opportunity to get creative. I’ve been producing and recording a lot of music, practising, posting videos and taking online video bass lessons with some very talented and enthusiastic students. Besides this I have been doing regular household stuff like cooking, cleaning, watching movies and working out.
Shikha Gala, student, St. Andrews College
I miss hanging out with my friends and classmates. Now we hang around through audio and video chats. But the lockdown has forced us to spend more time with our families and I think this is a good thing. It has brought families together and we bond more. I also watch a lot of videos and help around the house.
well written n researched article …. kudos to the author ….