Of hope, courage and love

The earliest COVID-19 survivors of the city and their kin reveal how they have moved on from the disease as a stronger and more positive individual

By Anushree Vijaya Harshan

‘Staying calm amidst chaos’
♦ Smruti Thakkar,
Luxury brand management student
Staying alone in the hospital for 17 days at a stretch has made me confident that I can fight through anything. It has made me more positive. Besides, I understood the importance of staying calm in the midst of adversity. It not only keeps you fit mentally, but boosts your immunity as well. One shouldn’t be scared; if you have the virus, stay calm and if you don’t, be careful. This positivity led me to donate plasma twice. I was confused initially, but when I was told it doesn’t involve any risk, I was up for it. It wasn’t the same when I was diagnosed. I was so scared, I wasn’t able to breathe. I couldn’t meet my parents. I couldn’t sleep and would be up till 3-4am talking or playing games with family and friends or finishing assignments. I used to get panic attacks too. What was more frustrating was that despite showing recovery, my tests repeatedly came positive. But I got a lot of support from my loved ones. I was given good treatment too. The doctors would remain awake 24/7 and I was provided with everything. Now, I am looking forward to returning to Paris in August to complete my masters. Lectures and assignments are keeping me busy these days.


‘Can’t let a disease define me’
♦ Niyomi Shah,
Fashion designing student


When you are in a situation, you have two options: to brood over it or accept it and move on. I decided to do the latter as I can’t let a disease define me. Though, it has taught me to be ready for anything. It is not easy, but one must look for that one positive thing during these undesirable circumstances and keep going. And seeing the present circumstances, I feel lucky to have tested positive at that time as, then, they would test you twice for negative before discharging you. So, when I was leaving the hospital, I was 100 per cent sure that I do not have the virus. The experience at the hospital was really good too. The doctors had high chance of getting infected, and in such a case, you would expect people to run away from you. But they treated me with so much love and patience. However, I can’t imagine myself getting admitted again, it would be a nightmare. When I tested positive, there were only a few cases in India and, it being a new virus, not much was known about it. A lot of misinformation was also being circulated and everyone was really scared. So, for my family and me, it was really difficult to digest that I tested positive. But I received a lot of love and support, especially from my family. The first 15 days weren’t that bad, but it got insane later. I even had to take therapy for anxiety. It isn’t a life-changing disease as it doesn’t affect your physical health, but it takes a toll on you mentally. But everything has been good since I returned home.


‘When you’re fearless, you can fight anything’
♦ Dr Nitin Vora,
GMERS Medical College, Sola


When the samples for COVID-19 were being taken, we were least expecting my 92-year-old father, Sumanchandra (a retired teacher), to turn out positive. He has hearing loss and walks with the support of a walker besides having cardiac disease and BP. And at that time, it was compulsory for people to get hospitalised, which meant we would not be around to take care of him. So, we were taken aback when he tested positive. We were really concerned for him, however, we had no fear. Probably, that made all the difference. He was by and large asymptomatic and we treated the disease like any other viral infection. Also, I believe if you are a good human being, if you haven’t hurt anyone, you stay fearless. It gives you the inner strength to fight anything. It also felt good to be required by so many people. Initially, when my wife tested positive, it was difficult for people to accept the situation and I totally understand their fears. Later, I was surprised to receive so much support. My father was admitted on April 10 and we are happy with how the hospital staff took care of him. When the new rules allowed people over 85 years to be cared for at home, we brought him back. He returned on April 16, my daughter’s birthday. It was like a gift for her, she was looking forward to take care of him. My sister living in the US would call often to ask how she could be of help. Friends, relatives and neighbours kept on inquiring too. As we were quarantined, our neighbours brought essentials for us. My father’s students would also be in touch constantly.


‘There’s no fear at all’
♦ Sumiti Singh,
Co-founder of a pâtisserie


Idon’t know if I am immune to the infection, but the one thing I am sure of is there is no fear now. It took me almost two months to feel 100 per cent, healthwise and, as I keep busy with work these days, there are no unnecessary thoughts going on. I never felt helpless or hopeless while in the hospital too, maybe because I didn’t show severe symptoms. I probably wouldn’t have been saying the same if that was not the case. The only thing in mind was ‘What next?’ I kept on monitoring everything. Also, I was on Facetime with my family and friends all the time. Reading up on everything also came handy. That is exactly why I was shocked to have tested positive. I had always taken more precautions than the rulebook said, even when no information was provided by India and Finland. When the government was talking about quarantining, I was isolating myself. The support from family and hospital staff was crucial. I decided to write about my experience on social media to avoid spreading of false rumours, and I am glad it helped people.