Sleeves up for the shot in the arm

Nagpur: The decision on taking vaccine has been left to individual choice until now, but if the pandemic has to ebb, everybody needs to get vaccinated. “Look at Israel, which is almost entirely vaccinated. Life has returned to normal there,” said Pratham Golcha, a third year student, while supporting the idea of making vaccination compulsory.
Upneet Kaur Chauhan, BA final year student, too stressed the need to vaccinate all, while explaining that those not vaccinated could be potential carriers. “If the pandemic doesn’t end everywhere, it doesn’t end anywhere,” said Abhishek Yadav, a MA political science student, adding vaccination is the only scientifically proven option to end this pandemic.
Taking a cautious approach, CA final year student Ritik Pahuja wants authorities to study the side-effects and exclude high-risk groups from taking the jab. Ritik said he had heard about sugar levels rising in some people after vaccination, with some even dying due to side-effects. “Such adverse events need to be investigated,” he said.
In a counter view, BA final year Hanif Chimthanawala, said deaths after vaccination have been misunderstood as due to adverse reaction of vaccine. “Get vaccinated, not only for yourself but also for the safety of others like your colleagues, teachers and parents,” he said.
On whether they are looking forward to attending physical classes and hanging out after getting vaccinated, Tanushree said being in the last semester, she has very few days of college left and so she would like to go out.
It was a definite yes for Dhairya Maroo, a BE first year student, who said he hasn’t even seen his college yet. “Going out of home changes the environment. Socializing is important for all of us,” he said. Upneet is comfortable being online for a year even after getting vaccinated as long as she “is allowed to move out”.
Sounding a note of caution, Pratham said it’s a wait and watch scenario because one never knows when situation will turn bad. “We have adapted to online learning and it will take one more year till the situation returns to normal,” he said.
Abhishek expects to get back to normal life and attend physical classes only after all are vaccinated.
Looking back at the last one year, when all were more or less confined to their homes and how it has affected them as a person, Vaishnavi Iyer, a first year student, said she has discovered a new self. “I learned new things I had not thought of earlier. Now, we are closer to our family than ever before,” she said.
“It’s been good in some aspects and bad in others,” said Dhairya, who loves to be outdoors. But he learned new skills like drawing and cooking while staying indoors.
Ashit Gajbhiye, BE 3rd year student, mostly looks at the brighter side. “Learning online saved travel time. One could also connect with people world over on social media. Earlier I used to play outside but now I work out daily at home,” he said.
Upneet feels privileged to have remained indoors. “I have become reserved as I am not comfortable with sharing emotions online,” she said, adding the changes are going to stay with her.
For Tanushree, it was a dreadful thought to stay indoors all the while. “But as long as there are opportunities, that will keep me going even at home,” she said.
Young adults like the panellists are by default now spending more time with parents and immediate family. Talking about its impact, Vaishnavi said it’s been a bitter-sweet experience. “At times youngsters need privacy, which is missing now. But overall, family bond has strengthened as we are helping out each other,” she said.
Upneet sees a change in the way she looks at her parents but for Pratham it’s the same as before. Pratham said he is now more comfortable with making online friends and the mutual respect between him and parents has only grown.
Ritik is thankful his brother and sister, who were studying outside, could return to the city during the lockdown “as staying together has developed a connect”.
Dhairya said he has always shared feelings with his mother, who is a teacher. “That hasn’t changed,” he said.
What struck Tanushree the most is, “Men don’t contribute much in household chores and only girls are expected to take it up. It shouldn’t be a big deal if men too help in household chores.”
Pratham said at least there is a realization that men are supposed to help in domestic tasks. “The chores were distributed between my brother and me. We would do stuff like playing and watching web series only after that,” said Hanif, who feels bad for some of his friends, who have been away from their families for over a year now.
One thing the pandemic has taught us is that life is uncertain and things don’t necessarily work out as per plan, said Tanushree. “Sticking to one timeline isn’t going to work anymore,” she said.
Pratham said there is uncertainty but one should be thankful for just being alive. “Showing little bit of empathy is really important now,” he said.
All said and done, having the means and money is important, feels Upneet, who aims to become financially independent.
Giving example of some businessmen to explain how the pandemic has changed our views about success, Ritik said instead of cribbing about losses, they decided to help others in need. For Vaishnavi, success still means attaining life goals.
Ashit said those having enough money in the current scenario can help those in need. On a personal level, Ashit said he would be content with whatever he gets. Abhishek believes those having money are helping others.
All the youngsters did their bit to help others during the lockdown last year. Upneet said she helped her father who provided meals to migrant workers and also extended monetary help to their domestic helps.
Vaishnavi said she coordinated with a social organization to send material to help needy children. “As a family, we helped in sanitization of government hospitals and police stations,” she said.
Apart from extending monetary help from his parents to their domestic help, Hanif said he and his cousins are providing meals to homeless people. “We provided money to our people who help in our daily life,” said Pratham.
Hanif was touched the most by the way actor Sonu Sood helped migrant workers during the lockdown. Back home, Vaishanavi is moved by people reaching out to each other or just enquiring about well being. She also appreciated a woman who she said is providing clothes and meals to people in slum areas. Upneet mentioned Khalsa Aid which is ensuring oxygen cylinders for patients in Delhi” and Hemkunt Foundation.
Ritik is impressed the most by the story of a vendor providing coconut water for free to patients and their relatives at hospitals. Pratham had praise for foreign players in IPL who extended help to India.
Seeing a woman feeding stray dogs moved Tanushree the most. “Along with humans, we should not forget the animals too,” she said.

People will take mental health more seriously, become more sensitive
People will sympathize with others for some time, but once we are back to normal, this mentality will fade away
Certain groups who took a hit would be more humane
Large chunk will forget about the pandemic in five years or so
There would be more accountability. People would start demanding better things from those who govern them
Hygiene would be of utmost importance