Mushtaq wani
Maqbool utters with heavy heart but determined voice “Main Hoon Naa” as he remembers disorder and fear created by deadly Corona Virus last year. He says that last year we clapped, clanged utensils, lit diyas to salute bravery of all warriors and it motivated me to come front to serve the society as a frontline worker.
Maqbool a social worker has been one of the strongest pillars of society over many years, got his son’s wedding scheduled before the lockdown. Right before the wedding, the lockdown was announced and his children could not move from Bangalore as all trains and flights were cancelled. The wedding had to be called off leaving him and his wife all alone with their family stuck thousands of miles away but it didn’t deterred him rather he says “I have seen numerous ups and downs in my life, but have bravely faced the severest of hardships and this determines me to stand tall and do something for society during the pandemic in spite of knowing the risk of death is 15 times more in healthcare workers.” He continued his battle despite many odds and also enunciates, “In war, you do not make soldiers unhappy. Travel the extra mile and channel some extra money to address their grievances.” He kept running from pillar to post to ensure that the society, Mohallas and village he lives in be safe and no one falls prey to this disease.
During the pandemic his wife waited for him all the time and prayed for his safety and well-being in this petrifying era, he refuses to come home. Children ask him “Papa! kaise ho? (Father! How are you?)” and “Tabiyat to theek hai? (Is your health alright?)”, and he has to put up a brave face every time while emotionally this breaks him. Both sides on the video call fake a smile and strength, fighting back tears so that the person on the other side feels comfortable.
Remembering the panic in the society he pronounces “Time is tough, but the era belongs to the toughest. What we had to be confronted with, is already here cruel, tyrant, dominating, and petrifying”. Virus is spreading exponentially and people infected is also rising exponentially day by day, minute by minute. But we must remember that being worried and depressed can do us no good to better our tomorrow. It will only work to reduce our immunity, making us more vulnerable to it. Thus it is mandatory to keep our spirits high and fears aside. Times are crucial and testing. Winning over fear is the war half-won. Be positive if you don’t want to be Covid positive.
More importantly he is instrumental in conveying and making the society understand which had completely overshadowed the steps taken by the government due to fear factor caused by the disease. At present a ray of hope is felt as everyone is trying their bit to fight this disease by themselves. He takes a deep breath and says that ‘I have achieved my aim as society is educated now to fight against disease’. While saying so he also adds we all are praying and thanking God for keeping us healthy, we must not forget to express our gratitude towards our doctors and nurses who are working around the clock treating COVID-19 patients and spreading awareness. They are determined to save as many lives as possible and help the country contain the pandemic. A salute to these corona warriors epitomizing humanity in challenging times.
THANK YOU MAQBOOL FOR BEING YOU !!!!!
