Lessons the Covid-19 taught me.

Lessons the Covid-19 taught me.

As the clock strikes 10 pm, we glue our eyes to the small screen perched on the improvised TV stand in our living room and it has, of late, become a family time. My dad expects every one of us calm and quiet since that is the only news hour he can have it. Other times, he would be either driving or doing all other works an America-manufactured robot probably could not handle. Around this time, I noticed something unusual as my parents find time to keep themselves engrossed with TV programmes. The news, whether newsy or horrible, would draw their concentration. 

Towards the end of the news session, they would want me to provide more explanation, especially, on the status of Covid-19 in Bhutan. While they communicate with their rakes and herds in the national language, their ability to grasp the essence of the news read in flying Zhungkha necessitates me to interpret them the entire news once again. One time, I was sharing with them that two of the COVID-19 positive patients recovered and their expression turned brighter. Their expression implied that they found solace as much as they were infuriated by the news that some people have been caught committing heinous crimes along the borders. I found them curse those people genuinely as though their mere curse could come true or it was better than the felony degree sentence.  

One thing I wish from them more than inheritance is they either continue to sleep some more time or they don’t wake me up in the morning. More than disappointment, they would shout and shake the peace of mind to the extent that the COVID19 pandemic has shaken the world. This trait has germinated the feeling of why must hostels be better than homes to sleep. Funnier is, I miss the college days that my parents missed to attend and would never understand the charm of college life, thanks to them though.     

Back to one of the college days, I clearly remember that morning when one of my friends rushed to share that all educational institutes will be shut, and we have to leave home immediately. I could wish nothing more than our college closing temporarily like some institutes in the Dzongkhags which were already closed. By the time my wishes came true, my friends were already busy arranging ferries to take them home while the TV continued to show the World Health Organization officials talking lots about coronavirus which I could understand none at that moment. The only thing I clearly understood was the death toll in China hit more than 3000 by then and the virus was spreading to other countries. Nothing shocked me more than the news of detecting the first positive case in Bhutan and an American tourist brought it. I thought that was the end of the world for me. 

As 1700 fellow students drove home, the busy and beautiful Sherubtse College became sick and deserted. It got deprived of its inherited ambiance as much as the commercial hub of Wuhan in China lost its economic actors at an instant. That night, I gazed at the majestic clock tower, the flickering lights around it, and took the last goodnight click, the sense of gratefulness and belongingness to the premier institute of Sherubtse in mind growing even more. More than the sense of gratitude, I was touched to the core of my heart when the College administration boarded us into buses and paid travel expenses of students. Deep in my heart, I knew I can never repay the love and care the college showered upon us. To the most extent, I could text my message of gratitude to the leader’s group chat- “Thank you so much, I am home, safe now.” 

Back in the village, many things have already started taking turns. Villagers were at the helm of stockpiling rations enough to last six and more months and tilling gardens to grow vegetables. All conversations turned casual and into jokes of coronavirus being a beautiful young lady with the blood of a cobra- a beautiful name but lethal. News, both fake and true have already hallowed over my village. Once, my mother claimed with pride that the virus stands no chance against them as their immunity has evolved much better due to having worked in the extreme weather conditions and their alcohol habit would do wonders against it.

This was what someone in the village shared after reading a hoax from the internet. Social media can bring more impact especially during such dire times as the pandemic. As a social-media-savvy, I even became a source of news and happenings for them at one point in time. At times, I had to alter a story on Facebook just to make them feel that staying within the confinement of their village-dom was safer than looking for opportunities in the town while bearing in mind that truth was also important for them. 

Meantime, the virtual classes started and additional challenges began to unfurl. The erratic network and frequent power disruptions disconnected me from the teaching sessions. Parents’ expectation to help them de-escalated my morale to attend the classes as per schedule. My duty as a son of peasant parents coerced me into more chores than attending classes and, at times I had to cheat myself by believing that classes are called off. Upholding parents’ sentiments was the wind that blew the dark clouds over my duty as a student. The day’s work brought exhaustion to my body and mind, and dozing off was the only option I had at the end. 

But one thing that kept me moving is the thought of our visionary King who sacrifices his family time for the safety of the country. It is unimaginable to see His Majesty walk length and breadth of the country day out and night in, risking His life. I could only think how much pain it brings to leave behind the Royal family, especially Gyalsey and the newly born Royal Prince, just to keep us safe. Any rock- minded Bhutanese must understand why we are lucky to be born in Bhutan and what responsibility we got as a happy citizen of this heavenly abode. 

Yonphula, 2nd semester

It is heartening to watch how the government makes decisions, and the unwavering support everyone provides. Even teachers came forward to volunteer and bring in new reforms in the way they impart lessons. All in all, I saw an increased degree of solidarity and hard work put by both teachers and learners. Eventually, a dedicated will from both ends is defeating the problems that hinder the teaching-learning environment. For me, more than the academic lessons, it equipped me with social skills and life-long lessons. Financial, work, and time management has become handy for me. Therefore, the outbreak of Covid-19 is opportunistic as much as it is challenging for us. It is important we know how to embrace challenges in our lives.

Lately, as the Ministry of Education has notified about the reopening of educational institutions, students are excited and I confess that I am one amongst them. However, we should be cautious not to risk ourselves by the decision that education is important. We can go to schools and learn, but only if we are alive. Similarly, we should realize the purpose of our existence and moral responsibility as a student to say prayers for the safety and wellbeing of His Majesty the King and the people.

Therefore, I express my promises and prayers to never fail the moral trust, social security, and economic balance they ensure for us. By sharing this short note, I wholeheartedly re-dedicate myself to the service of TSA-WA-SUM for all times. The impressive stories of the selfless sacrifices His Majesty makes for us will be the guiding principle of my life. Please join me in saying prayers for everyone in the country who are involved in the fight against the virus. Let us all live and get old to retell these successful stories of ours to the grandchildren in future.

Thank you, readers, for your time.