Corona Virus Diary -1

Corona Virus Diary -1 (March 23, 2020)

(I have been confined in a building for the last two weeks. We are more than 70 of us in the same building. We try to keep ourselves isolated in our respective rooms and have very minimum interactions with each other. But life has not stopped. Life keeps on going like a flowing river. It is all together a different experience.)

It’s Monday! Like many other students, Monday is the most boring day of the week for me. After the weekend, it is difficult to get back to the classroom again and eventually at the centre of consultation for the practical work. Every Monday, I used to be at the university around 8.20. But today, I have to remain in my room.

8.00: As usual, after the morning prayer and breakfast, I took my smartphone to connect with the world. There were messages from Bangladesh, India, Srilanka, USA, Italy, Ireland...The world has indeed become a global village. It is a humbling experience that many people care for me. They wish me ‘stay safe’ and assure me ‘prayer’.  

10.00: I got a phone call from one of my classmates, with whom I am supposed to present a seminar next week. After the initial business talk, we began to share our life of these days. Then we connected with another friend. Three of us had video call by using zoom. What a joy ‘being’ together online. We have been together for last four years in the university- attending the lectures, having a chit-chat during breaks, doing assignment and occasionally eating Indian food outside! A sudden epidemic has brought our life into a standstill. But this has helped me to value the friendship.

12.00: As usual, I celebrated Mass with another friend. In spite of suffering, we try to ‘find’ God in everything. We find consolation and become energetic as we celebrate life with the Eucharistic Lord. 

14.00:  After the lunch, I was talking with a senior Jesuit, who happened to celebrate toady his 75^th birthday. I had to entered to his room to get a book. It was a mini library. I could find only books and books. Of course, there is a small cot and a very few personal belongings. I have seen many Jesuits, who have only books as their personal belongings.

20.30 After the dinner, I went to the terrace for a walk with the same friend with whom I celebrate Mass these days. It was so windy that we had to cut-short our walk. I went to the community recreation room to watch a film with some of the community members. My friend arrived little later. He gave me a chocolate and sat next to me. We kept on laughing as it was a hilarious film...Perhaps, this is the Jesuit community life, friends are always there to be with you to bring little ‘chocolate’ at the most difficult time...