Heart in the times of COVID

The most #ethinic#colourful#cheerising#heartenriching#youthfull#watery... LOVE XX INDIA, #Banaras#Mathura.@cherish

 

This was the Facebook post by Martha Muller, a German citizen on 02.03.2020. She along with 10 foreigners has come to India to visit the famous Holi celebration in India, especially in the suburban areas of Banaras, and to see the true color of India. A local guide Raju Venkatesh Kumar Swami, called by all by name Ravan, the name signifies a cruel person, who has stolen Mata Sita from Ram, which resulted in the great war between God Ram and Evil Ravan. In present I, Ravan always wins as I am surrounded by so many Foreign Madams, he says in a comedian manner with a bit Hindi and bit English and adding some german favor. He is just 9 standard pass, or as he says rather than giving 10 th board exam, which he was sure of falling he get with a group of tourist in a tour of traveling India in 3 months, and get the opportunity to learn a tit and bit of English, French, and German.

 

Martha Muller, a 22 year fresh graduate from the University of Potsdam. Department of Linguistics, Germany in linguistic language with a minor’s in Hindi. She selected the Hindi language in her minor because she was mesmerized by the everlasting tales of Mahabharat, Ramayan, the story of the Krishna childhood, how he defeated Bakasur in such a small age, and a lot more, by Mrs. Murthi Krishna neighbor of Martha, whom She used to call grand maa. Martha always wanted to visit Banaras with her, to see the true colors of holi, but Mrs. Martha died in winter the previous year, and to keep the promise Martha visit India.

 

The group of foreigners, which Martha was a part of has decided to have a 3 day stay in Banaras and 6 days to meander around the outskirts of Uttar Pradesh. The flights were already been booked and Ravan was their tour guide for 10 days. Ravan and Martha used to talk to each other when they get time in between as there was a mutual benefit for both, Martha used to teach him German and in return, she learned Hindi. Gradually the days turned into weeks and 2 days were left for their flight. As in German new session was about to start a bit late as one of the Chinese students was COVID positive and hence the college administration has decided to test each of the staff and students present on the campus. I was planning to have my Master in Hindi and Sanskrit language, not because of my visit in India, but I wish to write all the story I heard and brought up with about India’s great tales, to write in the German language so that everyone can read and know how beautiful India is. In India there was no problem with COVID-19 infection and was left with 1 month in hand for a new session, I decided to travel to other parts of India to know much more about India. So I asked Ravan, to suggest someplace in India where I can go all of my own and explore the shades and tracks of it. He was a bit surprised at my guts of deciding to go alone, and he was a bit hesitant at first, but gradually submitted to my steer determination. But he said he has one condition, that I should keep his contact number and inform about my whereabouts so that he can help me in case of any emergency. Such a sweetheart he is, I willingly took his contact number saved in my laptop and promised to call him when I reached.

 

So, by 13 March I was in Amritsar the city of Golden Temple, Ravan suggested this city, as people around here are very lovable and always happy to greet new people. I extended my passport to 30.03.2020 and informed my parents above the delay. Everything was set to be perfect, I booked a lodge with the contacts of Ravan, (he is a life savior), I paid them an advance for 20 days, but I was just going to stay for 15 days, I was a bit confused. The hotel authority said they follow such policy with the foreigner and we’ll return the remaining amount you leave, to which I said India believes in 'Athithi Devo Bhav', he changes the topic quickly by saying you speak such nice Hindi and you look just like my daughter. I visited all the tourist places in and nearby Amritsar visited Gaons, that is what India says to villages. Such huge glass of milk I was not even able to finish the half, such lush green farms and the villagers made me stay for a night in their home, I was thinking I should have said the owner of the lodge that I am going to stay only 14 days.

 

I was hearing the news of COVID spreading around the globe, Donald Trump restricted the flights to the US coming from China, but that seems a distance noise to me in this Gaon. By 23 March I reached the city area and was packing my stuff for Delhi from where I have a flight to attain for Germany by 25.03.2020. At night I order Margereta cheese pasta, french fries, black forest cake, Makki di roti Sarson da saag, while seeing the photos of my journey I slept. The next morning was going to change my life and my ‘Heart’ towards India. As usual, my morning started by 10 Am, BTW let me tell you its 6.30 AM in Germany, I am going to face a lot of jet lags after I reach german. After my morning chore, I opened my laptop, and I was shocked to see “INDIA UNDER LOCKDOWN” as a news article headline. I was a bit curious and surprised to see the heading, when I opened the article it says, ‘as COVID-19 cases are increasing in INDIA, GOI has ordered a voluntary curfew of 14 hours on 22 March. As it was Sunday I do not bother that a much as my BUS from Amritsar to Delhi was on 24 March, so I thought things will sort out by Monday. But I turn out to be mistaken. It has been 26 March, I missed my bus, or I should say it was canceled as a nationwide lockdown was ordered for 21 days starting 24 March. I informed my mom about this, she was very concerned about the things were unfolding in India, to which I assure her nothing to worry about as India and Indian are such lovely. The next day the landlord was knocking my door, with a towel kind of stuff around his neck and partially covering his face, I said kya hua bhaiya (whats the matter mister), to which he angrily replied arre tusse cehre mai kuch bandhe nahi ho, hume bhe korona karoage kya (you are not wearing a mask, you will spread corona). I was a bit confused as I was unable to understand what he was trying to say, finally removing his mask he said, you have to leave immediately as I don’t want foreigner in my hotel, I was a bit puzzled. I asked the reason he said no why, police and ambulance are waiting for you in front of my hotel, please leave you are creating a problem for me. After he left I was still thinking about what he said, and in a while, two medical staff and a lady police officer came in and forced me to come with them. With just my purse I had to left, they took me straight to the hospital have undergone an RTPCR test and said you have to stay here for 1-2 weeks till your result comes for COVID-19. 

 

With just a top and jeans I was there in a room with 10 more foreigners, a Nurse, and a Ward boy who was always looking to me and smiling. I got up and have a talk with a gentleman beside my bed, and try to understand what's going on, to which he said we are suspect of COVID-19 and are not supposed to leave India, and we even cant as the international flights are cutoff. I was dumbstruck, I hurriedly ask the nurse to provide me a phone, she just left the room. A lady doctor came I tried to talk, but before that, she handed me a mask and a shirt to wear on, she said your belonging are safe with us and only after any confirmation we may provide you any. Things were getting troublesome as proper food was not provided and we were treated as the second individual, out of us 10 one was found to be COVID positive, and in three days he died, which shooked me from the inside and today I felt COVID is real and no joke. My report came up and it was negative, but I caught a cold and has to stay for 1 more week, it has been nearly 6 days over with my time limit to stay in India, this was the time I felt fear, emotionally weak, stuck in a foreign country with no one to understand me. I have lost my appetite and has lost 10 kg weight, by the end of 18 days I received my belonging, to my surprise I Was missing my cellphone, cash and my laptop, only my cloth, and my book was returned. I was not left with any strength and willpower to say anything about this, and I was on the verge to feel I might die in the hospital. My condition was not improving, hence I was sifted in ICU, thankfully a senior doc Mr. Ram Krishna somehow saved me as the problem turn out to be a bacterial infection which was causing such trouble to me. After a few doses of antibiotics and saline water, I was back to life. The lady police officer came along to ask my health, and how to contact my family. 

 

Finally, by 25.04.2020 I was sent to Germany by AIR INDIA flight, my ‘Heart’ went through a sea-saw in India and COVID showed me the truly vibrant and cheerful color of INDIA, which I might have not encountered normally. Before leaving the Amritsar, the lodge owner gave me my 4 days room rent and my laptop, and said sorry for his behavior on that day, and kept his hand over my head and said, puttar tuskhi bahut strong ho (my child you are very strong), in Delhi, I called Ravan and informed him I am leaving India and if you have any plan to visit Germany please mail or WhatsApp me.