5daysinQuarantine

My name is Nidhi and I am 44 years old. This is my first- hand account of being quarantined for 5-days at #GalgotiaInstitute, situated in Greater Noida, currently a #COVID-19 facility run by the government.

I am happy that I was there for 5 days to witness what is actually happening on ground. It's one thing to hear and watch on the television, with TV channels parroting the government briefing and it’s another to actually experience it first- hand. I will start with the shockers. I say shockers because, in a country like India where we have repeatedly been disappointed, misled, duped and exploited by our governments, it comes as a huge shock when we see a government actually working 'For the People and By the people.'

 There were a few expected moments where one expects nothing better from a government run facility but what took the cake were the unexpected efforts that were actually made to cater to every need of the people. It would not be wrong to say that had the government not gone to lengths as it did a lot of people, specifically the migrant workers would have died on the roads and the poor would have been charged a bomb for tests that are otherwise being done for free by the government. Not to mention they would be running from pillar to post for getting these tests done in the first place.

Having said that, it is also true that execution at the ground level continues to remain a huge challenge. It simply dampens everything that the government is doing. Minor correctional measures infused with art of public dealing would be suffice and up the game for the government. If not, it will just ruin the good that the government has done this far.

So as I said, let’s start with what shocked me the most. Availability of all basic amenities was one. From masks to good quality water buckets to towels, bathing soaps, oil and shampoo sachets, branded detergent soaps to toothbrushes, toothpastes, mosquito repellants everything was made generously available to everyone. Linen: Can you imagine strain free linen at a government facility? We don’t even get that in trains like Rajdhani. I know because I travel a lot in this particular train. Anyways, there was clean linen! From beds to bed sheets, to pillows to pillow cases to mattresses all were available. Moreover, no one was cooped up in a room. Sufficient rooms were available for everyone with workable fans and lights. Food: Here I would like to stress at edible food. I could actually eat all the three meals they provided in a day and they didn’t smell or taste bad at all. Well I had to keep track of the hourly announcements about when the meals were being served but I was shocked to see that the meals were nicely packed and distributed. It was of course the usual dal, chawal, roti, sabzi, salad, pickle and tea and snacks in the evening. I thankfully did get tea in morning too, which was such a relief! There are three things in particular that I’d like to especially mention because, it reflects on the kind of detailed planning that the government did while providing for the people. Provision of basic amenities is one. Second is provision of water and milk. Water: Usually, we see filters and water coolers placed with plastic cups or people filling their bottles of water from the aforesaid facilities, but here bottles of packed water from branded companies were being generously provided to everyone. There was no shortage of them and given the summer heat, it was such a big relief not just because it was quenching your thirst but ensuring what you were drinking was clean water. Milk: I have to say this. Provision of milk was one of the biggest shockers. I did not expect it at all but it was being provided separately for the children, thrice a day. Honestly I was surprised that the government had actually thought about that in the first place. The third is provision of sanitary pads. I know this because I had my periods while in quarantine. As any woman, I was highly skeptical if they would have them at all, but beyond that I had expected to be greeted with an awkward smile or that sly look the moment I mentioned these three words to the male staff, “I need pads.” To my utter surprise, they actually sprung into immediate action the moment I uttered these three words and handed me two packets. Each packet consisting of six sanitary pads each. Although the packet read, “For government use only!” Hahahaha.. just trying to infuse humor here. I must admit that it was not the brand I used, but the quality was not bad. I can say this because I didn’t experience any rashes! Thank God for that. On a related matter, after sanitary pads came the immediate requirement for an underwear. While this particular item was not immediately available, I did get it after a male staff member asked a lady officer to have it purchased from the market. Well that’s a different story when this lady officer wanted to have her picture clicked with her ‘gifting’ me the underwear and I objected furiously to it. Over enthusiastic lady officer I guess.

So you might say, ‘Well Nidhi, good to know you were taken care of and it’s a relief that public money is not going down the toilet and is being put to actual use, although we still suspect since you don’t speak for the nation etc etc. And where are you actually going with all this?’ Well I am now getting to the part where I said that how poor execution just ruins everything good that the government is doing to helps us. And how some correctional measures infused with art of public dealing would help the government a great deal.

I begin with the expected. By this I mean, each time we talk about a government-run facility there are a few things that’s a given and it doesn’t come as a shock to any of us. In fact the expected keeps us away from utalising the services of these government-run facilities. In this particular case, it’s the authorities attitude or lack of it towards Cleanliness. Be it the hallways or the toilets, they were all very filthy. There was no cleaning staff, deployed to sweep or mop the floors as a result most people filled buckets of water and took a bath in the balconies attached to their rooms. As for defecation, I don’t know about others but I resisted it for 4 straight days but my will power gave in on the 5th day and I had to defecate in a bucket, in my room. It was horrible. But the good thing is I was applauding my survival instincts… So you see, every good deed literary goes down the drain when you have to take a dump in a bucket!

Second is Test reports. Either the government was withholding test reports of negative cases so as to quarantine them for a period of mandatory 14-days or the reports were not coming on time or as it was said in my case misplaced. I personally had to struggle and fight my way through so much so argue and fight with the staff to get my report that too after five days of testing negative twice!…

It so happened that on April 28, 2020, I was taken to Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Noida for COVID 19 test and was told that as a protocol, I will be taken to Galgotia Institute and quarantined for a minimum of 2-days until my results came. If I tested negative, I will be sent home and if I tested positive, I would be advised further treatment. After two days, when I enquired about my report, the medical staff first said that the doctor on duty will tell me at 10am. When the doctor on duty came, he informed that my report had not come yet and I should wait until 12pm. At 12pm, no report and yet again I was asked to wait until evening. By now I was beginning to get restless and my phone battery had about died down and I could not talk to my family members. I requested the medical staff to give the charger and they refused saying they will not share their personal charger. I had no way of talking to my family and I was panicking. In the evening, I was again told that the report will come in the next morning. As expected that didn’t happen and the medical staff kept sending me back saying they will let me know. By now I had lost patience and I argued ferociously with the staff, the police officials. Finally one doctor asked me to take the test again saying that could be the test result has been misplaced. I complied. And thankfully the next morning at 9am my test was negative. The doctors then told me at 11am they will discharge me. But as expected that didn’t happen and I had to wait until 12pm to be ferried in an ambulance back home.

Here I’d like to mention that some people had been in the facility since 10 days at a stretch and had not received their reports. Each time they asked for it, the officials said the reports are yet to come and they will be informed. Which never happened!

 As a citizen of this great country, I am mighty impressed with what the government is doing. The work of this magnitude has not happened that too with such meticulous planning. Prime Minister Narinder Modi took a tough decision for the nation and stuck to it. It takes strong will to announce and implement the biggest lockdown the world has ever seen. Being the first country to have done that proves the resolve that the government has and the faith the masses have in its leader.

Having said that, it’s also true that the government's efforts just bite dust when tasks are not executed the way they should be at the ground level and that takes away the WOW factor from it all and gives a chance to the Covidiots to belittle the efforts put in by the government and the Corona Warriors who ensure that we stay healthy; that our homes continue to receive uninterrupted electricity and water supply; that we have food in our plates and clean surroundings.

As I said minor correctional measures infused with art of public dealing would be suffice and up the game for India. 

5daysinQuarantine

My name is Nidhi and I am 44 years old. This is my first- hand account of being quarantined for 5-days at #GalgotiaInstitute, situated in Greater Noida, currently a #COVID-19 facility run by the government.

I am happy that I was there for 5 days to witness what is actually happening on ground. It's one thing to hear and watch on the television, with TV channels parroting the government briefing and it’s another to actually experience it first- hand. I will start with the shockers. I say shockers because, in a country like India where we have repeatedly been disappointed, misled, duped and exploited by our governments, it comes as a huge shock when we see a government actually working 'For the People and By the people.'

 There were a few expected moments where one expects nothing better from a government run facility but what took the cake were the unexpected efforts that were actually made to cater to every need of the people. It would not be wrong to say that had the government not gone to lengths as it did a lot of people, specifically the migrant workers would have died on the roads and the poor would have been charged a bomb for tests that are otherwise being done for free by the government. Not to mention they would be running from pillar to post for getting these tests done in the first place.

Having said that, it is also true that execution at the ground level continues to remain a huge challenge. It simply dampens everything that the government is doing. Minor correctional measures infused with art of public dealing would be suffice and up the game for the government. If not, it will just ruin the good that the government has done this far.

So as I said, let’s start with what shocked me the most. Availability of all basic amenities was one. From masks to good quality water buckets to towels, bathing soaps, oil and shampoo sachets, branded detergent soaps to toothbrushes, toothpastes, mosquito repellants everything was made generously available to everyone. Linen: Can you imagine strain free linen at a government facility? We don’t even get that in trains like Rajdhani. I know because I travel a lot in this particular train. Anyways, there was clean linen! From beds to bed sheets, to pillows to pillow cases to mattresses all were available. Moreover, no one was cooped up in a room. Sufficient rooms were available for everyone with workable fans and lights. Food: Here I would like to stress at edible food. I could actually eat all the three meals they provided in a day and they didn’t smell or taste bad at all. Well I had to keep track of the hourly announcements about when the meals were being served but I was shocked to see that the meals were nicely packed and distributed. It was of course the usual dal, chawal, roti, sabzi, salad, pickle and tea and snacks in the evening. I thankfully did get tea in morning too, which was such a relief! There are three things in particular that I’d like to especially mention because, it reflects on the kind of detailed planning that the government did while providing for the people. Provision of basic amenities is one. Second is provision of water and milk. Water: Usually, we see filters and water coolers placed with plastic cups or people filling their bottles of water from the aforesaid facilities, but here bottles of packed water from branded companies were being generously provided to everyone. There was no shortage of them and given the summer heat, it was such a big relief not just because it was quenching your thirst but ensuring what you were drinking was clean water. Milk: I have to say this. Provision of milk was one of the biggest shockers. I did not expect it at all but it was being provided separately for the children, thrice a day. Honestly I was surprised that the government had actually thought about that in the first place. The third is provision of sanitary pads. I know this because I had my periods while in quarantine. As any woman, I was highly skeptical if they would have them at all, but beyond that I had expected to be greeted with an awkward smile or that sly look the moment I mentioned these three words to the male staff, “I need pads.” To my utter surprise, they actually sprung into immediate action the moment I uttered these three words and handed me two packets. Each packet consisting of six sanitary pads each. Although the packet read, “For government use only!” Hahahaha.. just trying to infuse humor here. I must admit that it was not the brand I used, but the quality was not bad. I can say this because I didn’t experience any rashes! Thank God for that. On a related matter, after sanitary pads came the immediate requirement for an underwear. While this particular item was not immediately available, I did get it after a male staff member asked a lady officer to have it purchased from the market. Well that’s a different story when this lady officer wanted to have her picture clicked with her ‘gifting’ me the underwear and I objected furiously to it. Over enthusiastic lady officer I guess.

So you might say, ‘Well Nidhi, good to know you were taken care of and it’s a relief that public money is not going down the toilet and is being put to actual use, although we still suspect since you don’t speak for the nation etc etc. And where are you actually going with all this?’ Well I am now getting to the part where I said that how poor execution just ruins everything good that the government is doing to helps us. And how some correctional measures infused with art of public dealing would help the government a great deal.

I begin with the expected. By this I mean, each time we talk about a government-run facility there are a few things that’s a given and it doesn’t come as a shock to any of us. In fact the expected keeps us away from utalising the services of these government-run facilities. In this particular case, it’s the authorities attitude or lack of it towards Cleanliness. Be it the hallways or the toilets, they were all very filthy. There was no cleaning staff, deployed to sweep or mop the floors as a result most people filled buckets of water and took a bath in the balconies attached to their rooms. As for defecation, I don’t know about others but I resisted it for 4 straight days but my will power gave in on the 5th day and I had to defecate in a bucket, in my room. It was horrible. But the good thing is I was applauding my survival instincts… So you see, every good deed literary goes down the drain when you have to take a dump in a bucket!

Second is Test reports. Either the government was withholding test reports of negative cases so as to quarantine them for a period of mandatory 14-days or the reports were not coming on time or as it was said in my case misplaced. I personally had to struggle and fight my way through so much so argue and fight with the staff to get my report that too after five days of testing negative twice!…

It so happened that on April 28, 2020, I was taken to Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Noida for COVID 19 test and was told that as a protocol, I will be taken to Galgotia Institute and quarantined for a minimum of 2-days until my results came. If I tested negative, I will be sent home and if I tested positive, I would be advised further treatment. After two days, when I enquired about my report, the medical staff first said that the doctor on duty will tell me at 10am. When the doctor on duty came, he informed that my report had not come yet and I should wait until 12pm. At 12pm, no report and yet again I was asked to wait until evening. By now I was beginning to get restless and my phone battery had about died down and I could not talk to my family members. I requested the medical staff to give the charger and they refused saying they will not share their personal charger. I had no way of talking to my family and I was panicking. In the evening, I was again told that the report will come in the next morning. As expected that didn’t happen and the medical staff kept sending me back saying they will let me know. By now I had lost patience and I argued ferociously with the staff, the police officials. Finally one doctor asked me to take the test again saying that could be the test result has been misplaced. I complied. And thankfully the next morning at 9am my test was negative. The doctors then told me at 11am they will discharge me. But as expected that didn’t happen and I had to wait until 12pm to be ferried in an ambulance back home.

Here I’d like to mention that some people had been in the facility since 10 days at a stretch and had not received their reports. Each time they asked for it, the officials said the reports are yet to come and they will be informed. Which never happened!

 As a citizen of this great country, I am mighty impressed with what the government is doing. The work of this magnitude has not happened that too with such meticulous planning. Prime Minister Narinder Modi took a tough decision for the nation and stuck to it. It takes strong will to announce and implement the biggest lockdown the world has ever seen. Being the first country to have done that proves the resolve that the government has and the faith the masses have in its leader.

Having said that, it’s also true that the government's efforts just bite dust when tasks are not executed the way they should be at the ground level and that takes away the WOW factor from it all and gives a chance to the Covidiots to belittle the efforts put in by the government and the Corona Warriors who ensure that we stay healthy; that our homes continue to receive uninterrupted electricity and water supply; that we have food in our plates and clean surroundings.

As I said minor correctional measures infused with art of public dealing would be suffice and up the game for India. 

Still Searching!

I am a little confused as to how to put it, ‘a sour relationship going sweet’ or ‘a sweet relationship going sour’ yet wondering again if at all there is a relationship?
I see my reflection in his misery, I feel his pain like mine, perhaps our experiences with love have been the same, we both loved and lost. But where I have, time and again managed to pick up pieces of my life and heart and walked on, he is still standing where he was, struggling in pain and desperately wanting to be relieved from it yet hesitant or too proud to ask for it.
Perhaps a paradox of sorts but how do I explain it to him that what is life without pain and what is the fun of living it when you cannot walk with pride each time you stumble. Why accept defeat and turn cold when you have innumerable opportunities of succeeding yet another time? Why protect yourself from the unknown and the unseen when you can marvel something that is just before you? Why reject compassion and friendships just for false pride where in you are craving for it deep down? How do I tell that a tear wasted for the undeserving is like wasting your worth to muck? Is all this worth it?
I am still not sure what I am saying but I see a man before me who behind his cold camouflage is weak, venerable and alone. Perhaps very insecure and unsure of himself, wanting to reach out to the bright light but hesitant of being burnt and rejected once again.
If only I could tell him, “come here my friend and rest your soul in my arms, I assure you that you will sleep in peace. It is my promise to you that when you wake up, it will be a brighter tomorrow and despite the challenges that will come your way you will emerge stronger and more compassionate. Throw your mask and face the world because no one has the capacity to hurt you anymore!”
Dear diary, I know these words might never reach him as I do not have the courage to tell him but I am a bit relieved that you listen to me patiently. Thank you!
I will not say good-bye because I know I will come again and this time I hope I have the answers to a few of my questions.
“My journey with you began with grief, I was at crossroads when you came along
We moved along, sometimes separately, only to come back and walk together
Today when I look back I realise how little I knew of you only to swell with pride that you chose me as your confidant.
My dear friend, I cry for you and love you with all my heart, come surrender your soul in me.”

Shelter Thy Soul

Lay your sorrows on my hand,
And gift me troubles that tie you down.
Hand me the miseries that haunt your mind,
Come surrender your soul into me.

Let me hold those trembling hands,
And lock your sorrows in my soulful eyes.
Let me walk you into the world,
That you've battled all your life.

Close your eyes and hold my hand,
We'll walk together through the roughest patch.
I'll cherish your love and comfort your heart,
Come shelter your soul into me.
Nidhi Soni

Of Talents and Humans!

I sometimes wonder how would it be if human never had the capacity to feel. I know its not a unique question that has popped up and there are many more like me who would have though the same thing at one point in time but come to think of it seriously how does it feel to completely be numb. I guess most of the problems currently bothering mankind would be over. The capacity to hate, love would be alien and greed and trauma could might as well history. I see a pup wining and my heart goes all for the animal, but despite that I do nothing, my heart breaks and I slump into depression. I hate being morose, gloomy or roam like a ghost but since I am human, damn human I cannot help it and despite best efforts, I fail to overpower these pitiful emotions. Most of you might just say "Get Over It Woman, What A Waste" but ya when was the last time anyone of you shrugged it off with a snap of your finger. At this point in time I would like to go numb, for one because I feel let down by friends and most importantly, I am guilty. Yes guilt is what's actually killing me. I have a unique talent. Its ruining things for myself with my own beautiful hands. I would like to think that I am numb as I write this coz things would appear for some strange more logical. Honestly speaking, I have not been very kind, appreciative, humane to lets say Mr Sweetheart. I am still numb. I should have been coz I wud like to believe that I am a nice person, ... Remember I am still numb...... but as I said my talent came in the way... and as always ended up ruining everything.... I know Mr Sweetheart did not deserve it but how could my talent now come into use... and now that allz lost all I do is roam like a ghost and write this ultra depressive blog.... Yes I am still numb. So I was just wondering if I didn't have the capacity to feel, none would have bothered and I cud be free from the clutches of these worldly nuances. Mr Sweetheart would not have existed for me and my friends would just be mere human bodies..... Ya may be I have gone insane but I am human after all.... Shucks! There I go. Human! Gawd, here I am giving yet another excuse for being so talented and at the same time being so apologetic about it.
If anyone is reading it plz don't bother your self, one bit coz this is a fragment of my crazy being... If you understand what that means.....

Only If!!!!!

It was not until now that realisation dawned and I saw myself walking a familiar path. My heart skipped a beat each time I felt your aura around me and even more when your tiny eyes smiled at me. I wanted to bend forward and capture your face but my eyes blushed. It was not until now I realised that I am indeed walking a very familiar path…

A path I thought was long forgotten. I wanted to return but my heart gave in. It wanted to walk beside yours but there was no room. Although, I still walk this very familiar path, but this time, without you. Only if you could hold me and lead me to a brighter world. Only if I could undo the past, only if I could stop you, ask you to stay.......... Only if I could muster the courage to look into your eyes and tell you ......... Now You mean the world to me!

Only if we had not met to part like strangers, only if you could listen to my unspoken words, wipe my tears. Only if your absence wouldn't hurt that much…. I stand here helpless, unable to rewind the time to our happier moments. Even more helpless as I cannot hold your hand or rest my head on your shoulders…. Only if I had not walked that familiar path, only if this had not ended with such bitterness………… Only if!

I DARE TO ENTER THE BLOGGERS WORLD

I used to wonder how can anything replace your personal diary for it's not just your personal thoughts that are poured into those pages but also contains your deep, dark secrets? Why would people be willing to know what you think and how you percive things, unless you are a social A-lister. But the blogging culture has actually taken me by surprise and now I realise that its OK if people do have an access to your personal side and it's fine if they wish to comment on it. May be it's a refined way of telling you that "You are not the only one with these perceptions, we are there too". Guess this gives me some kind of solace that my undefined world has takes, contrary to what I though initially.
I would like to thank my colleague, Priyanka actually for motivating me enough to revive my blog... Thanks a ton babes.... and now that I have, I wish to be more visible on the blogging scene... Your comments and contributions are most welcome.. although, I am not quite sure how well will they be received...