We have achieved a lot of development, but have not realised that development was most urgently needed in the sectors of health, education and research. We are realising the dire need for an educated population and intelligent people. We are now being forced to think. This corona crisis will pass eventually. Life will begin anew, and then we will need to give serious thought to the problems that have been identified.
I have been very scared. It is such a disease, that it spreads just by shaking hands, sitting side by side! How will people fight this invisible foe? The lack of answers is alarming.
I am staying at home. Waiting. Waiting to wake up one corona-free morning. I can’t wait to wake up one day and hear corona is no more, that the Creator has freed us from this virus.
That good news hasn’t arrived as yet. I still haven’t been able raise my hopes. Vaccine tests have begun in Britain. But there’s nothing much outside of that.
In our country the number of corona cases are steadily increasing. I used to watch the news on television at the beginning, but I don’t anymore.
We are living in a lockdown. How much can we sing in this sort of life, how much can be watch television, how can we spend time with our children! How will the children be able to keep their spirits up? They will grow restless. There is school, there are studies. My daughter was supposed to take her A Level exams this time and was dully prepared for the exams in May. She is thoroughly disconcerted. No one knows when the exams will take place.
The government is paying attention to the garments sector and other sectors. It should look towards us too. The artistes always come forward during times of national calamity. Even now they are raising public awareness. The government must come forward for the artistes once this crisis is over.
I think no one but our Creator can save us from this situation. If Allah forgives us all, then the virus will go away. We have no other weapon to destroy it. We have no idea how to fight it.
Even after this corona period passes, it will take time for music, songs and entertainment to emerge. Other than a handful of artistes, most people of the music world will suffer. Many of the artists and musicians perhaps are not being able to speak out about their problems. But it is obvious that many of them are in trouble. We may live a life of glamour and glitz, but we spend whatever we earn. People don’t realise that. The artistes in our country aren’t millionaires. And if we are not earning, our funds will naturally dwindle.
The government is paying attention to the garments sector and other sectors. It should look towards us too. The artistes always come forward during times of national calamity. Even now they are raising public awareness. The government must come forward for the artistes once this crisis is over.
The seniors and leaders in the cultural arena must speak out. If a stimulus is given, it must be used properly. Those who in financial distress, must be helped to carry on for a few months. The government must increase its patronage for the artistes. The artistes are active even now at home, singing, mobilising public awareness. Many are helping those in distress, some secretly, come openly. They do so out of a sense of responsibility towards the country and the people.
At these critical times of the country and the world, everyone must be empathetic, patient. We must get through this together. Once this is over, no one should feel hesitant to teach their children to sing. We cannot let our culture slip away. We must be vigilant about upholding and cherishing our culture. ♦
