Life has become pathetically difficult for human race because of the pandemic due to COVID-19. It is said that we humans are the virus and corona is actually the vaccine for mother earth. Apparently, when we see the kind of world we were trying to build, it clearly indicates that in reality, corona is a vaccine for human race, albeit a deadly one. We should really think with lots of seriousness, what are the lessons from COVID-19.

One of the 1st and biggest lesson is that the government across the world should have philosophy of caring and sharing for all scientific acumen, if it is capable of life saving of human being in a pandemic situation. Sovereign authorities should think beyond their boundaries during such crisis because the world of 21st century has completely globalized and there is so much inter dependence. One simple decision of one country by stopping of their international flights in the very beginning of COVID-19 pandemic could have saved so many lives worldwide. It is because of ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudeva kutumbaha (world is one family), India supplied hydro chloroquine to all countries of the world whoever required it. Similarly, the kind of cooperation shown by doctors worldwide in the use of medicine called Remdesvir, shows through sharing, world can be a much better place to live in. In the making of vaccine for covid-19 too, the world leaders have shown solidarity which shall be remembered by coming generations.

The second lesson from COVID-19 is, we should stop mindless exploitation of mother earth. It is a known fact that the planet earth has a symbiotic relation with its inhabitants. What we call biodiversity, food chain etc. are nothing but a relationship with all creatures in this earth. Planet earth is unique for us because of this symbiotic equilibrium, life is present only in earth and not in other planets. In the name of development, we are exploiting nature left, right, middle and thus global warming, pollution, extinction of animals/plants, forest fire etc. have become a regular feature. COVID-19 has taught us that we should not exploit the mother earth at the cost of our own existence. The lockdown has immensely proved that human race is making this earth unliveable. One can see the effects of lockdown, clean air, animals in the close vicinity of mankind, no dust on the plants etc.etc.

The third lesson from COVID-19 is our health. In the pretext of having a grandeur life style, we have compromised our health which should be most precious because, if you will not survive all money, lifestyle, big ideas have no value. The COVID-19 has taught us that if you are healthy and your immunity is robust, you cannot easily become prey to the most contagious coronavirus on the earth. And even if, you get COVID-19 positive, the robust body will fight against the deadly virus. It is because of the immunity of we Indian, the recovery rate is almost 50%. Therefore, the need is to give all attention to our health and try to live a disease-free life. There are many authorities on the subject, who prove through their research data that through yoga, exercise, food habits and meditation, you can have a healthy disease-free life.

The fourth lesson, though related to the third one, but it needs separate attention is what actually you want in this life. Everybody is working for a decent, healthy life, happy family, adequate money and capacity to have all basic needs of life. But in reality, what we are doing, we are keeping ourselves unhealthy, we are eating undesired foods, drinking alcohol mindlessly, domestic violence against family, divorce, rape, riots and what not. Though our basic (rather more than basic) needs are being taken care of by a decent job, but we are after money in real time. Due to this, rich are becoming richer and poor are becoming poorer, which have divided the world in so many groups – rich-poor, white-black, have-havenots etc. It is said that in life what you need – a clean place to stay, a clean toilet, a happy family/soulmate, limited money and few friends. However, in reality we are gathering everything in quantity as if we will go on our last journey with lots of baggages.

The fifth lesson from COVID-19 is the importance of human relationship. The way migrants have suffered in the pandemic is very painful. As a human being, we could have been a little empathetic towards our neighbors and we could have avoided this pain of a lifetime. One IPS officer in Bengaluru has shown the world what is human relationship and how we should handle our own people in the time of unprecedented crisis. In a society we should be always sympathetic towards our real time service providers- workers, maids, security guards, drivers, milkman, paperwala etc. The kind of response few human beings have given to doctors and nurses in some places in the beginning of the pandemic, has also shown us that we are not bother about even towards medical fraternity as if we can survive in isolation without their help. COVID-19 has taught us, as a nation, we should be mindful of our surroundings. If the people shall take care of those who are in needs, we could fight against anything. The untiring devotion shown by medical fraternity is part of this human relationship. The doctors treat us because they have a responsibility towards the society. The Police has shown commendable empathy and they are saving us at the cost of their own health. Otherwise, if doctors/police would not have been there, we know what would have been the situation due to COVID-19. Sadly, in the process worldwide we have lost many doctors, nurses, policemen, corporation officials as well as housekeeping staff. May God give strength to their family.

The sixth lesson from COVID-19 is importance of having a hobby. The sudden lockdown has shown that those who were completely bogged down in their daily chores without any hobby, had very tough time during lockdown and they become depressed which is a real threat in a pandemic situation. It is said your hobby is your meditation and life saver. Worldwide through various research, it has been proved that music is having medicinal capacity. Various kind of music are being used to beat the patients of dementia, Alzheimer, cancer, Parkinsons, depression, anxiety etc. Indian ragas (bhairavi, yemen, kedar, malkaus, etc.) are having curable capacity from many diseases. Book reading, painting, singing, cooking etc. are hobbies which will save you from any kind of situation. One should pursue at least one hobby with lots of passion to make life meaningful and enjoyable.

To conclude, we should take lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and live life in such a way that it is not only enjoyable but there should not be having ill feelings against anyone. Exploitation of mother earth should not be compromised at any cost.

Healthy life style with minimalist theory of Zen philosophy is the need of the hour. Corona virus has given a lesson to reassess ourselves what kind of world we want. Obviously, we want a world where all live peacefully in most healthy way respecting needs of all human beings without exploitation of mother earth and most importantly the scientific tenor of world must be sharing and caring beyond boundaries.