Our Family's Fight against COVID

A little background about my family.

I work in the IT sector and have recently switched jobs in April'21

My wife works for the Delhi government she is a Nurse and has been doing duty in COVID (Ward, Vaccination, etc) since it all began. 

Our families are settled in Delhi since the 1980s and our hometown is in Himachal Pradesh. 

On April 25th, 2021 there was a wedding in our relations on my mother's side. Since there was a family function happening there after many years my mother wanted to attend it. We had planned to avoid going to HP and skip the wedding. But on the 24th morning, we decided otherwise and left for HP.

I took the car picked up my wife from work and went for it, we reached our Kangra (HP) at 11PM.

Now before you judge me that why did I risk exposure at that time. As per my thought process, my plan was simple, given the rapidly increasing cases in Delhi, I and my wife decided to leave our parents in HP along with our 1.5-year-old son, as there was not much impact there.  If you have a kid you should know how hard this decision is. 

25th April'21

We attended the wedding. (50 people allowed in that wedding)

26th April'21

I and my wife left for Delhi and got busy with our jobs

28th April '21

My parents informed me that they are not feeling well and had a fever. 

We thought it might be because of the weather as it was too hot in Delhi and cold in HP so it was perceived as a seasonal fever by us.

29th April'21 

I decided to go to HP to take them to the doctor but my father informed me that they are feeling better.

I thanked god and dropped the plan.

30th April'21 - 1st May'21

They got a fever again and my mother was feeling weak and coughing, but there was no issue with breathing.

2nd May'21 

My Jija ji who was in HP took my mom and dad to a local doctor who took some blood samples and gave medicine, He predicted that it might be COVID but since many were recovering on their own so she will be better after taking medicine. Her SPO2 at that time was 85.

After getting this information me and my wife left for HP, reached night. 

(Punjab police stopped me in Kharar for putting sun shade in the window, I paid 500rs)

3rd May'21

We had brought Oximeter with us, In the morning I checked and it showed 50, I was shocked and scared, I immediately started arranging for Ambulance, but after having breakfast it went up to 80 again. 

I and my wife had to go for testing as we had arrived from Delhi, so we went and gave our samples came back home, and found that mother's SPO2 is in the 50s again.

We went straight to Citi Hospital in Kangra, Doctor checked it was 80 and recommended admission but they couldn't admit her as per government rule that all COVID cases should be referred by a Government hospital. 

We went to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Tanda, Kangra, There was a long queue for testing we requested people that my mother's oxygen level is dropping but no one helped (Hospital also did nothing) I stood in line after 1 hour they took her sample, and the report came negative.

We were confused about what to do now, her oxygen level is dropping and the report is negative, No private hospital would take her in.

We again went to that local doctor who had given us medicine earlier, at that time her SPO2 came to 92, and I wasn't sure what was happening, I took out my own Oximeter to confirm and the reading was the same.

We came home.

4th May'21 

My mother was coughing all night at intervals, and she was very weak even to using the restroom.

SPO2 was between 45-50

We took her to emergency in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Tanda, Kangra, Now listen to what they said "We don't have a bed and oxygen, please take her to a private hospital"

I told them no private hospital would take her as her report is negative, so give me something in writing, or refer her to another hospital. But they did nothing, nothing at all.

I called Citi Hospital, and they said we don't have any beds, I called Fortis Kangra same answer.

I went to Shri Balaji Hospital Kangra, and they advised CT Scan, Her report came with a CT Severity score of 21/25, They said it is 100% COVID but we cannot write it on paper and we can't admit her, I requested them for a bed they said they don't have any.  They asked me to return to Tanda hospital, I told them I am just coming from there and they don't have any beds either. But this didn't change anything. 

There I was in that Hospital looking at my wife who was holding my mother, helpless, didn't know what to do, or where to take my mother, I tried everything, but Money did not help either.  

(Please note:  Money cannot buy everything, this is my first-hand experience) 

It was around 7 PM, and one of my cousins called and said there is another hospital in Dharamshala (Zonal Hospital), go there they will take her in. Without wasting any time I reached there at 8:30 PM.

I told them everything, and they did a RAPID test it came positive, and they admitted her immediately. I remember my wife took my mother to the ward I stood outside crying seeing her go, as we knew the chances were meager and this might be the last time I am seeing her alive. 

I and my wife slept in the car, it was raining all night. I had a cigarette around 11 PM.

In the morning we left for home, I dropped my wife home, took some supplies, and went to the hospital.

They don't let anyone meet the patient, but you can send things like food, juice, etc. 

5th May - 16th May'21

I stayed in the car, slept, and ate in the car, hotels needed a negative report.

Also, my test results came on 9th May.

Me: Positive

My Wife: Negative

My Sister: Positive

My Brother in law: Positive

During my stay at the hospital, I met a few people who were living in their cars like me, Rajinder (for his father) Vivek Thakur (for his mother) both settled in Chandigarh. 

Hotel etc was not an option, These two people became my friends there and we used to spend time attending to our patient's supply needs, having lunch/dinner in the canteen, etc

Rajinder and Vivek Thakur knew that I am positive but they supported me at all times. 

Their parents also returned home after treatment. We are still in touch. 

My mother came home after 15 days of treatment, but still, it would take her 2 months to fully recover, In all this, I lost my Mausi (elder sister of my mother) she was sick at the same time my mom was, but we weren't informed otherwise maybe there was a slight chance of her being alive as well.  I am now the Legal guardian of her only daughter(disabled), and she stays with us. 

I am grateful to my work organization to support me throughout all this, I even got calls from the central office if I need help with anything at all, and I never had to worry about work for a single minute. 

During all the time I spent at the hospital, nobody came to visit, well that's very unlikely in the case of Covid but still, if any of my relatives would have come to meet me or check on if things are okay, I would have been in debt to that person my whole life. But nobody came, a lot of phone calls but nobody in person, maybe they were being cautious, but I will remember this, it taught me that "You walk alone" 

I thank everyone who prayed for the recovery of my mother. 

Believe in God, Do the right thing, and you're golden. 

Vivek Choudhary

The Curse of Parashurama

One afternoon Parashurama was somewhat tired. He rested with his head in Karna's lap. He fell asleep.

At that time a bee flew in from somewhere. Flying hither and thither it settled on Karna's thigh. Within a few minutes it began to bore Karna's thigh. Karna could not attempt to drive it away. Even a slight movement of his thigh would disturb his master. So inspire of the increasing pain Karna sat still. He thought that his suffering did not matter if the teacher's sleep was not to be disturbed. The bee continued to bore Karna's thigh. Blood began to ooze from the thigh. The blood touched Parashurama's cheek. He woke up. He was taken aback and said:

"What is this, child? Where did so much blood come from?"
Karna explained what had happened.
Asked Parashurama: "Did you put up with so much pain without a murmur?"
"The pain did not seem unbear able to me."
Parashurama was surprised. He looked at Karna from head to foot. He had all along assumed that Karna was a Brahmin boy. But a soft-bodied Brahmin could not have endured so much pain. Karna was not a Brahmin. Parashurama suspected strongly that Karna was a Kshatriyas. Angrily he spoke to Karna in a harsh voice:
"You, Karna I"
"Yes, master?"
"Tell me the truth, who are you? Have you not hidden something from me?"
"What have I hidden, I do not "Are you a Brahmin boy? Tell me, tell me the truth."

Karna did not reply. He stood silent, with his head bowed. He had assumed that he was really the son of Adhiratha who brought him up, Adhiratha was a charioteer. He  Karna, was a charioteer's son; neither a Brahmin nor a Kshatriyas. What answer could he give to his teacher? He was Miserable and filled with fear. Karna's silence convinced Parashurama that his suspicion was confirmed. Karna's modesty, courage, reverences for the teacher and love of learning- he forgot all in his wrath. "You, boy! Have you not deceived your teacher and received training? I have taught you the use of mighty weapons; but when you most need this knowledge may you forget it all!" So Parashurama cruelly cursed Karna.
Karna felt as if the ground on which he stood gave way. He had hurt his teacher's feelings. Besides he had acquired the curse by which he would forget all he had learnt, when he needed it next, he left Parashurama's hermitage.


Karna's life is nothing but struggle

No Country For This Art

It has been more than a year since I wrote, I lost touch and haven't been able to write or maybe I just couldn't find time for it. Between texts and emails, I forgot about this blog. But I am back as I had an experience which I want to share with all of you.

On 7th Nov'19 I visited my sister along with my wife and my mother, she lives in Saket. So we went out with intentions to go to the mall for the movie but on our way, I saw a gate that said "Asiad Circus" and show times were also mentioned. It was 15 minutes before the next show so I convinced everyone to watch the circus instead of the movies.

When we went in, I was surprised to see only 20-something people in the entire facility. The number of guys selling coke, eateries, and staff who manage props in real-time was more than us. 

Every time a performer came he/she waived but no one waived back to them, they did a brilliant job but people did not clap (I clapped many times) I could feel what a person might think performing in a large arena with a handful number of people that too were not participating, It was awkward for me at many instances. At one point in a performance, a Dog was supposed to pick up the number with input from the audience, they asked many times to give them a number but no one did, even I did not(Don't know why). The guy selling popcorn yelled "5" the dog picked number 5. 

Talking about performances, they were brilliant, risky, and courageous. But it's a shame that a person who puts in this kind of hard work is not getting any audience/encouragement. 

I don't remember all performances as I had not planned to write a blog on this, nor did I capture pics of all acts but to summarize, it began with a good trapeze performance, and it also had that classic midget pants-pulling trick in the air. They all jumped in the net at the end, great landing by all. Then came the juggler who was also good, Russian artists presented a few acts that were different and you can say innovative, they were also encouraging people to engage with the performance via clapping. Few really good cycle tricks. The man with fire tricks, a man with water tricks, a girl with the ball in a basket, and a girl dancing with hula hoops. Dogs and Birds show. 3 bikes in a sphere. There are many more I need help remembering, attaching pics for your reference.

In the end, you must go and see such shows once in a while, not out of pity but out of respect for the talent these people have. Hats Off, 

Regards

Vivek Choudhary

What is Kalyug

Below is a story told by Lord Krishna to Pandavas.
And it is pretty much true, All predictions mentioned in the story have come true.

Once the four Pandavas (except Yudhishthira who was not present) asked Krishna, What is Kali Yuga?

Krishna smiled and said, "Let me demonstrate to you, the situation of Kaliyuga." He took a bow and four arrows and shot them in four directions and ordered the four Pandavas to go and bring them back.

Each of the four Pandavas went in four different directions to search for the arrows.

When Arjuna picked an arrow, he heard a very sweet voice. He turned around and saw a cuckoo singing in a spellbinding voice but was also eating the flesh of a live rabbit who was in great pain. Arjuna was very surprised to see such a gory act by such a divine bird he left the place immediately.

Bhima picked an arrow from a place, where five wells were situated. The four wells were surrounding a single well. The four wells were overflowing with very sweet water as if they were not able to hold water and surprisingly the well in the middle of these four overflowing wells was completely empty. Bhima was also puzzled at this sight.

Nakula was returning to the place after picking up the arrow. He stopped at a place where a cow was about to give birth. After giving birth the cow started licking the calf but continued to lick it even after the calf was clean. With great difficulty people were able to separate them and by that time the calf was injured badly. Nakula was puzzled by the behavior of such a calm animal.

Sahadeva picked an arrow that fell near a mountain and saw a big boulder falling. The boulder was crushing the rocks and big trees on its way down, but the same boulder was stopped by a small plant. Sahadeva was also amazed at this sight.

All the Pandavas asked about the meaning of these incidents. Krishna smiled and started explaining...

"In Kaliyuga, the priests will have a very sweet voice and will also have great knowledge but they will exploit devotees the same way cuckoo was doing with rabbit.

In Kaliyuga poor will live among the rich, and those rich will have an enormous amount of wealth that will actually overflow but they will not offer a single penny to the poor same as the four wells didn't have a single drop of water for the empty well.

In Kaliyuga parents will love their children so much that their love will actually spoil them and will destroy their lives similar to the love shown by the cow to her newborn calf.

In Kaliyuga people will fall in terms of character like the boulder from the mountain and they will not be stopped by anyone at the end only the name of God will be able to hold them from doom like the little plant held the boulder from further fall."

~ Uddhava Gita, Srimad Bhaagawatam.

When the Traffic police stopped me again

I am a guy who follows rules, and I like things organized, Imagine if all stopped following rules, there will be chaos everywhere.

So I was going home from work around 4:30 PM today (18 Jan'18) and this traffic policeman waved at me to stop. It was near the Delhi Gurgaon toll near Ambiance Mall. I was surprised and looked back if there is any other vehicle he might be waving at, but there was no other vehicle (I take the service lane to exit the highway)  So I pointed a finger at myself to confirm if he is intending to stop me, he nodded so I stopped. I was initially thinking he stopped me because my helmet strap wasn't tied. But he told me that he stopped me because my number plates are not HSRP (High-security registration plates). I told him I didn't know it was mandatory (I knew).

He then starts checking all my papers, I got my license, and I showed him images of other documents on my phone, he then asked for PUC (Pollution under control)  I did not have this document.

So he said No HSRP plates fine = 600, No PUC fine = 1000
Total fine = 1600 INR

I was taken aback by this amount, I thought it should be 500 max I will pay and bounce.
But luckily I did not have any cash on me, I told him to swipe his card, and he said we aren't that digital yet.
He gave me an option, he would keep my license and I will go get cash from ATM.

So I went to the Kapashera border, got cash from ATM, and decided to get PUC also, so I headed towards Petrol Pump, while getting PUC I saw a policeman sitting there and I asked him about the number plates and fine on them. He told me it was just 100 rs, I opened google and found out it's true. Even a four-wheeler gets a 300 rs fine whereas that traffic policeman was demanding 600.

So I got cash and PUC, I went to the highway, and showed him PUC (there goes the 1000rs fine out the window) and handed him 100 rs and said, I know the fine is just 100 rs. He laughed and then asked me where I work. I told him and then he asked me whether I could help him get a discount on a laptop.

Long story short, if I had the cash I would be out 1600 rs, instead, I just paid 100 rs
Piece of advice, get PUC as everyone knows that mostly no one has it.

Here is a link for traffic fines for reference.
https://delhitrafficpolice.nic.in/public-interface/traffic-offence/

Vivek Choudhary

Click for sending tips 

Chaos is a ladder

Yes, you are right, I am using Baelish's line from Game of Thrones, but the article has nothing related to the show.

There are times when our life goes very smoothly with no problems at all. This period may go on for days, or months, and if you are lucky then it can last for years also. I wish everyone has years of smooth life without any big hustle to go through.

It affects your life but this is the time when you can improve and become a different person altogether instead of surrendering we need to stand up and take charge. This little Chaos will come every now and then, especially from the time we reach our mid-twenties till the time we retire. I previously wrote about uncertainty, It’s almost the same thing. We need to prepare ourselves so that when the time comes in which we have to deal with a situation we are not used to, our hands won’t shake, we don’t panic, and we maintain a peaceful and sensible approach towards the problem. I am not saying don’t be happy in good times, but just hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Life has a tendency to catch us off guard, we should know how to maintain balance.

I call it chaos as during the time we have to deal with a certain inevitable issue, our entire plan gets disrupted. Plans might be big or of high importance to us, and it feels bad if we have to postpone or cancel them. It causes stress and we can end up making rash decisions. On the other hand, if we are mentally prepared then we can deal with it like all our other problems.

Vivek Choudhary

The Whatsapp DP drama

He sent a good morning message to his friend/girlfriend.

*a few hours later*

He checks his WhatsApp and puts a sad WhatsApp profile pic and status because he didn’t get any reply yet.

He asks his familiar friend to message her just to confirm if she is ignoring him or not.

*After a few more hours*

He feels bad and removes his WhatsApp profile pic.

Finally, he got a reply from her. He feels happy and he puts his smiling profile pic again.

---

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. I think it’s complete stupidity to remove dp and status.

That’s the story of almost every Indian youth out there. Whenever they feel sad they just remove their WhatsApp profile pic as they think it’s an easy way to get sympathy and Attention.

They think that if they remove their Dp and Status, people will start asking them, Why? When? Who? How? (Which actually happens in most cases).

I want to give one piece of advice to all the youngsters out there.

No one actually cares

If you have a WhatsApp DP or not

No one actually cares if you are happy or not

Care for yourself

The moment you start sympathizing with yourself, you become meek at that moment.

Never ever disclose your weakness and the times when you were down. I am attaching a beautiful answer at the end. I hope it will help all the broken heart people out there.

P.S I haven’t changed my DP or status since 2014, because it doesn’t matter to me, I see WhatsApp as an application I use, not a reflection of my life ;)

Vivek Choudhary