Tag: #isolation

Isolation or ‘I Have Solution’

In order to prevent the infection of corona and prevent it to a certain level, all the countrymen are following the lock-down nowadays. Due to this type of lock-down, we are imprisoned in homes. All external activities have stopped in a way. This contrasting situation has affected our psychological aspect the most. If you talk to your neighbours, friends and distant relatives, you will find that they are all going through the same mental state – fear of boredom and survival.

When I say boredom, it simply means that we have nothing new to do. This is because we are not at home of our own free will, we have to stay for a long time without any plan and only when we have nothing new, we call our mood boredom in psychological language. 

Let us understand the psychological reasons behind this. Most of us are accustomed to live life in a certain pattern. For example our daily behaviour, our jobs, our social responsibilities, shopping time and walking etc. In this way, our daily behaviour becomes the product of our fixed life pattern and whenever this pattern changes against our will, it has a direct effect on our behaviour and this is exactly the situation that we are facing right now. The second important thing is the possibility of a crisis in our existence at present. Today this apprehension has made a large population stressed. In this context, I would like to say that it seems that this virus has reached very close to our brain and the most contribution to this is the exaggerated news and analysis that we are seeing or hearing all the days and our mood accordingly is being made. We are forgetting why we are taking stress even when we are taking all precautions and are healthy. This is because we are creating this tension ourselves. 

In this context, I recall a story by the Russian writer ‘Anton Chekhov’ – ‘The Bet’. The story is based on the condition of a lawyer and a banker. As the story opens, a banker misses the opportunity for a bet he made fifteen years ago. At the party they were hosting that day, all the guests got involved in the discussion of capital punishment. The banker saw it as more humane than life imprisonment, while a young lawyer disagreed, stating that he would choose life in prison rather than death. They agreed to a condition. If the lawyer can spend fifteen years in total isolation, the banker will pay him two million rubles. The lawyer has no direct contact with any other person, but he could communicate with the outside world and note down whatever he wishes.

Confined in a guest room on the banker’s property, the lawyer first experiences loneliness and depression but eventually begins to read and study in a wide range of subjects. As he takes advantage of the solitude to be educated and amuses himself in various ways over the years, the banker’s fortunes begin to wane. He realizes that if he loses, paying by stakes will go bankrupt. In the early hours of the day when the fifteen-year period is about to expire, the banker resolves to kill the lawyer, and one night goes to kill him but a note written by the lawyer on the table shows that he has chosen to relinquish the condition, knowing that material things are transitory and have the value of divine salvation more than money. The watchman then reports that the lawyer has gone out from the window and escaped with the property at stake. To prevent the spread of rumours, the banker locked the note in his vault. 

Just today, this story can become an inspiration for us. First of all, for this time period, you need to move away from your fixed life pattern and make new work plans, such as spending personal time with parents and children. This will be a great experience for you. You can engage yourselves creatively by creating new projects for children. Every new task will fill you with a new kind of energy and yes, above all, it is time to make a harmony with nature, because at this time due to lack of human activities, nature is in its purest form, so the open air in the morning of your courtyard Go, see the beauty of the flowers of the garden. There was no time before in your fixed life pattern for this. Then your existence will never put you in crisis, but you will feel connected with your presence.

Stay Home, Stay Safe …..

The birth of ROMO

Till the time when everything was ‘normal’, there existed a phenomenon that was quite common and that which caused stress. Termed as ‘FOMO’, and acronym for ‘Fear of Missing Out’ which describes a perception that others are having a better life, experiencing better things and are having much more fun and you are leading just a regular life. This phenomenon has existed for many years, but with the advent and excessive use of social media, this phenomenon has gained too much importance. FOMO usually occurs when a bunch of your ‘social media’ friends post some photos of some event without you (usually displaying the positive aspect while hiding the negative aspect), you tend to measure your life on their scale and you consider your life to be very ‘normal’. You feel like you are missing out on all the fun. Over the years, FOMO has manifested itself due to ‘posts’ on Facebook and Instagram.

But wait, times have changed. COVID-19 has practically faded the phenomenon ‘FOMO’ which concurrently gave birth to ‘ROMO’, an acronym of ‘Reality of Missing Out.’ Not only this pandemic has paralysed the world, it has also erased the feelings of missing out on fun considering the fact that everyone is locked indoors. With ROMO, you know that it is not cool to go outdoors and have fun with friends while breaking the rules of isolation.

ROMO gives a feeling of despair while losing out to go on to even the simplest of things. Like going out for dinner to a nearby restaurant, missing out for an ice-cream treat at park, going out for grocery shopping or even simply just going out for a stroll. The usual feeling of ‘getting bored’ is now substituted by different conflicting feelings such as – ‘Will I die?’, ‘Will my parents be alive?’, ‘Will I ever be able to go out for a nice dinner?’, ‘Will I be able to enjoy life as before?’. Apparently, such questions keep on running across my or anyone’s mind.

Isolation and quarantine has practically crippled the entire world. Everything around us seems to be on hold – like we are waiting for some kind of a miracle to lift the veil of such darkness. Events like religious festivals, sports tournaments, summer parades at my school, convocation at my B-School, to name among a few, got cancelled. It is very heart wrenching to see that life is just pacing forward and we are actually missing our present and that is a very harsh reality. Family members waiting to receive their ‘chemotherapy’ sessions, pre-final year students waiting to get back to their college and grand-parents waiting to visit their children, and we all are waiting, running desperately to reach the end of the tunnel. Our present is fleeting like sand sifting through our fingers, waiting for everything to end.

It is rather funny to think that just a few months back, we all had the opportunity to make choices, deciding where to go and which options need to be thrown out of the window. But think about now. Do we actually have any opportunities to even think over?

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-04-26/covid-19-has-taken-us-from-fomo-to-romo

The New Consumer Protection Act,2019 in India is an upper hand and an added advantage for the consumers in manifold ways

The Consumers can now cheer as the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 has recently replaced the three decade old Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 which came into effect on Monday (July 20) has replaced the earlier Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

The new Act as per the Experts say that “it gives more power to the consumers”. It seeks to revamp the process of administration and settlement of consumer disputes, with strict penalties, including jail term for adulteration and misleading ads by firms.

On July 20, 2020 certain provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came into force as notified by the Central Government. Following the the key features of the relevant provisions:-

Key features of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 which came into effect on July 20, 2020:-

1) Consumers can now institute a complaint from where they reside or work for gain.

2) The original pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Commissions has increased upto ₹1 crore from ₹20 lakh earlier.

3) The Pecuniary jurisdiction of State Commissions has been increased from ₹1 crore to Rs. 10 crore.

4) The National Commission can hear cases above ₹10 crore when compared to above ₹1 crore earlier.

5) While the provisions relating to e-commerce are not yet notified, a section relating to electronic service provider (covering software services, electronic payments) is notified.

6) The opposite party needs to deposit 50% of the amount ordered by the District Commission before filing an appeal before the State Commission. Earlier, the ceiling was a maximum of ₹25,000, which has been removed.

7) The limitation period for filing of appeals to the State Commission has been increased from 30 days to 45 days.

8) The Parties can be allowed to settle the disputes through mediation.

Following are the Sections which came into force:

Consumer Protection Act 2019- Sections to come into force from July 20,2020

Above mentioned provisions pertain to the Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Mediation, Product Liability, punishment for manufacturing, selling, distributing etc spurious good or products which contain adulterant.

As per the rules, the e-commerce players will have to display the total ‘price’ of goods and services offered for sale along with break-up of other charges. Only a few certain miscellaneous provisions with regards and respect to the powers of the Central and State Government to make the rules and regulations have also been enforced.

On misleading advertisements there is provision for jail term and fine for manufacturers. There is no provision for jail for celebrities but they could be banned for endorsing products if it is found to be misleading.

For the first time there will be an exclusive law dealing with Product Liability. A manufacturer or product service provider or product seller will now be responsible to compensate for an injury or damage caused by the defective product or deficiency in services.

The Act has also defined an “e-commerce” as the buying or selling of goods or services including the digital products over digital or electronic networks. The existing definition of e-commerce has been adopted from India’s FDI Guidelines on e-commerce.

The definition of ‘e-commerce Entity’ as provided under the FDI Guidelines includes inventory and market place models.

There is also a provision for class action law suit for ensuring that rights of consumers are not infringed upon. The authority will have power to impose a penalty on a manufacturer or an endorser of up to 10 lakh rupees and imprisonment for up to two years for a false or misleading advertisement.

WEBSITES REFERRED

1)https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/acts-and-rules/consumer-protection

2)https://www.barandbench.com/news/law-policy/provisions-under-consumer-protection-act-2019-to-come-into-force-on-july-20-2020-centre-notifies

3)https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/new-consumer-protection-act-gives-more-power-to-consumers-experts-say/article32135908.ece/amp/

4)https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livemint.com/news/india/consumer-protection-act-rules-for-e-retailers-to-be-effective-by-this-weekend/amp-11595291549084.html

5)https://www.google.com/amp/s/zeenews.india.com/economy/new-consumer-protection-act-2019-comes-into-force-today-know-how-it-will-benefit-you-2297012.html/amp

6)https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.economictimes.com/wealth/spend/heres-how-consumers-will-benefit-under-the-new-consumer-protection-act/amp_articleshow/70711304.cms

7)https://www.google.com/search?q=consumer+protection+act%2C2019&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjOhv7-sN7qAhVIH3IKHTOCBfMQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=Consumer&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQARgAMgQIIxAnMgUIABCxAzIFCAAQsQMyBQgAELEDMgUIABCxAzoHCCMQ6gIQJzoCCAA6BwgAELEDEEM6BAgAEENQ0xRYzipg1jBoAnAAeACAAZABiAGHCJIBAzAuOJgBAKABAbABBcABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=e-QWX47dJsi-yAOzhJaYDw&bih=682&biw=393&prmd=ivn#imgrc=eILduqMFjleJaM

8)https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/consumer

9)https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livelaw.in/amp/news-updates/most-provisions-of-consumer-protection-act-to-come-into-force-160003

Outside perils

It’s been a long time since I have stepped outside my home. With all such dreadful news flying in the air, stepping out is becoming more and more difficult. And to think about all the precautions that one needs to take, makes going out unbearable. If I think about not going out for a week, maybe a few months back, I would have definitely felt insane. There were days when even though there was no necessity to hop out, I would still go, maybe just for a stroll. In fact, truth to be told, I loved going out for any reason whatsoever.

But something seems to be changing with time. I am losing all my urge to go out. I feel terrified of the fact that I have go out. There can be numerous reasons for my lacklustre life. One, before going out, I have to make sure that I wear clothes which I am planning to give for washing, have to put on my mask, carry a sanitizer, carry a carry-bag, keep my mobile at home and the worst of it all, wear a headgear. To go out, maybe for 5 minutes, even for small reasons, such amount of preparation seems to be very tiresome. Two, on coming back to home, there seems to be series of drum-roll activities which is mandatory, otherwise I will be banned from my home. Upon returning, I have to directly run to the washroom, have a bath, wash my clothes and sanitize myself and everything I have bought. And then i am allowed to enter my room. Such huge amount of patience is needed. But what I now think is that I am not going out, not because of the two reasons. These two reasons are like fillers, trying to rationalize the situation and give a plausible explanation to my brain as to why I am not going out. The real reason, which i realized a few days back is completely shocking for me, even after self-realization.

The sole reason is completely psychological. My brain seems to have completely adapted to the new normal and somehow, with time, I ended up liking the isolation. Whenever chances of going out crops out, I do not get the urge to dress up to go out. My brain have completely accepted the fact that if I stay inside, I will be able to keep away the danger of contracting the infection. The truth is I am trying to delay the inevitable and somehow I got too much comfortable at home. Most of the times, I watch series or I study. Either of the two. I have also stopped ordering food from outside, via delivery boys, underlying reason is the fear of contracting infection. It seems like I have reached the peak where I do not feel the urgency nor the necessity to go out.

But, there is a problem with this kind of psychological fear. As our government is trying to bring about Unlock in phases, I still feel that there is no need to go outside, for the slightest of reasons. There is a very high chance that it might not be just me, many people across the globe might be feeling this. But they might not be comfortable opening up about this. So according to what I believe, that it might be very impressive as to what the government is doing to combat the entire issue, but at the same time, mental health and welfare institutions must also come in fore-front to break this silo and to take steps to rebuild this psychological breakdown.

Source: Self

Holy Week and Easter in the time of pandemic

Last April, Holy Week and Easter were marred by the fire in the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and by terrorist attacks upon churches in Sri Lanka. This month, Holy Week and Easter seem overshadowed by the COVIN-19 pandemic. Good stewardship of our own health, and love for our neighbors prompting concern for their health, keeps most Christians from gathering for services during these very special days. Neither violence nor disease can mar or overshadow the meaning of these days. Christ has redeemed us from sin and death. Christ has rescued us from all evil. Christ has risen from the dead; he lives and reigns to all eternity.

Sin resembles a communicable disease. It spreads throughout the world, and none of us are immune from its infection. Sin separates us from one another. Sin builds barriers that keep us from loving each other as we should love. Sin isolates us. Sin even separates us from the God who created us. The wages of sin is death, and this death comes in a variety of forms, each of which is a separation. Separation from God is spiritual death. The soul’s separation from the body is physical death. Combined, they result in eternal death. Every sinful separation is a kind of death. Sin can separate members of families. Sin can sever friendships. Because of sin, each of us is divided internally; none of us is in touch with the holy person God meant us to be.

Jesus, the Son of God, came into this wilderness of sin and death. Like a shepherd, Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost. In the wilderness he battled the devil, overcoming Satan’s temptations. In all his days, Jesus led a sinless life, obeying all his Father’s commands, fulfilling perfect righteousness. Jesus then faced the ugliness of sin and death in their fullness. He was betrayed, denied, accused, convicted, mocked, tortured, and killed. He deserved none of these things. Because evil is unfair, good people suffer in this world. Because evil is unfair, the one perfect Person suffered and died. Because evil is unfair, God himself became unfair, granting us the rewards earned by his Son’s righteousness and placing the burden of our guilt upon Him.

Good stewardship of our health and love for our neighbors will keep us in our homes this Good Friday and this Easter. We still live in a sin-polluted world, a world infected by evil and the separations evil causes. But our isolation is not permanent. Many Christians enjoy the benefit of Internet services, which allow us to join our voices in worship even though we are physically apart. All Christians have access to the Word of God, which proclaims his love and mercy and assures us of our place in his kingdom. All of us are guaranteed the love of God, which we will know in its fullness in the new creation, but which we enjoy already today. We know that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. J.