We were used to having all kinds of events in the conventional way till the announcement of the lockdown on 25 March, which was a Wednesday. There were social gatherings planned for the weekends. The gatherings were to have a wide range. Some would be get-togethers of personal friends and some of official colleagues. Those were arranged for networking and for extending contacts for business. Those were also arranged simply for fun and frolic to release stresses of life. We used to forget various problems in life at favourite spots with our favourite companions. We felt happy and relaxed when we communicated face-to-face. There is a difference in nature of various social gatherings. The purpose of business gatherings is different from wedding ceremonies. The gathering of office colleagues has a different purpose from that of friends.  Unfortunately social gatherings are spoken in the ‘past tense’ now.  Strict restrictions during the pandemic have a vast effect on our social life.

In the new development people are adjusting to the ‘virtual’ social gatherings. It can no more be physical, at least not in near future. Gatherings of all age groups are taking help of various video-calling applications— Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. WhatsApp only used to allow four for video call before the lockdown. But afterwards it has been upgraded to eight. The party-goers have changed their party mode. They are sending invitations via Zoom links to have a “Zoom Party” in houses instead of physically attending house party or bar or disc. Whenever there is time for celebrations or even for any stress call friends are there to meet via video calls. We can talk there for hours because of user-friendly network plans. Delicious food from restaurants was paused for about three months. Now due to the Unlockdown 1.0 restaurants and food stalls are opening gradually. But people are still feeling uneasy to have food from there. Some food bloggers are now going out to review the protections taken by the restaurants. It is helping foodies to gain confidence about the places they used to frequent.

Companies like TCS, Infosys have announced that a section of workers can continue their ‘work from home’ without losing the jobs. The decision is taken for maintaining social distancing in offices. No more brainstorming in cosy conference rooms. The ‘new’ conference rooms are virtual. The great fun and dance in weddings are not viable as the number of invitees has been severely restricted by rule. Not more than fifty people are allowed in such event of a lifetime. The families of brides and grooms are now in a dilemma in choosing the preferred guests in the stipulated fifty-people guest list. Newly-wed couples have to wait for the whole year to go for honeymoon because of flight restrictions, both domestic and international.

Educational institutions used to have lively seminars in auditoriums or lecture halls. Now it is time for Webinars. Students are given the links to attend educational webinars from home. But it is ‘beneficial’ for backbenchers. They log in and put audio and video in mute mode to ignore the lectures. They can do whatever they want in their rooms while the speakers are busy speaking. Some companies have started giving free online courses on various topics for two weeks or for a month. The target audience is the youth who will be given e-certificates on completion. There has been a huge increase in demand for virtual internships or remote internships from college and university students and freelancers. They have decided not to waste time and do something which will be useful for the future. It seems the youths have become more matured in this lockdown.

The entire routine and plans have gone upside-down for people everywhere. We even do not know when will the normal time be back. For people this is a pretty unusual, if not abnormal, year. Many are getting adjusted to this sort of routine but it is more difficult for the elderly, especially who live alone. We have to think about them and take care of them in this situation.

Finally, some of us think that we the human beings deserve this for destroying the Mother Nature for long. Thus, we now face the consequences of our Karma. However, it calls for a different debate.