Mission Delhi – Ajay, South Delhi Mission Delhi by The Delhi Walla - May 16, 2020May 18, 20200 One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] At first sight, he looks like a case study: How to sip a cooling drink in this summer of coronavirus pandemic? After all, one is obliged to wear a mask in public spaces these days. Ajay doesn’t take off the face wear, but only pulls it down so that it slips under the chin, and then he starts sucking in the fresh coconut water through the plastic straw. It’s early evening and he is enjoying the nourishment on a south Delhi pavement. “I have no money to buy nariyal pani,” Ajay clarifies, gesturing towards his apparently empty pants pockets. Pointing to two masked men beside him, he says
City Series – Vriti Taneja in Delhi, We the Isolationists (298th Corona Diary) Corona Diary by The Delhi Walla - May 16, 2020May 16, 20200 Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Vriti Taneja] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona... and I see a crystalline, azure river, once dark and dirty, now triumphing with life, rejuvenated at its own pristine waters. The diya from the priest's lamp no longer comes paddling onto her soft streams as an offering. She hasn't borne the burden of being contaminated by industrial effluents all these few days and her rivulets, along with their mightier forms, flow magestically. Alongside, the air smells of blooming flowers; and birds chirp while other animals finally feel safe. I smile, elated by Mother Nature's euphoria. “We the Isolationists” series urges folks from any part of the world to share a brief diary starting with “I
City Series – Amarjeet Kaur in Delhi, We the Isolationists (297th Corona Diary) Corona Diary by The Delhi Walla - May 16, 20200 Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Amarjeet Kaur] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona... and I see the pain around the world i think of those who have lost those who are scared i see humans understanding the common shared pain without any race, religion, gender or class then i close my eyes wish for the good days i see hope, for a better future and people coming out after fighting their battles grateful to be alive hugging, kissing then i see happiness, love without boundaries without discrimination human to human heart to heart and then i know we will see each other again. “We the Isolationists” series urges folks from any part of the world to share a brief diary starting with “I close my eyes in my self-isolation from Corona... and I see...” Not
City Series – Niharika Mittra in Dubai, We the Isolationists (296th Corona Diary) Corona Diary by The Delhi Walla - May 16, 20200 Our corona diary. [Text and photo by Niharika Mittra] I close my eyes in self-isolation from corona... and I see faces. Faces of loved ones. Of friends, old and new. Of family in distant lands. Of acquaintances I only know through the Internet. Of people unknown, unmet, only seen on TV, who nonetheless inspire through their acts of courage and camaraderie. All the riches in the world and yet what this pandemic has really made us pine for are our relationships and friendships. As we sit by ourselves, what we long for is the human connection - not money or power or fame but fulfilling relationships that help abate our loneliness and make us smile. For all the misery this pandemic has