Hovering copters, chirping birds, and barbed streets: In a first, Kashmir supports Govt lockdown

Srinagar, Mar 20: We must have thought it will never happen in our lifetime but it has: the government of Kashmir and its people are on the same page.
It has taken an invisible virus to bring the two  on table. The fight is against Novel COVID19, the deadly (and unbiased) virus that has engulfed the whole world and is knocking on the doors here too.
As Kashmir witnessed its first positive case on Wednesday, it triggered a response from both the government and the people.
‘Social isolation’ the phrase that earlier carried a negative connotation, is now probably the only weapon that can defeat the corona contagion.
As such the authorities in Kashmir have called for a total shutdown starting Friday to keep people inside their homes, and the latter, more or less, have gladly concurred.
It’s Friday morning and one could hear helicopters hovering over the city, probably getting a bird’s view of the lockdown. The roads are nearly empty though one can see paramilitary deployments in dribs and drabs.
Then and now, an autorickshaw passes through but overall the people have taken well to the government lockdown decree.
In this sullen silence, the chirping of mynas and even smaller birds is distinct. The sounds resonate man’s futility against nature  (you can also call the latter God, universe, balance or circle of life etc. depending upon what you believe):  humans, the greatest creation of God, dragged to corners by a puff of air, while a palm-sized makes merry flying wherever it wants.
The best that people can do in these times is ensure precautions, limit physical contact with others, and avoid hoarding supplies.
Mass gathering — be it religious, social or official — can be put aside for a few weeks. Individual prayers, though, need to be taken one step up for two purposes: one to find solace and strength, and two to keep oneself away from the ‘dapaan’ syndrome.