“We are in this together- and we will get through this, together.” We are not living in fear, we are living in faith. These are the only thoughts we could have at that time. Yes, you’re correct on that score! I'm talking about the COVID-19 Pandemic, which more or less wiped us all off. It robbed us of our homes, food, basic essentials, and most importantly, our loved ones. It also robbed us of our mental and physical health. An atmosphere of pressure and melancholy was brought on by the distressing news and the rising incidence of Corona cases. Only a certain number of people were able to endure on a physical, financial, emotional, or mental level. It wasn't always too serious; instead, it was because people didn't have the means to take care of themselves. It was a situation we were aware of, were sensitive to and were vicariously experiencing feelings and thoughts that did not let us hold ourselves back from the thought of helping others in need. We had that ability to understand and feel what our fellow human beings experienced from their point of view. We couldn't bear seeing our fellow humans in such a state because it could be us someday, God Forbid.

We heard expressions that we never imagined we would use, because they did help us, but ultimately proved to be very strenuous in real life, “माँ मुझे स्कूल जाना है ” (Mom I want to go to school), “मैं ऑफिस जा रहा हूँ”(I am going to the office). The fear of death is worse than dying and each and every person from a small infant to a senior citizen felt it. Viruses don’t discriminate and neither should we. Though self-care became a need for us but then what about the community? Covid destroyed the lives of the people so severely that we were forced to witness scenes where people were dying outside of hospitals in front of their loved ones while they were helpless in that situation. Many middle-class families bought all of their groceries from a grocery store so that their supply never runs out, but what about your fellow human beings, my friend? We believed that Ekya was the only solution that could give our hearts some solace, the solution that could be a selfless measure to show care, provide comfort, save lives and fulfil our wish of the “need to give” all we have to the community. The pandemic had increased the necessity of educating and preparing our youth for sustainable livelihoods. We, the youth of the nation, felt it to be our duty to lend a hand forward, and start the change we wished to witness in our society.

~ Jigisha Khemka