Lockdown Diaries 04_ The Internet, our saviour?

The eternal, non-conclusive debate…Does technology benefit us? Is the Internet good or bad?.

Well, my personal opinion, during this lockdown, technology has definitely been of utmost importance. Internet has helped us in all possible ways to survive in the sanest manner. Can you imagine not having a mobile phone to stay connected with the world, a computer without an internet connection, TV with streaming apps to watch umpteen number of variety of TV programs, Digital news and so on and so forth?

The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.

Bill Gates

A friend’s son asked me the other day, “Uncle, do you know who is the unluckiest person in the world right now?’ His answer was, the one who has lost his phone or given his phone or the computer for repairs just before the lockdown!!! The concept, albeit a funny one, got me thinking!!!

The internet has definitely helped me to stay in touch with my friends through social media and the various calling applications available. It has helped me learn new recipes through the demo videos available on the tube. The very fact that I can write the thoughts that come to mind as blogs and share it with all of you says a lot. Reruns of old TV programs have brought back memories and made us nostalgic in these tough times. The daily Newspaper is absent in the physical form but the technology has made sure that I am updated on daily happenings by the hour. Staying in touch with family and friends, even though not physically, but virtually is definitely happening everywhere. In fact, we friends, on video calls have even started partying and playing games!!! This would have been laughed at had someone proposed it a couple of months back.

Many of us have been able to go about their daily routines because of the easy accessibility and availability of the Internet.

The Internet is the most effective instrument we have for Globalization.

Milton Friedman

‘Work from Home’ has enabled people to stick to their jobs. I am sure this is the way forward. Many of us would realize the benefits of this system. For the organization, the overheads like the Electricity bill, Maintenance expenses, Rents, etc. can be saved. For the staff, the time taken to travel in the ‘peak hours’ could be eliminated. Most of my friends have already adjusted to this new schedule of working online from home and are as busy as they were earlier. In fact they have been regularly exercising, spending more time at home, while going about their daily job schedule and generally adjusting better to this new lifestyle. Video conferencing applications have ensured that deadlines are still being met, meetings are still being held.

The other day , there was a piece of news I came across that a few students in Mumbai have asked their tutors to conduct online classes even post the Lockdown as they save on the travel time and can put that time to better use (hopefully studying!!!) A couple of our friend’s kids have already started their school- ‘online’! Earlier, the concept of home schooling was not all that popular but I guess, soon it just might be a way of life.

There is a sudden surge of ‘Do at Home Exercises’ videos, where trainers are explaining how one can exercise efficiently inside our own home. This is another trend which his extremely popular and I too am following it to keep myself fit and healthy. I was (and still am) an ‘outdoor ‘ person but better sense has prevailed and I have tuned myself to burn the same amount of calories, indoors that I would have otherwise burnt outdoors. Of course, the outdoors are much more fun but the indoors are as tiring if not more.

There are so many amazing webinars, seminars, talks happening online. People are having online classes for so many activities and since there is more time on hand many have enrolled it into as well.

A very dear friend of mine, Yayati Zende, has started a very interesting online program called ‘ Live at 5’ ,every Saturday at 05.00 pm. He being the awesome musician that he is, has started a Instagram live session where he take requests from people in the previous week and plays and sings those songs online in a live session. There are occasions where a few friends of his also join in the live session and they jam together.  He tells us some anecdotes and some memories about the songs that are played and thus it almost feels like we are attending his live concert. We eagerly wait for our Saturday evenings to begin on a great note like this. (if anyone of you is interested to attend this fantastic program, you can send a request to Yayati on Instagram and join in the live at 5).He will now be taking online guitar classes as well for all those who are interested.

A couple of online talks that I have joined in ranged from a talk on Wildlife by Makrand Ketkar, to physical fitness sessions by Indian Sport revolution and Bavdhan brigade to being interviewed for a talk on cycling for Speaking wheels anniversary celebration. Another cycling buddy of mine, Suraj, had invited us for a ghazal program online. My birthday was during the lockdown. I was wished by so many people at the same time, thanks to the video calling applications. I almost felt that everyone was around and I didn’t even have to share the cake!!!College /school reunions are happening online being physically close for such activities are no longer a need, thanks to the technology. A major movie ticketing application company has started online shows which you can join in for a nominal fee and view it live instead of going to a theatre.

We are all connected by the Internet, like neurons in a giant brain.

Stephen Hawking

Of course, there is flip side to this. Kids are spending more time in front of the screen. Recently there was a horrible incident of some group of boys from Delhi who made the most unethical use of the internet. Most of us are into our phones and computers longer, but I guess this was happening irrespective of the lockdown as well. In fact, as mentioned before, the lockdown along with teaching us to enjoy the simple pleasures of life also has made us realize the importance of technology and progress.

The Internet has been a boon and a curse for teenagers.

J.K. Rowling

A big shout out to all the people who are ‘working from home’ to keep the applications going so that the rest of stay connected, the banking staff who are working so that our online transactions haven’t been hampered, the entertainment industry and the media guys who keep us well informed and entertained during these times. Everyone is just waiting to get back to their previous routines but I am sure there will be major changes in our lifestyles. So here is hoping for all the best and we shall be soon back to ‘routine’ again.