People in historic Downtown, here are fighting the covid19 pandemic in their “own way”.
For Riyaz Ahmad Wani at Nowhatta “surviving against theodds” has never been a problem for the people of the Downtown, however heagrees the situation this time around is completely different.
“Given the past experiences, people here are sensitive tostocking foods. We have adapted to being home for long durations playing indoorgames,” said Wani.
However, he adds that the challenge this time around iscompletely different for obvious reasons.
Wani said as is their wont in lockdowns though for adifferent purpose, many localities in the Downtown including Nowhatta,Nawakadal, Rajouri Kadal, Gojwara and Hawal recently pooled their ‘BaitulMaals’ (welfare funds) to help needy people.
“We have the concept ofBaitul Maal right from 1980s here. What we did this time around is that wepooled together nearly 100 Baitul-Maals belonging to different localities tohelp the needy in respective vicinities,” he said.
Besides, the people are making artificial sprayers fromplastic bottles to spray disinfectants in the localities. “We made some 500sprayers and distributed them. This is how we do it here,” said Wani.
In order to avoid covid19 spread, people particularly youngboys have blocked interior alleys to prevent public movement. However,volunteers ensure movement in times of medical emergencies.
There is another culture of ‘dareav kin darbar’ (window towindow talking) that has been revived in the congested areas.
For Tufail Shah from Khanyar, such communication help’stress buster’ among the people in times of “social distancing”.
“Though younger generation is tech-savvy and spending mostof their time on the gadgets, elders, particularly women, can be seen usingthis age old tradition of window to window talking,” said Shah.
Recently, psychiatrists of Institute of Mental Health andNeurosciences (IMHANS) in an advisory had also endorsed window-to-windowtalking in times of social distancing.
Dr Arshid Hussain at IMHANS agrees that this type ofcommunication in times of social distancing helps in socialising.
“In Downtown, the placesare close-by, so instead of actually mingling with your neighbours, it is goodto socialise with them through window-to-window talking. It will maintain thedistance and help in socialising at the same time,” said Dr Arshid.
Dr Yasir Rather at IMHANS said: “Idea of physical distancingshould not be confused with social distancing. You need to remain sociallyconnected while maintaining physical distance, like in the old city they do”.