Parmeshwar Devkota

Before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we used to say that we, Nepalis, were kind-hearted people ready to help fellow beings in crisis irrespective of our economic and social status.
There were numerous instances showing our caring nature. About three years ago, a passer-by collapsed at Rudramati Chowk of Kapan in Kathmandu. Many people standing nearby immediately rushed to the scene and rescued the person in no time. They took him to a safe place, and sprinkled water on his face. After regaining his lost consciousness, he said: “I am from Taplejung district. I have been suffering from chronic diabetes. I fell down, as the sugar level in my body decreased. I wanted to go to home but could not do so as I have not money to pay for bus fare.”
Moved by his pathetic condition, the people collected more than Rs. 4,000 for him. A shopkeeper gave some packets of sugar-free biscuit and water bottles to him. Then, the man expressed his gratitude to all those who helped him, and then headed towards his destination. Such was the nature of Nepali people. But, with the outbreak of the global public health crisis, the situation has been drastically changed much to the chagrin of many. Even in the moment of utter humanitarian crisis, there are fewer helping hands to support the people who have been infected with virus or lost their loved ones.
Sometime back a septuagenarian from Gorkha died at the same Rudramati Chowk. Local people lovingly called him Thapaliya Dai. The soft-spoken tall gentleman was a retired teacher. If he had not died of COVID-19, hundreds of people would have participated in his funeral procession. But sadly, nobody took part in it. Even his spouse was not allowed to attend his last rites as she was also suffering from hypertension.
Frankly speaking, the fatal virus disease has divested of our inherent virtues, duties and values. We, humans, have our own religion, tradition, culture and rituals that guide us from birth to death. We can express our thoughts, share ideas and emotions through language.
But, now we have been unable to express our sorrow and sympathy to the deceased because of this virus. The people of various faiths around the world cannot cremate their dead relatives in accordance with their customs, as they need to maintain physical distancing to avoid the killer virus. Hopefully, the departed souls would not frown upon us for they know that coornavirus has prevented us from paying tribute to them and perform rituals.
Despite the virus stopping the people from expressing their intimacy and friendliness with near and dear ones, it cannot strip them of the humane feelings and compassion. The benevolent people are feeding birds and dogs left high and dry in the streets. Some media outlets, firms and institutions have been providing humanitarian aid to the needy and poor people hit hard by the pandemic.
Such activities show that we are kind enough towards animals and birds as well. This indicates that we have not been changed. If there are some lapses in the process of cremation ceremonies and worships, it is because of COVID-19. The whole world has been struggling to defeat the disease and restore order. Once we overcome this pandemic, our customs, traditions and rituals will be restored and things will go as usual.