Nurungukal….

     Thirty first May 2020,time 8 PM. An event, for the first time in our family was going to take place. A zoom party. I was an amateur in handling an on line video meeting with several others. Still I ventured to take a plunge, because I was sure about the support of our younger folks. When it was finally on, I felt as if I was airborne in a cloud or on a magical carpet to float amazingly from continent to continent, country to country and place to place. As the characters slowly emerged one by one on that little screen, we were in a clamour to greet and signal each other. As usual, akin to our family trait the customary crescendo of the chorus gained rapidly and as I could see a canvas of utter chaos was slowly rising. Although we were miles apart physically we behaved as if the distance was no matter.  To many among us this event was much familiar with, and it was so in the case of some of my friends. But  to me it was so strange , energising and I carried the effervescence of that experience till late at night. Even when it lacked any charm of an organic togetherness, the meeting had all the ingredients of a live sentimental texture and closeness. In other words it was well within our expectations. As it came to a close, one by one reluctantly withdrew from the arena and the screen drew blank, letting us in wait till next week.

        The whole episode was an eye-opener to me about the vast horizon of potentialities of the technology and the accomplishments of human race. I wonder a day may come when we may be able to have access to those who had left us in grief. Perhaps that may be the only option left before us to combat future pandemics. Beware, a shade war is on. There is no escape from it until humanity  succumbs to the inevitable acceptance of co-existence…….