” New Year 2021 – Give It Five ! ” – December 31, 2020.

2020 has been one of the most unforgettable years of this Century with chilling imageries of the Coronavirus still haunting us all. The entire world was crowned with Corona. 2021 shall change that is everybody’s hope and prayers.

That which started in China in Nov/Dec 2019 spread its tentacles hard everywhere in the world swiftly.

Streets without any transport ; Temples without devotees ; Factories without employees ; Theaters without audience ; and any other thing that one can think of not having heard or seen in our lives before constituted the sad and stunning spectacle through most of 2020.

If ever people came to the streets, it was to witness the empty sight and situation haunted by the spectre of aching emptiness in their hearts and minds.

Students in schools and colleges passed and graduated mostly without any examinations. Many continued with their studies either online or joined work that was lucky to have been offered.

Mask wearing, Social distancing, and Repeated washing of hands became a habit. Everyone in this world had become a creature of these habits in 2020.

Economy battered ; Unemployment soared ; Relationships and reputation tattered ; Normal life disrupted ; and Homes and Shops shielded.

It was nearly a gracious gift from the Gods that elders in homes got their fresh opportunity to interact with their grandchildren directly in homes or with the help of electronic gadgets. For those struggling to come out of their homes, it made for a refreshing change to be in conversations with their blood relations.

Savings and not expenditure had not just become the saving grace but the gospel of financial strength of most individuals.

Those intentionally spending their time in parks or public places were frightened to gather in those very places. Even family, social, or religious gatherings that usually lull people into a sense of security were totally avoided.

Misleading initial impressions of reality that Corona will disappear soon have been belied and erased from our minds when news of deaths of celebrities due to Coronavirus attack became known with each passing day, week, or even month. Herman Cain, former Republican Presidential candidate (74); John Prine, folksinger and songwriter (73); Lee Fiarro, actress (91); Lucia Bose, Italian actress (89); Ken Shimura, Japanese Comedian (70); Floyd Cordez, Celebrity chef (59); Maria Teresa, Princess (86) first royal to die – are just to name some international figures. H Vasanthakumar, Congress MP; SP Balasubramanyam, singer; Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India; and J Anbazhagan, DMK MP are some Indians to note.

That 2021 will not be free from the stranglehold of Coronavirus is already visible. Andrew Hayward, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at University College, London, warns that ” UK is already entering a very dangerous phase of the Pandemic “, and added that “desired” action is needed. ‘Tighter restrictions than before are needed to contain the new variant of Coronavirus detected recently’. England already has more COVID-19 patients now in NHS hospitals than during the peak of first wave in April 2020. First known case of the new COVID-19 variant from UK has already been identified in the US yesterday, Dec 29. It raises the stress and anxiety of every individual, in particular, the US, UK, and EU which already bears the brunt of this COVID-19 tragedy.

People of many nations were caught in the grip of fear and several national governments lost their grips in its effective control.

What has happened has happened. Coming New Year 2021 should see everyone with a new determination and strength.

Respect every Religion ; Respect every Citizen ; Respect Savings ;. Respect Health ; and Respect Hard Work – should be the message of 2021.

2020 had planted the seeds of future hope for everyone who has been holding the present as ‘reality’.

2021 foresees and anticipates the hope and determination that we can make in our lives under any critical situation.

Hi Five to 2021.

” Dieu avec nous “

Thursday, December 31, 2020 – 11.19 a.m. (IST)

Tidbit : ” New Year is the time to start a new chapter in life “.