Getting ready everyday!

Letter-10

 

Dear Friends,

 

We enter into another week with a heavy heart because of the events in the Indo-China border and the alarming news of wider spread of COVID 19 in some parts of India. 

 

Anna and I watched this Crow Pheasant (Coucal) grooming itself. It was drying its wings to get ready for the flight journey of the day! Most birds have such rituals at daybreak. 

 

What caught my attention was the several body exercises it performed during a ten minutes period. For it to be air-born, it ought to have a flexible and agile body. 

 

 

 

 

  

A bird has to overcome during its flight the force of gravity, the strong current of wind, the air pressure changes associated with cloud formation and movements, etc. A bird’s flight path has these and other hostile situations. A bird would be familiar with some situations and would have earlier experience to face them. But a bird cannot always foresee an attack from a predator or getting trapped in the air current of an aircraft or suffering from the danger of thunder and lightning. Birds suffer during such occasions.

 

I have a sense that we are faced with similar unusual situation-the rage of the COVID 19, Indo-China border dispute, loss of jobs or considerably reduced income for millions in India, the economic stress pushing many into starvation and the economy slipping into recession with serious consequences on the livelihood of people! A convergence of many least expected events, making the clock of progress turn backwards since independence.  

 

I heard from a friend working in a mission hospital, that the ‘stretching’ of their financial resources during this difficult time has impaired their normal functioning. Sensing it the staff came forward to offer a voluntary cut on their pay, till the hospital is able to resume its normal activities. 

 

I hear some commendable stories of mindfulness and self-giving, in spite of the fact that the state governments are yet to reimburse large sums to some hospitals for treating patients through the government sponsored insurance schemes. The reaction of the two hospitals that I am in touch with, is patience and tolerance even when the governments ignore the repeated requests for reimbursement! The promising news is the resolve of these mission hospitals to turn the hospitals to be a ‘shelter and refuge’ for those who feel marginalised. Some of our hospitals have become the first port of call for such people. 

 

Dr C.K.Job, who worked with Dr Paul Brand in developing the leprosy care at Karigiri told me something about Dr Brand, which comes to my mind now. Dr Brand after taking care of a patient who suffered from ulcers in the feet due to Leprosy, noticed that the patient had no foot- wear. Dr Brand removed his microcellular sandals and made the patient go home wearing it. Dr Job told me that Dr Brand usually wore a microcellular footwear so that he could give it away if someone needed it more than himself. Dr Brand lived with a giving heart. 

 

It is the same message I get from the mission hospitals-the spirit of giving and caring. Your acts of kindness would restore people to wellness. Anna and I think of you and carry you in our hearts. 

 

M.C.Mathew, 21.6.2020