How young Indians are coping with life under COVID-19 lockdown

The pandemic has made the younger generation learn important life lessons

work-from-home-covid19 Representational Image | Pixabay

Saideep Bharadwaj sounds like Holden Caulfield of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye as he talks about life in the time of COVID-19. “There is a general sense of lethargy and lack of motivation that I find in myself,” says 28-year-old from Bengaluru.

Unlike Caulfield, Bharadwaj doesn’t allow the angst to consume himself. He tries to stay positive amid the all-pervading gloom when everything is falling apart. He believes the key is to live in the present as much as possible. “I’ve never been someone who is worried about something which might happen in the future. I worry about something that is going to happen right now as in what I need to do next,” says Bharadwaj, who works as a freelance content writer. That said, he adds, “I know it’s going to be difficult and it’s not going to be the same for everyone.”

Young Indians are learning lessons in frugality from their parents and grandparents who have gone through hard times. The past few months have been eye-opening for many as they realise why saving money is important. COVID-19 has made them learn important life lessons.

For Vishal Jain and Megha Ahuja (names changed), a live-in couple who moved in three months ago, the lockdown has been a test of their relationship. “She was working and I was studying. We always wanted to spend more time together. Ever since the lockdown, she got to work from home and we started spending a lot of time together,” says Jain, 19, who is currently doing his graduation in Bengaluru. The couple fights a lot more nowadays, sometimes making Jain wonder whether the relationship will survive. “It has been a rollercoaster ride. However, we have been caring enough to resolve our conflicts,” says Jain who loves reading with Ahuja.

Ahuja learnt to cook during the lockdown and it gives her a great sense of accomplishment. Her culinary masterpieces include beef fry and veg noodles.

Living in a tiny house during the lockdown has been extremely challenging for the couple. “Somehow, we avoid killing each other,” says Jain.

Ahuja, the main breadwinner of the family, is constantly worried about losing her job. She has been forced to take a salary cut and fears that things will get worse once the lockdown is lifted. “I’ll end up spending more than half my salary on commuting,” says the 25-year-old from Ranchi. 

Priyamvada Mangal, 27, from Mumbai keeps herself sane and busy with her practice of yoga and online classes.  “The announcement of the third phase of lockdown is a signal that all’s not going to be well soon and the virus has spread a lot. But the acceptance that nothing can be done about it except for following rules and ensuring that you have mental peace and physical health is helping,” says Mangal, who finds solace in writing as well.