Two years of Covid 19 and Janta Curfew — My Transition to WFH and experience
Today 22nd March 2022 marks two years of Janta Curfew and how I transitioned to WFH in my job.
How I transitioned to WFH
I remember the day during (February-Mar 2020) working from the Office and all the chaos, the anxiety we were seeing by hearing news of Covid Positive cases. We in our team were discussing, ‘what will happen in the future’, ‘How we will transition to WFH’ and so many questions without any answer. As Holi was also across this time, unsure of how Covid spread and our future. We planned for the Holi celebration in our team on 10th Mar 2022 and enjoyed it. Then comes the surprise that Covid is spreading fast in Banglore. News, WhatsApp, and other social media were flooded with the real-time updates of Covid cases.
There were empty roads. Before covid, it is used to take around 2 hours to reach Office, but due to empty roads, I reached office in 30 minutes
While we were scared of Covid, We were looking at our company management on Work from Home plans as it was not safe to come to the office. on 17th March 2020, we got an update from the management that, “We don’t need to come to the office from 18th Mar 2020”. we were happy and also worried about the future.
As cases were increasing, There was an advisory from the Commissioner's office for returning home from Hostel or PG.
After seeing this advisory, I and my friends got worried about how we will manage our food, essential items, and healthcare if anything goes wrong as we were staying in the PG. So I decided to leave Bangalore but there was no update from our organization on WFH policy. We directly reached out to leadership. To my surprise, they were so much supportive and allowed us to leave Bangalore. Now the struggle started for a Flight ticket. Flight tickets were not available so I kept searching for a flight and finally got a ticket for the Morning Indigo flight on 22 March 2020. Finally was happy about returning home, Packing the bags.
On 19 Mar 2020, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister announced for Janta Curfew on 22 Mar 2020 in the address to the nation. The announcement came as shocking as I believed it is the start of the Lockdown and Flight will be canceled and WhatsApp chats were also fueling the anxiety.
By god grace, the Flight was not canceled. Due to fear of the Lockdown announcement, Cab cancellation, I went to Airport a day before my flight schedule.
Now comes more problem, As everyone was asking to follow Social distancing, Mask. but at Airport, None was following Social Distancing. Everyone was worried about reaching home. Airport was empty, Only a few flights were there so People were standing at one location. There was none from the Airport administration to ask people to follow social distancing or wear masks.
I tweeted on the same day:
Finally, I boarded the flight from Banglore to Patna. The problem was not yet solved as I had to travel 100 KM from Patna Airport to my home by Train or Bus. All buses and trains were canceled due to Janta Curfew except one train that was going to my hometown. The other problem was for reaching Patna Junction from Airport. As there were no buses or cabs and there was the only solution to walk till Patna Junction which is around 6 KM. So I started walking and running as I had to catch this last train. Then one car stopped near me and asked if he can drop me anywhere. I was so much happy as he dropped me at Patna Junction. I thanked him and god to send him for me.
As I saw in Banglore, I thought if Banglore is managing Covid in this way, How would Bihar handle it. But I got surprised after arriving at Patna Airport. Temperature checks were happening at Airport Exit, everyone was following Social Distancing. Police were at Patna Junction, there were Covid testing Kiosks and helpdesk, None was allowed to go inside or outside without a temperature check.
I boarded the train, I was the only person in my coach and it was all dirty so I tweeted to the Railway Minister and the coach was cleaned by Railway staff within 10 minutes.
After traveling for 3 hours by train, I reached the railway station near to my home, where my father picked me up and I finally reached home.
This is how I came from Bangalore to My home and transitioned to Work From Home which is continuing for 2 years.
