When Death Comes Calling
Covid-19
The Covid-19 Pandemic has affected us in several ways. For one, we are all in it together — if you exclude China from the equation. If my knowledge is correct, this is the first truly global pandemic since the Spanish Flu of 1918–20. One century ago. We were all in something together one hundred years ago. It’s been a long time since we all shared something.
Nationalism
There have been pandemics and epidemics since then. The Spanish Flu came in as a tailwind of World War I. No one could foresee the consequences of the War.
One was the rise of the Nazis in Germany. We know what happened as a result of their rise.
I think that nationalist movements swept through many countries around this time. The Nationalist movement in India gained considerable traction now. The RSS was born in 1924 or 1925. They propounded a rather narrow and warped form of nationalism. Sadly, nationalism is associated with patriotism.
Many Deaths
India and Pakistan were created in 1947. India was awkwardly split into two countries. Millions died during World War II. Millions were displaced during India’s Partition. Thousands died. Hate replaced friendship. Friends raped and killed people they had lived with amicably for generations. India and Pakistan were born in an orgy of hate and blood.
Like many other, my skin crawled when I saw images of the concentration camps that were set up by the Nazis. My skin crawled when I saw images of Jews tortured and killed. My skin crawled when I saw images of Japan after the American dropped the atom bombs. My skin crawled when I saw images that emerged from India’s Partition.
I did read somewhere that, when millions die, death becomes a statistic. No one can identify with millions dead, except at an intellectual level. The dead are just a number.
If you look at images of some of those who died during the Spanish Flu, your skin will crawl. Images of war and persecution will have the same effect.
You will be disturbed. You may engage in all sorts of discussions and debated about human behavior and morality. Then, you will carry on with life.
Statistics
During the first months of the pandemic, I used to pore over statistic every day.
· The number of new cases, by country
· The number of deaths, by country
· The number of new cases, by state, in India
· The number of deaths, by state, in India
The deaths that took place in 1947 affect me emotionally. It is close to my heart because my family was uprooted. My people were killed, often with a brutality that will shock your sensibility. Politicians preach peace, but spread hate and violence. This is what they do.
I am affected by the deaths of the Jews, but in a more intellectual manner. The same holds for the soldiers who died in various wars. They fought and died so that we can walk free. I grew up watching American and British films depicting Nazi soldiers as villains. Then, I read “All Quiet on The Western Front” by Erich Maria Remarque. We are all humans. Distinctions like color, caste, creed, nationality should be secondary. They should not prevent us from acknowledging another person’s humanity. It does.
India’s Partition does not affect my kids in any emotional manner. It is too far in the past, and they did not grow up with stories of the Partition.
Is it good? In one way, yes. It’s time to move on, and not dwell on the past. Is it good? In another way, no. When you are oblivious to your own history, people can fill you with distorted facts. You see people across the border as enemies to may want to crush them.
As long as they realize that they must build bridges and not burn them, it will be good. There will be hope.
Thousands have died this year due to Covid-19, or Covid-19 related complications. It’s awful. There is a huge cost we are paying, but the numbers are a statistic that just records the passing of one more person.
Death Comes Calling
Then, my classmates died. Family members died. Others are still in hospital. My neighbor, who is young and somewhat fit, recovered from the illness. But recently, he developed complications.
Suddenly, the numbers have meaning. They have a face.
Death, when it comes calling, reminds you that it is not a statistic. It looks you up and down and asks you to re-evaluate your perceptions.
Death, when it comes calling, does not leave alone. Death leaves with the stories and the relationships of the person who once lived.
Yama listens to your story, and then decides if you cross the Vaitarna River or not.
He does leave your story behind. He leaves a different version in each person who knew the dead soul. We all remember him, or her, differently and each in our own way.
When the Fourth Horseman comes riding up to your door, does he listen to your stories. Does he just leave with your soul?
Whatever happens, when Death comes calling, it reminds us that Death is not only a statistic.
Death would like us to remember that the bell does toll for thee. John Donne will remind us
“Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
Death comes calling, and when it comes calling for me, I hope that others remember that the bell tolls for all.
