Post Amphan a picture went viral in the media. It showed a child standing almost on a pool of water for a bowl of meal, being distributed by a philanthropic organization. This drew response from many. Realizing the impact of Amphan particularly during the hard times of Covid, the community became eager to support the victims in respective ways,

In another picture, we would find so many senior citizens, almost helpless being bound to remain within their homes. Their children are caught out of station equally helpless and spending days of anxiety and nights of worries. They are trying their friends and relatives staying nearby their elderly parents. Here also the community responds in taking care of many of those senior citizens.

Now is its social distancing?

The impact of Covid19 has penetrated deep into our livelihood. It is not just a disease anymore; it is a determinant of how we should figure out ways of living in days to come. In one way, it is potent enough to make us rethink about our psycho-social perspectives and priorities. Well, one expression has evolved to become synonymous with the disease and that is ‘Social Distancing ‘. But do we really need to be socially distant? Or do we need to be physically distant and socially close? The word “Social Distancing” has a contradictory meaning. No man is an island, entire of itself. So, to remain isolated psychologically, is neither possible nor desirable. Social distancing implies a sense of psycho-social distancing, which is not going to help us in anyway. Rather, let us be close to each other in emotion and empathy, yet maintain the physical distance. 

We all know that distance does not matter in relationships. But that is only physical or geographical distance. The moment we try to be socially distant, we would only confine ourselves to categorization of thoughts and feelings. Just for an example, during this entire period of crisis we have seen so many generous efforts being made to help those who are caught in empirical crisis of livelihood.

Now the question is, would it have been possible, if we were socially distant? A teacher is trying to reach his students online maintaining physical distancing but if the teacher is truly socially distant then there would be alienation from the students. The greatest example is the service rendered by the doctors, the healthcare workers, the police, administration and other attached to all forms of public service at this hour. Had they really believed in social distancing then they would have preferred to cushion themselves in the lap of comfort.

We cannot be socially distant or else we lose the sense of fellow-feeling. Then, all forms of discriminatory ideas crop in our mind. We tend to forget our social responsibility. No, that cannot happen; we must respond to the needs of the challenged section of the community.

Let us remain distant from a person for medical awareness, but never should we seclude ourselves from the pain of our neighbors. Remember the words of John F. Kennedy “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich“. Social service is the price that we are supposed to pay for living on this earth. How can we do the service if we are socially distant?  Unfortunately, Social Distancing becomes synonymous with Covid Outbreak. However, the kind of fellow feeling that we are showing is possible because we are socially close. Then what we need is socially close but physically distant proximity. To quote Swami Vivekananda, “They only live who live for others“. This is possible remaining physically distant but mentally compassionate because it is the mind that feels and if that happens, we cannot be socially distant.