Orphans in India

Sonali, 14 year old, caretaker to younger siblings. She cooks for them, feeds them, and rocks them to sleep as her mother would.

“My mother kept us safe like an umbrella does, from the heat and rain of life,” said Sonali, holding back tears. “I imagine her being close to me. That’s what keeps me going.”

Sonali and her siblings are among more than 3,000 Indian children who have been orphaned during the pandemic, according to state governments.

They had come to deliver an “orphan pension” to the children, enough money to last for the summer. Bank accounts were opened in their names. The officials dropped off large bags of rice. 

Saucer-eyed, Sonali listened carefully as they rattled off a list of instructions for using her bank account. Her siblings — Jagabalia, 8, and Bhabana, 5 — looked on listlessly, clutching their sister’s blue dress.

By Suhasini Raj, New York Times, July 10, 2021

Ritual - Man Who Jumped into Lake Michigan Nearly Every Day for a Year

 

Friday, June 11, 2021 the New York Times reported on Dan O’Conor who during the Covid-19 Pandemic jumped into Lake Michigan nearly every day for a year. He did it as a release and escape from the uncertainty and strain of the pandemic. People discovered what he was doing through social media where he would post videos of his jumps, and they found it relaxing and inspiring to watch him.

“In times of great stress like the pandemic, rituals can take on a heightened importance. In March 2020, New Yorkers leaned out of apartment windows, clapping for health care workers each night at 7 p.m. sharp. Other people, jittery at home, baked bread daily, scheduled a Zoom call with their families every Sunday, or went for a walk at the same time each evening.

The daily jump was slowly becoming Mr. O’Conor’s own way through the pandemic.” (Julie Bosman, NYT reporter)

In the winter when ice formed on the lake, he brought a shovel to break a hole for himself.  Other people started joining in on the ritual in-person, showing up at the spot at 10:30 am to watch. Sometimes musicians would join him and play some musical accompaniment while he jumped.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/us/lake-michigan-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage