An Expat In India

Dear readers, What strange times these are indeed! India presumably has VERY few cases of the CV reported--only 1300 cases in the entire country!-- and yet the rules of the lock down are very strict. All flights going in and out of the country are cancelled, at least until April 15th. Ditto for domestic flights. No buses, trains or other forms of public transportation are running. Everything is now closed except for medical facilities, pharmacies and grocery stores, and people are presumably only allowed to go to these places at certain times. Police are everywhere on the streets enforcing this. Initially, I found this disturbing: is India turning into a police state? But then Vinod, a friend here in the ashram, showed me several clips (search them on Google or Youtube!) of the "enforcement" and "punishments" involved if people disobey: For the men, they get a lashing with a stick! For the women, they have to do squats ...kid you not...and children? Som

Once again, my friends, I am using voice activation on my phone so forgive any errors in advance. Also it is too hard to edit on the tiny LCD screen, so please do your best and forgive me! The big news is that today, Sunday March 22nd, the whole of India is purportedly coming to a screeching halt. That is to say, all forms of transportation are to cease and desist for the entire day, from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and Indians are told not to go out at all for any reason. Not only is this a big move to up-level the social isolation bit toward prevention of the spread of Corona virus, but it is also a move to heighten awareness. WHO has applauded India for its aggressive, highly proactive moves to prevent the spread of the virus in India. it's borders are closed and no international flights are going in or out. Visas are suspended. Of course it is especially critical in the second largest population of the world, close to 1 and 1/2 billion people. All living in close proximity by

FAVORITE SIGNS AND MISSPELLINGS: Read fine print: "kitty parties" for all your favorite cats! And who wants to eat in a "garage"!??! yikes!   Did you ring? yes, I repaired and then rang! or...something! For those who live in the States?!?!

Working backward: Images and adventures in Haridwar,  Feb. 27-29 The colorful train station by night! Images of Shiva everywhere in Haridwar...this one also at the train station. Crowds of people at the famous evening Arati that happens every night on the banks of the Ganges Priests wave huge trays of massive, burning oil in tribute to the sacred Ganga A group  of fellow participants seated by the river...lovely family! all part of the picturesque scene there great multitudes come for this arati.... must have been thousands of people...quite the crush! I was the only white face I saw there Phenomenal meal served to me at my Airbnb in Haridwar by Seema, my lovely host. Since I have been SO deprived of veggies, I asked for a good medley and happily, she complied Lovely sunset shot of the sacred Ganges Had a great meditation in Ananda Mayee Ma's Mahasamadhi Shrine Mother and pigs share garbage bounty...yech!