Pandemic and Prayers

Pandemic and PrayersThe world is struggling since December 2019 Pandemic due to Covid_19 or Corona virus. There is no vaccine which has been invented so far.This Virus is creating havoc all over the World. Countries across all continents have been affected.The Virus which was initially active in thickly populated areas has now affected people from all walks of life. First it was turn of fishermen localities and slums like Dharavi.Then many health workers including Doctors were affected. Then many celebrities were affected and spread of infection is still on.Since there is no proper vaccine available then only way one can avoid this infection is by wearing masks, using sanitizers, washing hands and by maintaining social distance.However it has been found that in spite of following all this people are still getting infected by Corona Virus.Since there is no remedy then what person should do? The only option is to pray to God. Only God can save us.Everyone has right to pray. Prayers when done in group are more effective.There are different faiths but then God is ONE.Group of people pray at Temples, Mosques, Churches, Sinogogues, Gurudwaras etc.Today there are restrictions on offering prayers in such places. In fact many such places are closed banning entry to devotees.Governments in many countries are saying that such prayers should be held at home. Hindus to perform aarti at home, Muslims to offer Namaz at home.We hope that with so many people praying in their respective places it would become collective prayer and finally God will be kind on us and Corona will go.Pandemic has put restriction on so many things in our daily life. We are forced into lockdown and cannot venture out of our homes. Shops and Malls are not open. Picture hall has become history. We do not know when we shall be in position to go there.Similarly there is restriction on many religious celebrations. Idul-fitr is celebrated by greeting each other by hug. Corona virus has put restriction on this as well as required social distance cannot be maintained. In churches when people meet they do shake hand and now same is not possible. Prayers in Hindu Temple are sung together. Now that masks are compulsory in public place it has become difficult.The annual religious rituals like Amaranth Yatra, Jagannath Yatra, and Pandharpur Yatra etc. have been cancelled. Doors of religious places have been locked. Passersby have to pray from outside gate.There are festivals like Ganesh Utsav which are celebrated on grand scale with participation of public at large.Government has put lot of restrictions on this festival with sole objective of not to spread this Pandemic further. This is acceptable but then this festival should not be cancelled all together. One can still pray by taking adequate care of masks and social distance.I would urge everyone to increase their Prayers so that this Pandemic goes away.Datt Udas