An assignment on “Reflections on the

lockdown”

Course No: 1181

Course Title: English

Submitted To

Hamalna Nizam

Assistant Professor

English Discipline
1.
Khulna University

Submitted By

Md. Towhidul Islam

Student ID: 200913

Electronics and Communication Engineering Discipline,

Khulna University
 Submission Date: 05-08-2020

“REFLECTIONS ON THE LOCKDOWN”

We live in a world full of beautiful things surrounding us – nature, family & friends, our
possessions, our dreams & desires. But nowadays we stop paying gratitude to the almighty. We
are complacent and engrossed in our passion to succeed. Perhaps the time is now with the advent
of an invisible intruder, none other than corona virus. Too small to be seen in our naked eyes yet
more powerful than any weapon. Nations big and small are stumped and bewildered. The
guardians of Bangladesh are perplexed while experts trying to defeat this unwelcome
antagonism. So, our higher authority also imposed a lockdown to overcome this situation like all
other countries.

A lockdown is a requirement for people to stay where they are, a state of isolation or restricted
access instituted as a security and safety measure. March 23 was the date that most of us in
Bangladesh will never forget. The day we start locking ourselves out from our friends, the day
we embark on a strange journey in isolation and the day we see ourselves staying indoors for an
unforeseeable future. Separation is a new norm now.

Lockdown has definitely changed the way I perceive freedom. However, I consider myself as a
chummy and convivial person. Usually during the holidays, I tend to go Rupsha bridge, Shahid
Hadis Park, Divisional Museum, 1971: Genocide Torture Archive & Museum with friends and
family and tempted to have BBQ parties after that. But now I don’t deserve that privilege
actually no one. Every night before falling asleep I have been confronted by an unreal feeling
and many questions in mind. It’s about protecting the adversity, saving lives and praying that for
the return of ordinary days. Yet some people might take it onto their own hands.

On 18th march, when I heard the official announcement of closure of university from the
authority of Khulna University, I felt very excited. I started planning on it like there was no study
left. I watched movies and a lot of you tube videos. I started reading story books and playing
chess again whom I didn’t do for a very long time. But day by day the condition was becoming
worsen and the holiday started getting longer. Everywhere people started talking about the
number of death due to corona.it was getting difficult for me as we have been prevented to
circulate outside of the house. I was suffocating sometimes. My family helped me a lot to
overcome this situation and we all spent a lot of quality time.

I started doing various activities in lockdown some of which are from my hobbies, some of
thinking about my career and some on pressure. Here I am writing down a few things which I
have done before and some I am still doing in quarantine.

**Studying for my career:

I didn’t pay much attention to studying early in the quarantine. Since the online class started, the
assignments and study materials started to come which made me start studying. Besides it is very
important to finish our syllabus before we start 2nd term in September. Being compelled and
thinking about the future, I am spending a big portion of my time everyday studying.

**Spending time on social media:

I am not very much active on social platforms. But quarantine has changed this habit.
Nowadays, I am very active on Facebook and Instagram. All this helps me reach out to my
friends who live far away from me. I get their news from here and contact with them. Besides I
also enjoy late night broadcast on Facebook of La Liga. I also watch informative shows for
COVID update.

**Spending time with family:

In this period of lockdown, my family bonding is also increased. My father is an engineer and
mother a teacher. I have a sister who is a student. During our busy outdoor schedule, we could
not get enough time to talk or spend quality time together. But now the things are changed. We
are enjoying the lockdown together. Even I started learning cooking from my mother. I help my
parents in household chores and spend quality time with my sister which was not the thing
before.

**Watching movies and series for pleasure:

I am a movie maniac. I watched a lot of movies and series in this quarantine. I like to watch
horror thrillers and suspense type of English movies and series. I almost finished all well-known
horror Hollywood films. Nowadays, I am watching Turkish horror movies having English
subtitle. I can’t imagine a single late night without watching a horror film.

**Strengthen the foundation of religious faith:

In the present situation, nothing can be better than gaining the pleasure of Allah to make the
proper use of time. Because through him, we can get rid of these bad times. He alone can save us
from this terrible consequence. That’s why I am saying my prayer regularly. I am also trying to
recite some part from Quran regularly. It is the best time for strengthening the bond with the
almighty.

**Achieving complacency by human service:

I have been associated with many voluntary organizations since before quarantine. As I don’t
have permission to go out of the house, I work as an indoor volunteer. I make list of help
candidates and collect their address. I also raise online funds for them. Later it was delivered
from our organization. I do this thing with pleasure and feel a kind of peace of mind.

**Gardening for pleasure:

Gardening is one of my hobbies and nowadays I am passing a lot of time in my garden. My
garden is situated on the roof of my house. It has colorful flower and beauty enhancing trees
from home and abroad. I loosen the soil with a hoe and water the plants regularly. When flowers
bloom and glow in the garden, my joy knows no bound. I am also trying to plant vegetables as it
is not safe to go outside to do shopping.

**Doing online course offered by coursera for future:

Something should be done rather than spending boring and annoying time at home. So, I focused
to improve my skills to cope up with this competitive world. That’s why I started to do online
courses offered by coursera. I already completed two courses- “Fundamental of Machine
Learning” and “Fundamental of Robotics”. Now I am doing a course on python programming
language. Hopefully it will be fruitful later in my life.

**Playing online games:

I have been fascinated by online video games since I was a child. I played a lot of online games
but among them I like first person shooting games. I played PUBG and CSGO types of games in
my spare time. Nowadays, I am playing FIFA 2020 and the charm of this game is still the same.
No online game can ever beat this. These things are actually making my quarantine enjoyable.

**Reading story books for pleasure:

I am not a bookworm but sometimes I read books for pleasure. I prefer reading horror, thriller
and detective novels. During this quarantine I completed ‘Angle and Demons’ by Dan Brown,
‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters and ‘Chhinnamaster Abhishap’ by Satyajit Ray. Now I am
reading ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho.

**Doing regular exercise and yoga:

Considering the current situation, it is very important to maintain a good health which increases
the immunity system. That’s why I do regular exercise on the roof of my house in the sweet sun
of the morning. I also started doing yoga which brings flexibility in my body. It also increases
my blood circulations, perfects my posture and drains my lymphs and boosts immunity. I am also
trying to keep a balance & healthy diet.

Thus, my days are passing in the midst of good and bad fears. I am always worried about the
victims and that someone I know might be the victim. As we grapple for a path of counter and
adversity, I would like to make a moment and thank him who take for granted. I believe this is
the time no matter our social stature, each of us is equally vulnerable. If I receive my calling
before I get this opportunity let me thanks to almighty who make this moment possible to
express my thoughts. Hopefully he will remove this anxiety and bring life back to life.