Now, more receptive to life situations

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 4

One has to draw a line between loneliness and solitude, says Arvind Gupta, Centre Director, Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) in Ludhiana. Unlike many who feel that the lockdown is the period when time hangs heavy, it is keeping Gupta more occupied than usual. In the physical sense the INIFD as an institute is closed, but ironically these are very busy days for the faculty and more so for the management of which Gupta is a part. “During the lockdown, academic discussions among the faculty have increased. Routines have changed. Instead of traditional classes, online classes for students are in full swing,” he says.

The lockdown has increased Gupta’s workload. On some days he is virtually working 18 hours a day. Unwinding happens only in bits and pieces. A bit of stretching and some light exercises keep him fit and active.

Lockdown has had its impact on the mindscape too – making him more receptive and sensitive to life situations. Suddenly literature is making more sense, feels Gupta. “The changes that Covid-19 pandemic has triggered in its wake compel us to introspect and reflect on what we have done, the things we missed out, the things we intended to do but could not,” he says, adding, that during this time he has been reconnecting with his old friends with whom he had lost touch long ago.