LAHORE:Lockdown as a result of Covid-19 pandemic has brought some positive changes in our cultural and social habits with families, especially youngsters, spending more quality time together in the provincial capital.
As the wise say that there is always a bright side to every dark thing, so is the case with the otherwise the deadly pandemic. Earlier, due to different kinds of economic and academic engagements, it was quite difficult for all the family members spend a week or even a whole day together under one roof. However, now, when the federal and all provincial governments have taken drastic and strict measures to combat this coronavirus, which include imposing a lockdown and closing down all the educational institutions, the young and the old members of the families are spending more time together ,which is blessing in disguise.
As most of the educated families are staying at home to stay safe and to, eventually, keeping others safe as well from this menace, the use of mobile apps, particularly WhatsApp & TikTok is on the top of the chart of young generation’s favorites. The elder members of the family have varied choices to ‘Kill’ the idle time and their interest remains in the latest news and breaking news being shown on the cable networks. Women folk resort to the religious programmes and popular drama serials. The young men and women prefer the WhatsApp chatting and facebook surfing.
Another positive aspect and aftermath of the lockdown remains the popularity of indoor games and learning new crafts and hobbies which including painting, making toys and other small things through the Online ‘Do-It-Yourself ‘programmes. Meanwhile, many parents have suggested and appealed to the federal and provincial governments’ education ministers that due to the long lockdown and closure of the educational institutions, the children education is being affected. Therefore, it is the need of the hour that online classes should be initiated through TV and cable networks and other available sources, so that the students may continue their studies at home during these most difficult times.
Moreover, the parents and a large number of youngsters have also appealed that online short courses may also be introduced by the colleges and universities during this lockdown period.