Look how expats, corporate bosses are spending Sunday lockdown Janta Curfew    

NEW DELHI: March 22 is a Big Sunday in the context of India when the country has announced to observe self-imposed curfew as it has been named as Janta Curfew by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing everyone to remain confined within their homes the whole day to check the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.

However, it will also be interesting to see how people especially the expats and business community from Asian countries like Japan, South Korea, China where COVID-19 has struck big time are spending their Sunday in India.

Determined to make the Janata Curfew call a success, and help arrest the spread of COVID-19, the people have different but interesting ways and means for spending their Sunday when they are not moving out of their homes from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm for 14 hours.

Terming the opportunity as ‘blessing in disguise’ some decided to spend quality time with their families including parents, pursue their hobbies like reading books, watch interesting TV shows, video calling their friends and relatives in India or abroad, clearing the messy files or cupboards, planning for future and even sleeping in peace.

Interestingly, some of those who have birthdays on Sunday are maintaining social distance and inviting relatives to the party online through Facetime only.

Atul Puri, Partner, ShineWing India owns another reason also to confine himself and family on Sunday when they celebrate his birthday on March 22, the Janata Curfew day. The company has already allowed almost all of its 145 employees at Gurugram office work-from-home for about a week now, and it will continue till March 31.

“Hardly five of our employees from accounts and administration go to the office and the rest of them operate from home. Though the efficiency has come down but saving lives is more important as the business can wait. Today, my wife and children are going to celebrate my birthday at home. However, we are also observing social distancing as all our relatives who live in Gurugram would participate online in the party through ‘facetime’ only. It’s a good initiative by the Indian government asking corporates and other establishments to shut their services for some time to kill the deadly coronavirus,” added Puri of ShineWing India, the Indian arm of China-based ShineWing International, a global network of independent accounting and consulting firms, and has many Chinenes nationals as employees in Gurugram office.

For Kenji Sugino, Secretary-General, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India (JCCII) it’s a Shanti (peace) Day when he would prefer to relax at home in Delhi.

“We have postponed ”Waku Waku kai” the monthly golf competition scheduled for today Sunday to follow the government guidelines (of observing Janata curfew). Despite that, I would spend a good time like reading spiritual enlightening books, organizing documents, watching movies, etc. which I cannot do in my usual life because of busy schedules. Be Shanthi!,” said Sugno who is former Director (Sales & Marketing), All Nippon Airways (ANA), and belongs to Fukuoka, Japan. He currently lives in Delhi.

On Sunday, almost entire Delhi NCR as well as India is in lockdown situation as offices, factories, malls, gyms, restaurants, schools, colleges, and other institutions are closed. As per the Gurugram administration order, these public establishments are going to be closed further till March 31 and assembly of not more than 20 people are allowed in Gurugram.

Euy Don Park, Chairman, Presidential Korean Associations in India has his own plan for staying at home.

“I am going to keep a tab on news about Indian government policy on visa, travel allowance, curfew, business operation, office closing and so on. This is the time I would like to fully utilize for reading books, searching YouTube, studying the stock market, and writing and messaging to friends in Korea,” said Park who is also the managing director of Seela Infratech Pvt Limited with an office in Cyber City.

Rajesh Ahuja, Founder and TenWork India who goes to his hometown in Karnal from Gurugram once in 1-2 months left for Karnal on Saturday to be with his parents.

“I preferred to utilize this opportunity to spend time with my parents and me along with my wife and children left for Karnal. Observing 14-hour self-imposed Janta curfew is a good idea mooted by PM Narendra Modi as it will help check the spread of COVID-19 by breaking its chain reaction. According to health experts, the lifespan of coronavirus is short, not more than 12-14 hours. Even though this shutdown would adversely affect the overall economic equations as well as business prospects in short term but human lives are more important given the precarious situation,” added Ahuja who is into refurbished office fixtures solutions business in Gurugram.

Jungmin Rho, Executive Director, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is going to spend time with his wife and son this Sunday.

“I am a foreigner. The rest of my family (relatives) are in Korea. I am calling them and sending messages to them.  Most of the Koreans also know about Indian ‘Janata Curfew’. They also asked me the meaning of it and how serious the situation in India. I am spending my time with my family (wife and son) here. We are talking about the future of the situation also,” added Jungmin Rho. The trading arm of the government of the Republic of Korea, KOTRA’s West Asia pacific headquarter is in Cyber City, Gurugram.

Kim Kum Pyoung, Director, Korean Cultural Center in India (KCCI), New Delhi is hopeful of the overall situation.

He said, “Not everything is bad news. We will recall this time after Corona how we reacted constructively and collectively towards an unclear future.”

Atul Parekh, an Indian corporate honcho from Gujarat who lived in Japan for 40 years is spending time learning about digital online technology and also networking with the people on Sunday during Janata curfew.

“We have given leave to employees to work from home until the end of March as a safety precaution. I am taking the opportunity to learn more about technology to be more enabled to work online and networking with people on zoom and video chats. I am also taking the time to catch up on reading and planning for future challenges and evolving innovations that will arise out of business necessities,” said Parekh, represents Itochu India, an Indian arm of Japanese logistics giant Itochu Corporation.

And not to forget, people have plans to ring bells or clap at 5.00 pm at their balconies to offer their gratitude to health workers, security personnel or media persons who cannot remain at their homes for professional reasons and are helping in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Sung Chang Hong, Managing Director, Nong Hyup Bank  NH bank said I am trying to self-quarantine with my family for this weekend. At 5 p.m at the balcony, we will also thank people who make great efforts for preventing the COVID-19 from spreading. In addition, I started to manage the office flexible, and let the employees work from home in turns till 31 March. God bless you and India”