The prolonged nationwide lockdown, to curb the spread of novel coronavirus, has taught Snehasis Das many lessons.
“I have understood the value of life and time during this lockdown period… I am now very selective with my telephone calls,” says the Odia filmmaker.
More importantly, Snehasis has realised who are the most important people in his life. Also, that life is not a race.
“Staying at home for so long has given me the opportunity to closely observe how much work female members of the family put in physically, mentally and emotionally to set up and maintain a ‘sweet’ home,” admits Snehasis.
“I have realised that my responsibility is not just earning money but beyond that,” he adds.
“No eating out, no ordering food online… we are eating homemade healthy food these days which can be a lesson for future generations as well,” observes Snehasis.
He is happy to be spending quality time with his family, especially his son with whom he plays carrom.
“Life has became more constructive and organised now… There is more creativity in my writing I believe. I do take medicine for blood pressure and cholesterol, but I’m feeling more healthy theses days,” remarks Snehasis.
He is not a tradition filmmaker but has a wide body of work on a varied range of subjects like child nutrition, climate change, water harvesting, neo-natal deaths etc, doesn’t watch television much.
“I completely avoid social media because there is a lot of yellow journalism there. I keep myself updated my by following some selected news sources,” says Snehasis.
He is associated with an organisation called ASRAY in Jatni, his home town. “It’s mainly to reach out to police personnel and municipality cleaning staff and provide them with water to show our gratitude for their unconditional service in this hot and humid weather during this critical time,” says Snehasis, saluting the members of ASRAY.