I’ll Always Remember the Warmth from Wuhan

Iam from Chennai,India,thousands of miles away from Wuhan.But it is in Wuhan that I found my soul.The Baotong Temple,not far from Central China Normal University,is a place I frequent.Whenever I lose motivation and need to recharge myself,I would visit the ancient temple by myself.The peaceful environment where the ancient Buddhist temple is surrounded by green trees helps me find inner peace.I also love the liveliness of Wuhan,the delicious snacks,bustling shops,and even the noisy streets and lanes,from which I can feel Wuhan people’s love for life.Unfortunately,at the beginning of 2020,my beloved Wuhan fell ill.

Stay in Wuhan: A hero helped me overcome fear

Narrator:In 2018,I came to Wuhan for my doctorate in International Relations at Central China Normal University.Despite the fact that I have only lived in Wuhan for a year and a half,and Wuhan has just gone through a serious epidemic,I have deep love for the city.I regard it as my second home.Now,I have returned to India,but I always think of Wuhan.I lived there,studied there and made friends there.

I planned to stay on campus for my doctoral thesis.But I was informed that because of the COVID-19 outbreak,everyone had to stay in the dormitory.To be honest,at first,I was scared.At that time,we knew nothing about the virus.The reality of not being able to go out and having to be alone made me panic.

After watching the news reports,my family members in India were more frightened than me.They were worried about me because I was in the epicenter.They called me every day in tears,which made me quite depressed.My teacher then contacted me and invited me to join the university’s anti-epidemic volunteers.At first I only took the volunteering work as a task assigned by my teacher that I was not supposed to turn down,but later it turned out that this experience not only changed me but even saved me.

My life has changed the moment I stepped out of the dormitory room and worked at the frontline.My volunteer team distributed meals to students every day,and helped out those students with difficulties during their quarantine.My volunteer teacher,a retired staff member of Central China Normal University in his sixties,gave up his chance to stay safe at home.When Wuhan was in the most difficult times,he insisted on fighting on the front line every day,delivering meals to students,and solving water and electricity problems in our dormitory.He was like a hero protecting us.Actually he was no longer young and suffering from several health problems,but we never heard him complaining.He was very calm and determined.I saw responsibility,caring,and perseverance in him.I knew that there were many Chinese who are fighting on the frontline like him.These people who had never backed down encouraged me to engage in the volunteering and help other international students overcome their fear.

2018年，我来到武汉，进入华中师范大学国际关系专业攻读博士学位。虽然只跟武汉亲密接触了一年半时间，虽然武汉刚生了一场“大病”，但这并不影响我对这座城市深深的爱。我把它视为我的第二故乡。现在，我回到了印度，却时刻想念着武汉，那里有我的学业，有我的朋友，有我的生活。

讲述人：孟妮（印度留学生）

我来自印度清奈，与中国武汉相距万里，但在武汉，我却找到了心灵的归宿。距离华中师范大学不远的宝通禅寺，是我常常会去的地方。每当我对生活失去灵感、需要为自己充电的时候，我都会一个人去往这座古寺，静谧的佛院、苍翠的古树，让我的心霎时重获宁静。我也爱武汉的热闹，爱它美味的小吃、繁华的商铺甚至嘈杂的街巷，那浓浓的烟火气让我看到武汉人对生命的热爱。2020年年初，我深沉地爱着的武汉“生病”了。

留守武汉：英雄带我走出恐惧

原本计划留在学校写博士论文的我，得知了因新冠肺炎疫情暴发，所有人都必须在宿舍进行隔离的消息。说实话，一开始我的内心是恐慌、害怕的，当时，我和身边的人们对这个病毒一无所知。无法出门、必须独处的现实，也让我不知所措。

Monika and other volunteers to distribute meals to their schoolmates on campus 孟妮与其他志愿者们一起准备分发盒饭

远在印度的家人看了各种各样的新闻报道后，甚至比我还要恐慌。我身处武汉，这让他们的恐惧和担忧不断升级。那时候，每天家人都会打电话给我，电话那边的哭声不曾中断，这让我的心情糟糕到了极点。就在这个时候，我的老师联系到我，邀请我加入学校抗疫志愿者团队。正是这项被当时的我视作额外任务、无法推脱的事情，改变了我，也解救了我。

走出宿舍门，来到学校抗疫最前线，一切都不一样了。我所在的志愿者团队每天为同学们分发饭菜，同学们在隔离生活中遇到的困难都能得到志愿者团队的帮助。

This Spring Festival was eerily quiet.There were no fireworks,no flashing neon lights,and no parties.At night,staying in the dormitory,I couldn’t help thinking that China is a country that has suffered a lot.In its history,there have been so many earthquakes,floods,and plagues.Despite all the difficulties and misery,the Chinese people have survived.Even if their eyes are filled with tears,they still stay strong and resilient.I can overcome this disaster together with the Chinese people.

This battle without smoke started in front of my eyes.I saw the amazing speed of China’s response to the epidemic,and the tremendous resilience presented by the whole nation.The Chinese often say: “Unity is power.” Now I saw this power.In such a short period,medical assistance was brought into cities in Hubei from all over China.This is admirable and is exactly what India should learn from.

Back to India: Battle against the epidemic continues

On February 27,I returned to India to be reunited with my family.It didn’t take long for the new coronavirus to strike India.In the first few weeks of March,protective items such as hand sanitizers and masks were in short supply.With timely intervention from the Government,the materials are made available at pharmacies now.Fortunately,I had experience fighting against the epidemic in Wuhan.I have already reminded my family and friends to buy materials that could be used for several months before India ordered the lockdown of the country.

On April 20,the Indian government eased the restriction measures and resumed some manufacturing and agricultural production activities.But those businesses were required to follow social distancing and hygienic regulations.Most areas in India are still in lockdown.Commercial flights,rail transportation,and passenger transportation have been suspended; online shopping is limited to food and other necessities; all schools and sports fields are closed.Anyone who violates the order will face a fine of 1,000 rupees or six months in prison.India will also continue to increase testing,the inventory of ventilators and personal protective equipment,and prepare to build hospitals dedicated to the treatment of people infected with the new coronavirus.

Day 16 in the New Delhi quarantine center在新德里隔离营的第16 天

我的志愿者老师——一位华中师范大学退休工作人员，他60 多岁了，却没有为了自己的安全和健康留在家中。在武汉疫情最严重的时候，他每天坚持奋战在一线，为学生们送餐、分餐，解决我们宿舍的水电问题，像天使一样守护着我们这群外国孩子。他这么大年纪了，身上应该也有病痛的困扰，但是我们从来没有听他提起过。他很淡定，也很笃定，在他的身上，我看到了责任，看到了关爱，看到了普通人的奋不顾身。我知道，像他一样奋战在抗疫前线的中国人还有很多很多。这些不曾退缩的中国人，让我重新获得了力量。我拾起了勇气，积极参与志愿者工作，聆听那些像我一样对疫情充满恐惧的外国同学遇到的问题，为他们排解忧愁，帮助他们战胜自己。

这个春节无疑是冷清的，没有漫天的烟花、没有闪烁的霓虹灯、没有热闹的聚会。夜里，待在宿舍，我常常想，中国是一个久经磨难的国家，在它的历史上，有过那么多的地震、水灾、瘟疫……多大的困难，中国人都挺过来了，甚至无法从他们脸上看到苦难的痕迹，他们就算眼含泪水，口罩后面的表情也一定是坚毅的。我可以与中国人一起战胜这场灾难。

这场没有硝烟的战疫就这样在我眼前展开了。我看到中国对新冠肺炎疫情的惊人处置速度，看到中国人的团结释放出的无以言表的巨大能量，对此，我的感受用惊讶和钦佩来表达都显苍白。中国人常说：“团结就是力量。”这一次，我真的看见了这种力量。在那么短的时间里，全国各地都能向湖北的各个城市提供医疗帮助，那场面让人感动，也让人羡慕。这些正是我的国家——印度应该学习的。

回到印度：抗疫生活在继续

2月27日，我回到了印度，与家人团聚。没过多久，新冠肺炎病毒就汹汹来袭。3月的前几周，我们几乎无法购买到洗手液和口罩等防护用品。在政府协调下，目前，药店里可以买到相应的物资了。还好我有在武汉抗疫的经历，家人和朋友在我的劝告下，在印度下令封城之前，早早储备了可以使用数月的物资。

我又一次经历了自我隔离。目前，在我的家乡清奈，人们不能私自离开自己的城市，如果确有原因需要离开，必须向政府申请，获得批准后方可离开。销售水果、蔬菜和药品等物资的店铺可以营业至下午1 点，在线购买食物的配送时间也只能到下午1 点。人们不被允许走上主街道，这些街道都在警察的密切监控下。而在居民区，人们的出行也是有限制的，大家都在下午1 点前去购买牛奶和食物等必需品。在我家，每天只有一人出去购物，买一些蔬菜和其他生活必需品。

印度的一些地区采用了很有特点的措施，比如在马哈拉什特拉邦，为监督居家隔离者，确保大家不出门，每个人的手背都会盖一个“ 居家隔离”字样的印章。印章使用一种特殊墨水，能维持两周不褪色。隔离生活在继续，但学习的脚步不能停下。

Anti-epidemic hand painting by Monika Sethuraman孟妮的抗疫手绘画

In India,my family and I also do our best to help others.At present,young people are afraid of losing their jobs.Because I come back from Wuhan,many Indian friends who are anxious and panicked turn to me for help.I listen to them just like what I did when I was a volunteer at CCNU.I comfort them,and share with them information of epidemic prevention to help them overcome their fear.

Friends in Wuhan say that Wuhan has lifted its outbound traffic restrictions and they can eat hot dry noodles again.China is able to resume its production and life in such a short period of time after being hit hard by the virus.It sets an example for the world in dealing with unexpected and unprecedented crises.

Also,I particularly want to emphasize that facing this epidemic,no country in the world can take care of foreign students like China,and China ensured that food and essentials were provided to international students.The international student community is very grateful for this kindness.

This crisis is real,and all countries in the world must respond quickly and vigilantly.The Chinese people’s unity and hard work in this battle have set an example for all countries in the world.The Chinese experience and the recovery of Wuhan have brought hope to the world.

(FromChina Culture Daily)

Monika and her friends in the New Delhi quarantine center孟妮和新德里隔离营中的伙伴们

我每天都会阅读一些与专业相关的书籍和杂志，继续完成论文。疫情发生后，清华大学和剑桥大学都开放了数据库，供学生查阅。华中师范大学也通过虚拟VPN，通过大学服务器为学生们提供远程访问诸多学术门户网站的服务。此外，许多智库和大学也正在通过Zoom应用程序在线举办研讨会、网络课程等，我积极地参加这些活动。有时间，我还会浏览在线课程。

为了保持健康的体魄，我与表哥组队锻炼身体。我们已经把尊巴、普拉提、瑜伽都纳入到锻炼项目之中，此外，我们还特别加入了太极和健美操。目前，我仍然在远程参与华中师范大学的志愿者活动，比如将学校留学生办公室的相关通知和信息分享给留学生，同时向办公室反馈留学生的需求。

4月20日，印度政府放松了封锁措施，允许恢复部分制造业和农业生产活动。复工企业应满足社会隔离要求和卫生规范。印度大部分领域仍处于封锁状态。商业航班、铁路运输、客运都已暂停；网上购物仅限于食品和其他必需品；所有学校、运动场全部关闭。任何违反“封城令”者，将面临1000 卢比的罚款或6 个月的监禁。印度还将继续加大检测力度，增加呼吸机和个人防护设备的库存，并准备建设专门收治新冠病毒感染者的医院。

在印度，我和家人也尽己所能地帮助他人。现在，我身边所有的年轻人都很担心失业。因为我是从武汉回来的，不少因疫情而焦虑、恐慌的印度朋友向我求助，我就像在学校做志愿者工作时一样，耐心地安慰他们，与他们分享正确的防疫抗疫常识，帮助他们克服恐惧。

听武汉的朋友说，武汉已经解封了，他们已经能吃上热干面了。在遭遇如此重大的冲击后，中国人的生产、生活能够在短时间内恢复过来，这种不因毫无预见、前所未有的危机而退缩的精神，足以使其成为世界各国学习的榜样。

此外，我特别想表达的是，在这场疫情下，世界上没有任何一个国家能像中国这样照顾外国留学生，使他们能够顺利得到所需的食物和必需品。留学生群体对此都充满感恩，感谢中国如此这般帮助我们留学生和所有外国人。

这场危机是真实的，世界各国必须迅速和警醒地应对危机。中国人在这场战斗中团结奋斗的精神和坚强有力的举措为世界各国树立了典范，中国经验和武汉的复苏给世界带来了希望。

（摘自《中国文化报》）