Correct time

Through the past 8 weeks, this is one phrase which has troubled us all. In the morning, irrespective of what the preceding activity was, irrespective of how tired we were, irrespective of where the next destination was, the ‘correct’ time was 7.45. In the afternoon the ‘correct’ time was generally 3.00 and depending upon the largesse being felt, it was at times extended to 3.30. In the mornings, it was a race against time and in the afternoons, it was a struggle with sleep. What am I going to do when this is all over? I have got used to hurriedly having a bath, gulping down breakfast and rushing out to meet the 7.45 deadline. Likewise, the 3.00 correct time has hauled me out everyday into the sweltering heat. Where am I going to get this daily adrenaline fix? But, to be true to myself, I shall be glad when this is all over and I return back to my original serene, languid style of functioning. At this age and after these years of service, the human body and mind does not easily take to such frenzied activity. The various activities that we have gone through require the alertness, fitness and agility of a person in his twenties. But we have gone through most of them, even surpassing expectations. We have endured and pulled each other through on our own. It has been an revelation that training could be conducted from a distance. Barring the morning activity, at no time during the day have we been ‘trained’. Activity has mostly been ‘negative’. All efforts have been centred towards ensuring that we failed. But kudos to the tenacity of this group that we have remained intact.