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，我來到武漢，進入華中師范大學國際關系專業攻讀博士學位。雖然只跟武漢親密接觸了一年半時間，雖然武漢剛生了一場“大病”，但這并不影響我對這座城市深深的愛。我把它視為我的第二故鄉。現在，我回到了印度，卻時刻想念著武漢，那里有我的學業，有我的朋友，有我的生活。

講述人：孟妮（印度留學生）

我來自印度清奈，與中國武漢相距萬里，但在武漢，我卻找到了心靈的歸宿。距離華中師范大學不遠的寶通禪寺，是我常常會去的地方。每當我對生活失去靈感、需要為自己充電的時候，我都會一個人去往這座古寺，靜謐的佛院、蒼翠的古樹，讓我的心霎時重獲寧靜。我也愛武漢的熱鬧，愛它美味的小吃、繁華的商鋪甚至嘈雜的街巷，那濃濃的煙火氣讓我看到武漢人對生命的熱愛。2020年年初，我深沉地愛著的武漢“生病”了。

留守武漢：英雄帶我走出恐懼

原本計劃留在學校寫博士論文的我，得知了因新冠肺炎疫情暴發，所有人都必須在宿舍進行隔離的消息。說實話，一開始我的內心是恐慌、害怕的，當時，我和身邊的人們對這個病毒一無所知。無法出門、必須獨處的現實，也讓我不知所措。

Monika and other volunteers to distribute meals to their schoolmates on campus 孟妮與其他志愿者們一起準備分發盒飯

遠在印度的家人看了各種各樣的新聞報道后，甚至比我還要恐慌。我身處武漢，這讓他們的恐懼和擔憂不斷升級。那時候，每天家人都會打電話給我，電話那邊的哭聲不曾中斷，這讓我的心情糟糕到了極點。就在這個時候，我的老師聯系到我，邀請我加入學校抗疫志愿者團隊。正是這項被當時的我視作額外任務、無法推脫的事情，改變了我，也解救了我。

走出宿舍門，來到學校抗疫最前線，一切都不一樣了。我所在的志愿者團隊每天為同學們分發飯菜，同學們在隔離生活中遇到的困難都能得到志愿者團隊的幫助。

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在新德里隔離營的第16 天

我的志愿者老師——一位華中師范大學退休工作人員，他60 多歲了，卻沒有為了自己的安全和健康留在家中。在武漢疫情最嚴重的時候，他每天堅持奮戰在一線，為學生們送餐、分餐，解決我們宿舍的水電問題，像天使一樣守護著我們這群外國孩子。他這么大年紀了，身上應該也有病痛的困擾，但是我們從來沒有聽他提起過。他很淡定，也很篤定，在他的身上，我看到了責任，看到了關愛，看到了普通人的奮不顧身。我知道，像他一樣奮戰在抗疫前線的中國人還有很多很多。這些不曾退縮的中國人，讓我重新獲得了力量。我拾起了勇氣，積極參與志愿者工作，聆聽那些像我一樣對疫情充滿恐懼的外國同學遇到的問題，為他們排解憂愁，幫助他們戰勝自己。

這個春節無疑是冷清的，沒有漫天的煙花、沒有閃爍的霓虹燈、沒有熱鬧的聚會。夜里，待在宿舍，我常常想，中國是一個久經磨難的國家，在它的歷史上，有過那么多的地震、水災、瘟疫……多大的困難，中國人都挺過來了，甚至無法從他們臉上看到苦難的痕跡，他們就算眼含淚水，口罩后面的表情也一定是堅毅的。我可以與中國人一起戰勝這場災難。

這場沒有硝煙的戰疫就這樣在我眼前展開了。我看到中國對新冠肺炎疫情的驚人處置速度，看到中國人的團結釋放出的無以言表的巨大能量，對此，我的感受用驚訝和欽佩來表達都顯蒼白。中國人常說：“團結就是力量。”這一次，我真的看見了這種力量。在那么短的時間里，全國各地都能向湖北的各個城市提供醫療幫助，那場面讓人感動，也讓人羨慕。這些正是我的國家——印度應該學習的。

回到印度：抗疫生活在繼續

2月27日，我回到了印度，與家人團聚。沒過多久，新冠肺炎病毒就洶洶來襲。3月的前幾周，我們幾乎無法購買到洗手液和口罩等防護用品。在政府協調下，目前，藥店里可以買到相應的物資了。還好我有在武漢抗疫的經歷，家人和朋友在我的勸告下，在印度下令封城之前，早早儲備了可以使用數月的物資。

我又一次經歷了自我隔離。目前，在我的家鄉清奈，人們不能私自離開自己的城市，如果確有原因需要離開，必須向政府申請，獲得批準后方可離開。銷售水果、蔬菜和藥品等物資的店鋪可以營業至下午1 點，在線購買食物的配送時間也只能到下午1 點。人們不被允許走上主街道，這些街道都在警察的密切監控下。而在居民區，人們的出行也是有限制的，大家都在下午1 點前去購買牛奶和食物等必需品。在我家，每天只有一人出去購物，買一些蔬菜和其他生活必需品。

印度的一些地區采用了很有特點的措施，比如在馬哈拉什特拉邦，為監督居家隔離者，確保大家不出門，每個人的手背都會蓋一個“ 居家隔離”字樣的印章。印章使用一種特殊墨水，能維持兩周不褪色。隔離生活在繼續，但學習的腳步不能停下。

Anti-epidemic hand painting by Monika Sethuraman孟妮的抗疫手繪畫

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孟妮和新德里隔離營中的伙伴們

我每天都會閱讀一些與專業相關的書籍和雜志，繼續完成論文。疫情發生后，清華大學和劍橋大學都開放了數據庫，供學生查閱。華中師范大學也通過虛擬VPN，通過大學服務器為學生們提供遠程訪問諸多學術門戶網站的服務。此外，許多智庫和大學也正在通過Zoom應用程序在線舉辦研討會、網絡課程等，我積極地參加這些活動。有時間，我還會瀏覽在線課程。

為了保持健康的體魄，我與表哥組隊鍛煉身體。我們已經把尊巴、普拉提、瑜伽都納入到鍛煉項目之中，此外，我們還特別加入了太極和健美操。目前，我仍然在遠程參與華中師范大學的志愿者活動，比如將學校留學生辦公室的相關通知和信息分享給留學生，同時向辦公室反饋留學生的需求。

4月20日，印度政府放松了封鎖措施，允許恢復部分制造業和農業生產活動。復工企業應滿足社會隔離要求和衛生規范。印度大部分領域仍處于封鎖狀態。商業航班、鐵路運輸、客運都已暫停；網上購物僅限于食品和其他必需品；所有學校、運動場全部關閉。任何違反“封城令”者，將面臨1000 盧比的罰款或6 個月的監禁。印度還將繼續加大檢測力度，增加呼吸機和個人防護設備的庫存，并準備建設專門收治新冠病毒感染者的醫院。

在印度，我和家人也盡己所能地幫助他人。現在，我身邊所有的年輕人都很擔心失業。因為我是從武漢回來的，不少因疫情而焦慮、恐慌的印度朋友向我求助，我就像在學校做志愿者工作時一樣，耐心地安慰他們，與他們分享正確的防疫抗疫常識，幫助他們克服恐懼。

聽武漢的朋友說，武漢已經解封了，他們已經能吃上熱干面了。在遭遇如此重大的沖擊后，中國人的生產、生活能夠在短時間內恢復過來，這種不因毫無預見、前所未有的危機而退縮的精神，足以使其成為世界各國學習的榜樣。

此外，我特別想表達的是，在這場疫情下，世界上沒有任何一個國家能像中國這樣照顧外國留學生，使他們能夠順利得到所需的食物和必需品。留學生群體對此都充滿感恩，感謝中國如此這般幫助我們留學生和所有外國人。

這場危機是真實的，世界各國必須迅速和警醒地應對危機。中國人在這場戰斗中團結奮斗的精神和堅強有力的舉措為世界各國樹立了典范，中國經驗和武漢的復蘇給世界帶來了希望。

（摘自《中國文化報》）