Limitless boundaries

Getting your chores and errands done virtually is already something quite new for me, but if you had told me that I could even get my backache fixed virtually, I would have probably asked you to have your head examined, but here I am, at home, truly in awe, getting my backache fixed thanks to an online session with my therapist. Dear god! What a time to be alive! How far has technology gone and where was I all this time?

Yes, being a boomer, I had a very distant relationship with technology, with the exception of Microsoft Word, emailing and fiddling with the 'necessary' social media handles. Therefore, I was never properly introduced to the intricacies or the boons of technology.

When I had this unexpected back pain at a particular odd point deep in my shoulder blades, I was moaning about it for four days and calling up my clinic where I go for regular physiotherapy sessions for an appointment. But they were trying to tell me it can only be done virtually.

Now, how do they expect me to opt for a virtual physiotherapy session when the only virtual thing I know is a WhatsApp call to my son abroad.

An online consultation with my physiotherapist was out of the question. Even when my clinic tried to explain that things will go smoothly, I was thoroughly sceptic. I mean, what's a Google Hangouts? I only know to use Google, that too with limited tutoring on how to search for a particular thing, and I only use it for finding recipes, or spoilers for thrillers. Anyway, those are stories for another time.

For now, I had to install this virtual 'hang out' and attempt to book a session. However, the ache intensified as the Covid-19 lockdown was extended, and I could no longer wait for the 'analogue' option, and just had to take the plunge. The appointment was set, I installed the app; a task I did on my own, and of which, I am extremely proud of, and after loads of "I can't hear or see," I was in a full-blown physiotherapy session. I almost felt like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. The ache subsided and I booked another slot, again very proud of my technological feat.

However, when my therapist was prescribing some hot presses, I suddenly saw his cute seven-year-old run from behind, calling 'papa' and kiss him from behind, and I totally melted. This beautiful father-daughter interaction made me realise nothing tops a human touch.

Having said that, I must reiterate that while the entire communities are trapped at home during the Covid -19 pandemic, take time to let your loved ones know you love them, virtually, on this first day of the Bangla Calendar.

Read our stories on fashion, as we plead with our readers to go with deshi wears and patronise our deshi fashion houses, as this Baishakh has been just terrible for them. Remember, it's #deshifirst #deshialways.

Shubho Nababarsha!

Photo: Collected