Covid now seems like something that happened a long time ago. People have forgotten the immense impact it had on people, their health and their livelihoods. I remember how badly shut downs affected everyone. People also have forgotten the good social lessons taught during that period such as washing hands, wearing a mask when unwell and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Anyway on the Sunday I visited the Meenakshi Amman Temple, my driver from the hotel was David Raj.
The extent of his knowledge and the way he spoke gave me the impression that he was well educated. He was well mannered, well dressed, had a smile and spoke with a gentle voice. As we were driving, he pointed out to me the all important sites in Madurai and gave me its historical context. He knew Madurai and its history well.
On the day I was checking out, we spoke briefly in the lobby and it was then that I found out that he used to be an entrepreneur and owned a thriving tour business. He owned several cars and hired drivers to ferry guests to tourist spots.
When Covid stuck in 2020, tourism in Madurai collapsed. With no income, he lost his cars to the finance companies as he couldn’t continue paying the monthly repayments. He and his family had no income during that period.
When the hotel was about to open last year they advertised for drivers. He applied for the job as he needed an income to support his family.
He looked calm and smiling as he spoke. Despite having lost everything he had built up over the years and transported from being the owner of a business employing drivers to now becoming a driver himself, he was sanguine.
I truly admire people like him who pick themselves up, give off their best and smile despite any adversity.
daily musings 
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