By Neena Bhandari

Turbulent, terrible, torturous is probably how many would describe Year 2020. It exposed and widened the social, economic and political frailties and fault lines, relegating important environment, development and other health issues to the backburner, and stalled progress made in the key Sustainable Development Goals of education and gender. While timely lockdowns did help in slowing the transmission and spread of the virulent virus, confined isolation made the plight of the vulnerable worse.

2020 began with my annual trip to meet family and friends in India, which included a memorable visit to Amritsar and the Wagah Border. I returned to Sydney via Singapore, a week before the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on March 11^th. On the flight I wore a mask, which I had hurriedly purchased before departing Delhi on a cold, hazy February night.

Subtle signs of what would become the `new normal’ were evident at Changi Airport. The once ever bustling airport was sparse with reduced flights, and fewer travellers all undergoing mandatory temperature screening. I spent the day in the warmth of my cousin’s home. We talked about coronavirus, but little did we know that it would soon bring the world to a standstill. The ease with which we travelled has perhaps changed forever.

When I arrived in Sydney on that hot and humid March day, everything was as usual.  But within 10 days, by 13^th March, Australia had 156 reported COVID-19 cases. The government had announced shutdowns, advising Australians to avoid all non-essential international travel.

Work from home and home schooling became the new norm. The home space had to be transformed to function also as an office, a school, a gym, and a place for entertainment. The multi-dimensional usage came with its set of challenges. As a foreign correspondent and freelance journalist, working from home at odd hours was normal so not much changed on that front.

We missed our travels and in-person interviews, which were replaced by all things virtual. Thanks to advancements in technology, work wasn’t impacted. If anything, there was a steady stream of commissions, which included a feature about doctors with disability. A friend asked me to talk about unconscious bias for a podcast. A two-part story on modern slavery and human trafficking won the NSW Premier’s Multicultural Award for the Best Print Report and another story on Indian asylum seekers was a finalist in the Public Interest Report category.

Like many others, I devoted time to learn and re-skill. Cooking and baking didn’t catch my fancy as people all around rolled out sourdough bread. Innumerable images of cakes, cookies, pickles and jams didn’t stir any guilt as I devoted minimum time to cooking regular meals! Instead, I played with WordPress to relaunch my antiquated website and enrol in the Knight Centre for Journalism courses on Equity and Ethics in Data Journalism, Digital Investigations for Journalists, and Audio Storytelling. We use data in almost all our stories today so it is vital to understand how data is collected, processed and communicated. Every number invariably signifies a human.

Our resilience has been tested, but for me and many others, there have been worse years than 2020. The devastating Australian bushfires of 2019 had taken a toll on communities and native flora and fauna, but we persevered. In an antique oil lamps shop on a quiet street in Braidwood, I met the owner, unfazed by the ashen gloom.

Amidst the darkness, sorrow and tears, there has been light, joy and smiles. We have found time to reconnect and reach out to people we care about. Humans seeking companionship turned to pets. Each morning, as I wake up to the wonderful sounds of the web of life around – our tiny green cheeked conure, Tutu, brings much cheer. In September, for three weeks I followed the two newly hatched Powerful Owl chicks and their parents in Centennial Park.

It has been a year to reflect and be grateful for what we still have. Hope 2021 is kinder to the world.

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