As the world continues to combat the evil of COVID-19, there are some now who conclude that we as humanity will have to live with COVID the way we have been living with cancer.

We can continue to combat it and pray on the medical developments that may provide the ultimate weapon – but till then, it is about living in the new normal.

Nevertheless, in times of crisis, there are always who find ways to adapt and there are those who take on the challenges and help make a difference. There are numerous heroic stories. Whilst we hear about the disproportionate threat of COVID on South Asians, let us not forget how South Asians also play a vital role in combating the virus.

There are high numbers of medical and health workers who are working in the hospitals and Indian companies who are working with British companies in developing a vaccine

In the midst of all this, there are some inspiring stories.

A restaurant in Newtownabbey in Northern Ireland put out a post stating:

The post read: “If anyone in Newtownabbey is not working/not getting a paycheque and runs out of food or necessities or times are just tough, please don’t let yourself or your kids go to bed with an empty stomach.

“Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to send me a private message. The Spice Merchant will be more than happy to help as much as we are able to. Just send me your address and a small message such as ‘Dinner for four people’ or ‘No stationery for kids.’

Reported in the Newtownabbey Times, it is so good to see such generosity and It offers a feel-good factor.

In another case of large Indian weddings and COVID restriction, a couple held the first drive-in Wedding and keeping to the social distancing rules. It was a very clever way of keeping all the family members happy without breaking the Government Guidelines. Reported in the Times of India,  a Gujarati couple from London, Roma Popat and Vinay Patel both have large families and needed to find a way of accommodation everyone without breaking the 15 people maximum rule at weddings.

They managed to hold a COVID compliant wedding at Braxted Park in Chelmsford, Essex by holding a cinema drive in style wedding where people could see the wedding on a big screen in a field in their cars. The popcorn was probably substituted with Papadums. What a clever idea and it will not be surprising if other events follow suit!

Now for an official note, a new Indian saree shop is opening in London with the help of the Department of International Development. Nalli Silks, which has previously gifted to King George V and Queen Elizabeth II have decided to open in London as COVID-19 travel restrictions will impact on the wedding busy wedding season.

The investment of approximately £300,000 will include a 2,500 square feet store in Wembley with up to 8 members of staff.

Minister for Investment Gerry Grimstone said:

I am delighted to welcome Nalli Silk to the vibrant cadre of many Indian companies present in the UK, which support jobs in this country across all sectors.

As both the Indian and UK economies recover from the impact of Covid-19, increasing investment in each other’s markets is more important than ever.

So this is the new normal – as long as the COVID menage continues, we will have to find new ways to adapt and try to live a normal life as much as we can.