From Houseparty app, online ludo, to playing tambola across the street – lockdown has made people go back to their hobbies

• From the viral video of people playing tambola across the street to people going back to their hobbies, there’s a new trend – Quarantine & Chill.
• People are playing Ludo online while an app called Houseparty has taken over which helps people host a party – again, online.
• In the moments of despair, Indians are finding small ways to keep their sanity intact.

A video, reportedly from Delhi, has gone viral. Members of an entire colony played tambola or Housie or Bingo together, while adhering to the principles of lockdown.

Imagine this. Seated on balconies with their families, an announcement from the mike in the balcony across the street says, “two fat ladies 88” and right then someone shouts back “Bingo!”.

This wouldn’t have been an everyday scenario in the busy hustle and bustle of the Delhi life. It is only possible because people forced to stay indoors as a part of the 21-day lockdown issued by the Modi government. They are now finding creative ways to spend their time.

The video, of course, caught the attention of the regular WhatsApp video sharer and industrial tycoon – Anand Mahindra. He declared – this is way more fun than singing from the balconies.


But that’s not it.

In Bengaluru, stuck at home IT professional Ankita Mishra has gone back to an old childhood favourite – doodling. A social person, Mishra used to find herself doing a lot of outdoor activities like badminton, gymming and somewhere she had forgotten her love for art. “I’m now doodling so much more than I had in childhood as well,” she says with a laugh.

While the introverts are enjoying this time, extroverts are going back to the times they could travel.

Sanya Bhatia, a working professional, has started putting together a scrapbook of all her travel photos.

“In this hour of global crises, I am leaving no opportunity to encash every little thing that I ever craved for. A little more sleep, a little more family time, a little more Netflix & Chill and above all, the time to maintain a Travel journal. It is beautiful how I can now put together moments from my traverse and re-live in those million memories that truly liberates my soul,” she said.

Even corporates that have given their employees work from home understand that they need to take care of their mental health while stuck at home – Uber is holding online yoga sessions for its employees!

Meanwhile, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, are flooded with people posting pictures of home workouts, online Ludo games with friends and more. A new app called Houseparty has taken over which helps people host a party – online. And all of it contributes to the latest trend – Quarantine & Chill.

As for me, I’m discovering a great joy of cooking. A hobby-cum-necessity just to survive!

See Also:
Coronavirus cases in India