Author Dr Prashant Nayak shared his experience as an individual and as a COVID Warrior during the first wave of pandemic
Book “The First Wave” is a Gripping Tale of Resilience and Hope Amidst the Chaos of Pandemic
Raipur: The launch event for Dr. Prashant Nayak’s book, “The First Wave: A Gripping Tale of Resilience and Hope Amidst the Pandemic Chaos,” took place at Nukkad Cafe, Rajendra Nagar, Raipur, on April 26, 2024. The event was attended by a diverse group of people from various walks of life, all eager to hear Dr. Nayak’s compelling narrative about his experiences as a front-line COVID warrior during the first wave of the pandemic in India.On the occasion, renowned litterateur Shri Meer Ali Meer also graced the program and shared his valuable thoughts.
Dr. Nayak, an Associate Professor at AIIMS, Raipur, and a renowned fertility consultant and gynecologist, was joined by an esteemed panel of experts. Psychologist Nitin Srivastav, Social Worker Ravindra Kshatri, Teacher Sakshi Kahar, and Representative of an International NGO Mrs Munazza Sabeen shared their personal experiences and insights as front-line COVID warriors. The panel discussion was a poignant reminder of the challenges and sacrifices made by those on the front lines, highlighting the resilience and dedication that defined the pandemic response.
During the event, attendees had the opportunity to listen to readings from “The First Wave” and engage in meaningful discussions about the emotional and physical toll of the pandemic. The book provides a unique perspective on the early days of the crisis, illustrating how the spirit of resilience and hope can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
The panelists shared their stories, reflecting on their roles during the pandemic. Dr. Nayak’s narration focused on the healthcare sector’s struggles, while Mr. Srivastav addressed the psychological impact on both patients and healthcare workers. He expressed his views on how the panic during the first wave of pandemic affected people mentally and psychologically. Ms. Sakshi Kahar spoke about the efforts of educators in adapting to new teaching methods, and how the teachers had to take up the role of guides, friends and counsellors for their students during the pandemic, and Ms. Munazza Sabeen highlighted the challenges faced by the teachers, students and staff of their NGO Christel House during the pandemic, and how they accomplished the task of minimizing the learning gap for underprivileged children during the crisis. Social Worker and Founder of Sumeet Foundation, Shri Ravindra Kshatri spoke in detail about how people came together in the times of crisis to support each other to the best of their capacity. He shared his personal experience of facilitating various essential goods and services for the public, to save lives and bring relief. On the occasion, renowned litterateur Shri Meer Ali Meer also graced the program and shared his valuable thoughts. The program was conducted by Ms Sana Tamkeen.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees could interact with the panelists and Dr. Nayak. Many praised the event for its authenticity and for bringing together voices from different backgrounds to discuss a shared experience that affected everyone.
Copies of “The First Wave” were available for purchase, and attendees had the chance to get their copies signed by Dr. Nayak. The event was a resounding success, fostering a sense of community and encouraging further discussions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The universal amazon link of the book The first wave: mybook.to/thefirstwave .
