HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 4, 2020)

A few years ago, Shama Sikander opened up about battling depression and bipolar disorder. With reports that cases surrounding mental disorders have shot up recently due to social distancing and self-isolation, the actor believes that meditation is the only way out. “Times are very difficult and unimaginable. We were not prepared for it. So, it has hit us harder. One thing that helps me through this is meditation. I’m trying to spread awareness on social media and live interviews as much as I can,” she says.

Sikander says that keeping oneself busy by doing household chores is very important. She elaborates, “Right now, all you need is to live in the moment and use it for your benefit. Do house chores and start being grateful for whatever you’ve as it would make you feel better. We’ve been running behind such big dreams that we’ve forgotten to be normal human beings. We need to learn that again and start enjoying being normal. This situation is trying to teach us that you don’t have to be extraordinary to be happy. ”

The Bypass Road (2019) actor wishes that pollution levels continue to remain under control even after the Coronavirus lockdown is lifted. “The weather is beautiful outside. There is no pollution. Humans have ruined the earth for the longest time. I hope people start being more aware of the nuisance that they’ve been creating — loud music, noise, honking and loud religious noises. We need to stop disturbing others’ peace. I hope that we become really conscious now,” she says.

She adds that social responsibility should be on everyone’s priority list. Sikander is doing her bit, providing food and essential supplies to daily wage earners across Mumbai. “Along with a bunch of my friends, I’m helping a lot of daily wagers in Bandra, Andheri, Virar and places where they are stuck and don’t have supplies. I’ve also teamed up with my friends to help the needy through an NGO and the Mumbai police,” she signs off.