Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 11, 2020)

Her jovial nature and big smile are famous, but actor Mona Singh admits that like many others, she, too, has felt low during the lockdown. “We are all in the same boat, though everyone’s struggle is different. People are anxious about the future and the pandemic, which adds to the worries and affects their mental health. The worst place to be in right now is your head, as there are many negative thoughts. Luckily, I discuss issues that bother me with my family as it is important to address issues that are playing on your mind,” says Singh, adding that there were days when she and her sister only spoke about the negative and “depressing” news around Coronavirus, and that took a toll on her mental health.

The Yeh Meri Family actor says the thing that helped to cope was talking about her mental health issues and also distract her mind. She admits that she is “very scared in the current scenario” but the way out is to keep busy, either with housework or office work or taking up a hobby. “Idle mind leads to trouble as most of our fears and insecurities are in the mind. I am painting pots and tables, and learning about technology, video calls, etc.,” states Singh.

Sharing how praying helps calm her mind, the actor says, “Initially, we didn’t know how serious this issue was and then to be in a lockdown situation, you had not heard of... All this made me anxious and my discipline went out of the window. I wasn’t able to sleep on time and would binge on shows till 3am, which isn’t healthy. In fact, when the Cyclone Nisarga was expected to hit Mumbai, I couldn’t sleep all night and was praying. I don’t know about others, but these days I am praying for the world and people around me. It helps as there is a lot to be thankful for and be positive about.”

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; June 5, 2020)

Actor-couple Sumeet Vyas and Ekta Kaul became parents of a baby boy on Wednesday. An excited Sumeet told us, “I had decided long ago that if we have a son, we will call him Ved. In fact, Ved Vyas is what I plan to call him.”

Due to COVID-19, the couple took extra precautions during pregnancy. In fact, they even avoided going to a big hospital for the delivery. The actor said, “My aunt has a private maternity nursing home and we knew that she will take extra care. When not busy with surgeries, she even sent us home-cooked food.”

While the couple had taken precautions against Coronavirus, June 3 was also when cyclone Nisarga was predicted to strike Mumbai. Sharing an interesting anecdote, Sumeet said, “When I was born in Jodhpur, the city got flooded after a spell of drought. When Ved entered our lives, he almost brought a toofan along, but, thankfully, we are all good and safe.”
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Sumeet Vyas on welcoming son with Ekta Kaul on Wed
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 5, 2020)

On June 3, Sumeet Vyas and Ekta Kaul welcomed their first child. “It’s a boy. Shall be called VED. Mamma and Daddy are acting cliché... smothering the child every few minutes...” the parents announced. Sumeet explains why they shared the news a day later, saying, “It had been a long day and we needed rest. I didn’t want too much buzzing around my baby.”

The couple had previously expressed their desire to have their baby born in the maternity hospital of Sumeet’s aunt and that’s where the delivery took place. “We couldn’t trust a multi-facility hospital at a time like this (referring to the Coronavirus pandemic). It was a normal delivery and both Ekta and Ved are doing fine,” assures Sumeet. The only disappointment is that because of the lockdown, Ekta’s family is in Jammu and Sumeet’s is stuck at home. “Once we return home, we’ll see if they can be brought over to meet the baby, even if only for an hour.”

The proud papa describes fatherhood as an “unmatched feeling”. “You do all those clichéd things that you once laughed at. Humans are so predictable,” he chortles.

Narrating the story behind his son’s name, Sumeet says, “Long ago, one of our relatives was having a child and we were discussing names, when Ved came up and stayed with me. I decided if I have a boy, I’ll name him Ved. Since we come from the line of Ved Vyas, it makes sense,” he relays, hopeful to be back home in the next three days.