When coronavirus had just hit India back in March, people were extremely anxious and fearful of contracting it. Now, we are pretty well-versed in all the necessary precautions one needs to take if stepping out. But back when singer Kanika Kapoor had returned from London in March, there was no lockdown or security measures in place. The baby doll singer was mercilessly trolled when netizens found out that she had attended two family gatherings after landing in Lucknow, without self-quarantining for 14 days. Kanika had tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after.
In a recent interview with a leading tabloid, Kanika opened up about her experience. She started by saying that although she was in the eye of a huge controversy at the beginning of the year, she is now in a calmer place. “(I am) more focused on my work and my family, and I have immersed myself in my new songs. It makes me happy that I can do that and be myself,” she said.
Talking about the controversy in March, she said that back then there were no checks at the airport and no quarantine rules mandated by the government. “I didn’t hide it from the world when I tested positive. My father is a heart patient, and my grandmothers—nani and dadi—are in their 90s. We had two family gatherings, attended by close family friends, some of whom happened to be influential people. I didn’t host any of these gatherings. Everyone was fearful wondering if they had come in contact with me and if they, too, had the disease. Over 300 people were tested twice in a week, and none of them tested positive, including the staff.”
She also added that the doctors did their best to treat her when she was in the hospital. “I was in hospital for 16 days. The doctors and the medical staff did the best that they could at that time with the limited knowledge of the virus then,” she said.
Opening up about the controversy that followed her positive diagnosis, she said that she was really shaken by the number of hateful comments she got. Recalling the horrific experience she said, “It was traumatic for my family and my kids, who were in London. I didn’t get to see them for four months. They were getting calls and messages from people on social media, and some of them were downright nasty, even telling them to kill themselves. My parents were getting calls from people all over. They all dealt with the pressure.”
She said the entire experience really affected her, and it took her a long time to feel better. “Today, I am strong, but I was shaken by what I saw around me. Wrong stories and the eventual hatred hurt me a lot. It left me confused. I didn’t react for a long time because I didn’t know what all I should be reacting to. I knew that no one would listen to what I had to say,” she added.
She also said that her COVID-19 experience has made her stronger, and she feels like she is a better version of herself today.
We’re glad Kanika is doing better, and it’s always important to remember that no matter what the situation, trolling and bullying someone is never the solution. As the world battles an unprecedented health crisis, the least we can do is be kinder to each other.
Featured Image: Instagram
