The Scars and Silver Linings of the Pandemic
It’s been five years since the world came to a sudden halt—empty streets, masked faces, and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty marked the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we look back, we invited four personalities from different walks of life to reflect on how that time changed them. From the moments that still linger to the lessons they carry forward, their stories reveal both the scars left behind and the unexpected silver linings.
Falguni Lakahani Adams – An Emmy Award-winning producer, accomplished writer, and Executive Producer.
Sheetal Sheth – She is an acclaimed actress, producer, author, voice-over artist and also an activist. Her latest book, ‘Anjali Can’ was just released and available wherever books are sold.
Lama Aria Drolma – A former fashion model and now an ordained Buddhist monk and teacher and meditation expert.
Neerja Patel – The founder of Neerja PR whose expertise in marketing and PR have made a significant impact on the global stage.
What’s a moment or memory that stands out to you from the early days of the pandemic?
Falguni Lakhani Adams : People monetizing and making fancy masks…and not remembering what people’s smiles looked like so having to read their eye language.
Sheetal Sheth : I’ll never forget the silence and the fear. Suddenly, everything stopped. That silence held a strange mix of peace and panic. It made everything feel both close and far away.
Lama Aria Drolma : One moment that stands out vividly from the early days of the pandemic was the profound stillness that settled over everything. I remember stepping outside and noticing the absence of
cars, planes, and the usual hum of daily life. It felt as though the world had collectively paused.
That global pause reminded me how interconnected we truly are, and how compassion and presence can flourish even in the most uncertain times.
Neerja Patel : The early days were a bit scary when we didn’t know extacly what was happening, we believed anything that was told to us and just lived in fear. What really stood out was the time I got to spend with my husband and my kids. Just having them all around felt so fulfilling. We cooked together, went for walks, played cards, and really bonded. It was loud in the house, but quite in the streets.
How did COVID-19 impact your personal or professional life?
Falguni Lakhani Adams : I personally loved homeschooling my kids, connecting with them and having community time. Professionally it was a great time for me. I for some reason (not mad at it) got loaded with job offers and landed at Vice TV.
Sheetal Sheth : Everything shifted overnight. Professionally, events were canceled and projects were put on hold. Personally, I was still in the middle of cancer treatment, trying to navigate a world that suddenly felt even more uncertain. Information was changing by the hour, and even doctors didn’t have all the answers. It was disorienting—not knowing who or what to trust—while still trying to protect myself and my family in the midst of so many unknowns.
Lama Aria Drolma : As a monastic living in a monastery, the rhythm of my daily life is already centered around
solitude, contemplation, and spiritual practice. In that sense, the external stillness brought on by
the pandemic mirrored the inner stillness we cultivate through meditation. However, COVID-19
still had a profound impact. Many of my teaching engagements, retreats, and in-person
meditation sessions were either canceled or transitioned online. While this created some initial
challenges, it also became an opportunity to connect with a broader, global community virtually.
Neerja Patel : Personally, I enjoyed the time, though I understand how fortunate I am to say that given we all came out healthy after it. Professionally, given I’m in PR and events, my work took a huge hit. Events were not happening, and it felt wrong to promote anything at that time given what the world was going through. I never expected that when we came out on the other side of the pandemic, there would be such a huge desire for live events again, but the scene came back larger than life.
What’s something you lost—or gained—that still stays with you?
Falguni Lakhani Adams : I lost loved ones but as cliche as it sounds I gained perspective and groundedness.
Sheetal Sheth : I lost a sense of certainty, and honestly, I think that’s a good thing. I gained a deeper trust in my ability to adapt—and a sharper radar for what’s real and what’s noise. During that time, I also grew closer to my kids. We created rhythms and rituals that continue to enrich our lives. Things slowed down enough for me to truly see them, and I learned so much about myself along the way. The silver lining is the precious family time we shared.
Lama Aria Drolma : One thing I lost during the pandemic was the ability to be physically present with those seeking spiritual guidance. The warmth of shared presence in a meditation hall or during a retreat cannot be fully replicated online.
Neerja Patel : I learned how valuable human connection is. The world found a way via Zoom and Facetime to stay in touch, play games, sing songs and even attend weddings and funerals. That desire was something I never realized was there until we didn’t have it and it made me realize how much we take having a community for granted.
Has your outlook on health, connection, or community changed since then?
Falguni Lakhani Adams : In some ways I miss that time. People were hanging and connecting at a slower more deliberate pace.
Sheetal Sheth : Completely. I no longer take connection for granted—whether it’s a hug, a school drop-off, or a moment of eye contact. And health is something I actively protect, not just something I hope to have. I also saw how deeply interconnected we are—our well-being is tied to one another. That’s not just poetic—it’s public health.
Lama Aria Drolma : Yes, the experience of the pandemic deeply reaffirmed the Buddhist understanding of interdependence. The sense of community, or sangha, became even more precious during that time.
It reminded me that true connection arises not just from proximity, but from presence, kindness, and shared purpose. The pandemic deepened my commitment to live in service of others, and to uphold the Dharma as a refuge in times of uncertainty.
Neerja Patel : Yes definitely. All of the above.
What do you think we still need to learn from the pandemic?
Falguni Lakhani Adams : We could really use the tools we gained then today. We as a community really need to band together to get through the economic twists and turns.
Sheetal Sheth : Care is not optional. We’ve consistently underestimated the power of collective responsibility, and the pandemic revealed both who we are and who we could be if we truly centered care in our policies, schools, and homes. It also exposed how technology, which once seemed like a tool for connection, has spiraled out of control, often distancing us from the very things that matter most. We need to reframe what ‘normal’ means and focus on real-life connections, grounding ourselves in what truly matters. I hope we remember this lesson, especially when it comes to our kids. They were watching. They are still watching. And they deserve better.
Lama Aria Drolma : From a Buddhist perspective, it reminded us of the truth of impermanence, that all conditioned phenomena are subject to change, and nothing is guaranteed. We also need to deepen our understanding of dukkha—the inherent suffering or unsatisfactoriness of worldly existence—and recognize that true peace cannot be found in external circumstances alone.
Neerja Patel : It’s important we learn how to care about each other, value our own physical and mental health and how we treat other people. During that pandemic, it didn’t matter where you lived, who you were, or what you did, we were all going through the same thing.
