This is that time of the year when the statue of ‘Our Lady’ moves from house to house in Catholic homes in the state. Last year, the visit of the statue of Mother Mary in Catholic homes, popularly known as ‘Saibin’, was not allowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year as a result of the decline in the positivity rate of the infection, it is understood that several parishes have allowed the faithful to take the state of ‘Our Lady’ from house to house. However, we are still not over the hill as far as the pandemic is concerned. Hence it is absolutely necessary to follow all the pandemic related protocols during the occasion. Besides following the regular SOPs like wearing of the mask, social distancing and sanitization, it seems necessary to follow added SOPs during the ‘Saibin’. Usually, people visit their neighbouring homes during the visit of the statue of Mother Mary. This year it seems necessary to restrict the occasion to only family members. It needs to be more of family devotion. Neighbours need to be instructed not to visit other Catholic homes during the occasion. Only one person needs to be allowed to bring the statue of ‘Our Lady’ from the neighbour’s house. Everything possible needs to be done in order to prevent the start of a third wave of the pandemic which could prove disastrous.
