Тoday, my peers and I, who saw our native Uzbekistan only in the garment of beauty, peace and happiness, are witnessing that there can be different situations in this life, despite our desires and resistance. You probably already know what this is about…

Despite the fact that I, like many others, although I drew attention to this, I could not imagine that such situations would arise for my country, my compatriots. Called by scientists “Coronavirus”, it has become a daily concern and fear of all mankind. Unfortunately, Uzbekistan and our dear compatriots are among the countries infected with this disease.

On the day that this disease was discovered in our country, many people were baffled and panicked. As the University students, we were also warned by the Ministry of Higher Education to suspend studies due to two-week quarantine. As our ancestor, the great medical scientist Abu Ali ibn Sina, said: “Panic itself is half the disease. Peace of mind is half health. Patience is the beginning of healing”. It’s true! You see, every word, a proverb that our ancestors uttered help us in this life, like a guiding star! It is also said that there is wisdom in everything, and that Allah has miracles for His servants in everything. Feeling it from the heart, we young people did not consider quarantine days at home as a holiday or leisure but as an opportunity provided to us, a condition created in order to implement our plans, bring new ideas to the world and work on them. Because time is priceless and life is precious. At the same time, my thirst for knowledge, my love of literature, could enchant me with the happiness of reading a book, listening to a book and talking to a book. The time, place, and duration of these magical encounters with the book have not been determined. Although our state, in order to ensure continuing education, introduced distance learning at our University online, teachers occupy a special place, we miss their kindness and advice. In such a situation, I recall the words of the world playwright William Shakespeare: “The book is a great teacher! It introduces you to the secrets of the Universe every minute!” In addition to this, I would like to say: … sometimes it helps you understand the secrets of your own world…

As our esteemed president Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev noted: “These trials are temporary. Of course, thanks to Allah, this will pass. We will overcome these trials with the help of our solidarity, agreement, as they say in Khorezm, Karakalpakstan, with our “unity”, with good words, we will defeat with our will!”

Nazokat Sharipbaeva,

3rd year student of Karakalpak State University,

laureate of the Zulfiya State Prize.