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Politician-singer Babul Supriyo is currently quarantined in Kolkata after contracting COVID for the second time. The first time Babul tested positive was in August 2020, when he lost his beloved mother to the pandemic.
The Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change is surprisingly calm about the COVID re-visit.
"Lots of people I know are getting it a second time." he tells Subhash K Jha.
"There are no exaggerated symptoms, nothing worse than the last time.
"My wife and I both tested positive. We are locked in the same room in a classic reworking of the Hum tum ek kamre mein band ho song from Raj Kapoor's Bobby.
"We are both doing okay."
Babul was in Bengal when the virus got him a second time.
"The first time I got COVID, I was in Delhi.
"This time, I was in Bengal campaigning for the elections.
"Sadly, I won't be able to vote.
"But, looking at the brighter side, I was able to complete all my campaign duties before COVID came visiting again."
Babul is resting it out after the hectic campaigning.
"It's like an enforced holiday.
"We are in our home at the river bank. It is quiet. I've my wife for company.
"Our daughter is happy with her nana and nani (maternal grandparents) in a different part of the house."
Babul is worried about his father's health.
"He is over 80 years old.
"Getting COVID at his age would be worrisome.
"After I lost my mother to COVID, I've become extra-protective about my dad.
"We both miss my mother; she is irreplacable."
Baabul got a surprise call from Asha Bhosle to inquire about his health.
"She spent almost an hour on the phone talking to me and my wife, boosting our morale during these hard times.
"At the end of our conversation, I felt much better.
"I even sang for her."
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com