Dr. Richa Negi is currently someone who is enjoying the best of two worlds at the moment. One is her role as a doctor in the medical field while the other is her role as an influencer. Recently, during Covid-19 lockdown, her video where she was dancing to Nora Fatehi’s Garmi song in a PPE kit went viral and since then, there’s no looking back for her. Check out our exclusive conversation with her here –

First things first, dancing to a hit track like Garmi and that too in a PPE kit is no easy task. The video has travelled all over the internet like wildfire. When you shot the video, did you think the response will be this big?

Firstly, thank you so much for all the love & respect. As I have said in multiple interviews, it wasn’t at all preplanned. Like literally 15 mins before it was shot, I was still discussing song options with my roomie. I thought it would hit like 200-300k which was what my max viewed video had. But I was so overwhelmed when I got such an amazing response.

You are a frontline warrior yourself who’s visiting the hospital daily to take care of patients. Despite so much of risk around you, what gives you the strength and confidence to be so cool and calm?

I really like working. Not just in the hospital, but wherever I get to. Even if I am given the smallest assignment, I love doing it with sincerity. I had voluntarily gone for this job because I wanted to experience what it was like working in a Covid dedicated hospital and also helping people in need. It was a total win-win situation. I have always been calm in the face of adversities, not to brag but that’s just how my nature has been and I have always tried to motivate people through my words. This time, I did it through my dance and I’m so glad I was able to reach out to the audience. Feels good.

What has been the role of your family at a crucial time like this when you are going out daily for your duty at a time when everyone is asked to remain indoors? Are they scared or supportive?

At first, they were really scared of letting me go but then they had accepted the fact that it’s our duty and one shouldn’t refrain from doing that. Mom is over precautious because that’s how mothers are, right? But they support every decision I make so it wasn’t going to be different this time around either. So yes, pretty supportive.

The viral video clearly shows that you are a dancer by heart who enjoys every moment of her steps. Did you ever think of taking dancing seriously beyond just a passion and hobby?

I did when I was a kid but then as you mature, you realise you are meant for certain things. Like, even though I enjoy dancing so much, I wouldn’t change my career path for it. So after I completed my MBBS, I decided to do something more about it hence these videos. Best of both worlds you see. (chuckles)

Lastly, where do you see Covid-19 vanishing in India? When can we expect the curve to finally go down and things to hit normalcy once again?

I believe the death rates have gone down significantly. I can’t be sure about the statistics but I am hoping it resolves by the end of this year. We are hoping for the vaccine to come out sooner but with all the clinical trials that have to be done before the launch, it’s quite difficult. Till then, I would just say that be cautious as it can happen to anyone. So follow the protocols. social distancing is a must.