Exclusive: Pooja Bedi tells mid-day.com why she and her fiancé Maneck Contractor chose not to get vaccinated

Pooja Bedi/Pic: Pinkie Makhijani

Pooja Bedi took netizens by surprise as she announced on social media that she has tested positive for COVID-19, and chose to remain unvaccinated. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day.com, Pooja tells us all about her decision and path to recovery.

Why did you choose not to get vaccinated? What were your thoughts behind this decision?
I'm not anti-vaccine. I've taken and also given my kids every tested vaccine from MMR, BCG, Tetanus to HPV etc. The fastest vaccine took seven years to develop. This is too new. There are still some question marks about this COVID vaccine, and then the need for two and now three vaccines. It seems a bottomless cycle of vaccines I don't wish to enter. I don't wish to inject a trial vaccine into my body. 99% of those who were infected, survived prior to vaccine. Statistics remain pretty much similar post vaccination drive. My company Happy Soul is a health and wellness enterprise. I believe in working on my natural immunity through fresh air, fresh food, kadha, exercise and positive thoughts. I'm a huge proponent of homeopathy and Ayurveda as well.

Netizens have been questioning your decision…
Each to their own. Many will turn immediately to modern medical science and that's totally understandable. We have been raised from childhood to immediately turn to doctors. There is a definite role for doctors and science. I too take over the counter pills from time to time, but largely I'm into natural healing methods.

How have you been dealing with COVID and what have been the major challenges?
The cough and weakness is... oh my god! I can see why people call this a monster flu. I'm so fortunate to be in a home with gardens and sunshine and greenery. It's deeply healing. Not many had the privilege of that. So I'm very grateful.

What measures are you taking towards recovery?
Having 17 herbs kadha. It's a phenomenal blend. Fresh fruits, sugarcane juice, coconut water, protein, easy-to-digest food, salt water gargles, steam inhalation, balm on chest.

Any advice for others dealing with COVID?
Caution is good, panic is not. Allow it to run its course. Fill your mind and heart with positive thoughts. Dream. Allow your mind to wander to amazing places that give you a projection of happiness ahead. Allow yourself to heal. Rejuvenate. An enforced time-out just for you to emerge a better, stronger, more focussed positive version of you.

Has the rest of the family, including your kids Alaya and Omar, dad Kabir Bedi and the rest, been vaccinated?
They have all been vaccinated, they have been on my case for a long time to get vaccinated.

Has your fiancé Maneck taken the vaccine?
Nope. Maneck is part of awaken India movement. They are completely anti the vaccine agenda, and it being a tool of discrimination against the unvaccinated. Maneck and his entire family are not vaccinated.

Also Read: Unvaccinated by choice, Pooja Bedi tests positive for Covid-19; fiancé and house-help also infected