Lockdown of services across India
for 21 days was announced suddenly due to fast growing Corona positive cases in
India and it came as shock to all Indian citizens. But there were few who were
really hit hard by this decision of government and they were the migrants
workers spread across country.
The moment they heard this news,
first thing which crept into their mind was to head back to their homes reason
all of sudden they were rendered jobless and didn’t had the money sustain
through the lockdown period. As most of them were daily laborers who earn hand
to mouth and this situation was new to them, as this has been implemented for
the first time in the country.
To make matter worse all forms of
commute like railways, buses and even flight services were stalled during the
lockdown period, this added fuel to the fire of the plight of migrant workers. They
don’t even have money to pay rent for the month and are not sure how long will
it take for them get employed again? Equipped will these problem in hand they
decided to march towards their home town irrespective of the distance.
NDTV was first one to draw the
attention of the nation towards the plight of migrant workers, as it’s not an
easy task to walk hundreds of kilometer, that too without food and water. Some
even has kids with them and few were just months old, which made the journey
cumbersome but it didn’t deter the spirits of the laborers.
The moment this news was aired by
NDTV, nation came together to help the people and they tweeted about it in
social media a lot. Thanks to the joint effort of NDTV and the people of India,
several state governments came forward to the respite of these people. Now
buses have been arranged for all them to ply them back to their hometown and
they have been provided with food and water at shelter homes where they are
eagerly waiting for their buses.
I read a lot in media that WHY
are these workers going back to their home town rather they can stay back in
which ever state they are currently as they are risking their life along the
ones in their villages or cities.
The answer is these people are
worried about their future as they have no means of livelihood to survive in
cities now and they are not sure how long with this situation continues to
prevail and have no one to rely upon during this crisis. Though state
government is trying everything possible to comfort these laborers and their
family but in this panic situation all they want is to be at home with their
loved ones. It’s more of an emotional calling of this workforce which is
forcing them to go back home at any cost.
The most important question which
is being missed by people is “Who will feed these people on the 22nd
day” ie the day when PAN India lockdown ceases. Can someone ANSWER this
question, I doubt. These workers are actually thinking about their life after
the lockdown period, to which none of have an answer.
So let’s not judge them and
respect their feeling.
NDTV once again you did a
commendable job, you were the flag bearer of this story which is now being
covered by all leading news channels, print media and the political circle,
which led to quick resolution of the issue.
NDTV, hats off to your team and their
unique story coverage in the country
