Life in times of lockdown
As the government orders different restrictions, including curfew, to shield citizens from contracting and transmitting Covid-19, Hindustan Times speaks to people from varied backgrounds to understand how they have been affected by the curbs
‘My preparation for civil services has taken a hit’
The lockdown has majorly affected my studies. I am prepar- ing for IAS exam which is likely to take place on May 31, provided that the situation improves and lockdown is lifted. Before the restrictions were imposed throughout the country, I was studying in a library in Hisar from 8am to 6pm daily, but now my preparation schedule is ruined. I was going to appear in a test series for the competitive exam, which won’t be possible now. I had also enrolled for doubt- clearing sessions at an institute in Chandigarh, but now I am con- fined to my room. I am not sure if the exam will be held on time.
‘Watching wheat procurement season go by’
I am seeing arhtiyas (commis- sione agents) stuck inside their homes for the first time in my life, especially when the wheat harvesting season is around the corner. Due to the lockdown, I could not go to my shop to make arrangements for the approaching procurement sea- son. Since most of the farmers don’t have accounts for online transfer of money, the situation is more troublesome. If the lockdown is extended any further than April 14, it will deal a major blow to our earnings, which largely depend on the wheat procurement season.
‘I am worried over plight of daily wagers’
It’s been over a week since the curfew was imposed in the state. I have observed that the unorganised sector was the worst-affected. Daily wagers are facing problems due to lack of resources. I have come across many porters, construction workers and street vendors in Shimla who have had no work since the lockdown. Some of them told me that they had come here a month ago to work at construction sites, but due to untimely rainfall and snow, they could barely work for 9 days. This was followed by the lockdown and none of them has earned a penny in the last 10 days. They are now struggling to buy ration and essentials.