Ground heroes aid essential cargo

Prerna Gauba Sibbal

Keeping the world running amid the Covid-19 pandemic are the front line warriors such as medical professionals, who are fighting this battle equipped with a constant supply of PPE kits, masks and gloves. And hundreds of people working at the airports have devoted themselves to smoothen the process of import, transport and distribution of such products.

At Delhi airport, there are almost 400 people working round the clock to avoid glitches in the supply. As of May 11, they have transported 862.39 tons of essential cargo with the help of 506 flights as part of the government’s Lifeline Udan initiative.

Convincing their families has been the biggest challenge for most. “I haven’t met my mother for 20 days, and for their safety, I prefer staying away. She has been worried for me but understands the importance. I always wanted to serve the nation and this is my chance,” says Anshul Gupta, project head (medical supplies) and cargo manager.

Work from home has become the new norm amid the lockdown, but Tara Sharma Saluja, 43, is totally at ease with this new way of life. After all, the actorturned-chat show host has been working out of her home for several years now. She tells us, “My husband, who has a media company, and I have a lot of work that’s already digital. For me as a creator of content for my show, I have reinvented myself in order to work from home. It happened when I became a mother 10 years ago.” Saluja, however, is quick to add that “there are some things that have changed dramatically like not being able to go out and shoot, and all those things.”

Not letting the situation bog her down, she says, “I’m a big optimist. I try and look at the positives. And the best thing we

Sanskiriti Yadav, assistant manager, cargo, says that she is staying in Delhi, away from her Lucknow-based parents, but is disheartened at the behaviour of her neighbours. “I walk four kilometers daily to reach my workplace. My neighbours look at me in disgust and ask me to stay at home for their safety, but what I’m doing is for the safety of millions,” adds Yadav. “To keep my team motivated, as some haven’t met their families for weeks, we have meetings and sessions every morning. I tell can do right now is adhere to the lockdown rules.”

Besides her digital show, Saluja has also been keeping busy doing something that keeps her calm. “I’ve been teaching yoga online twice a week — every Tuesday and Thursday. I’ve been practising yoga for 20 years. Such things help in maintaining routine and structure,” she shares.

A mother of two boys, Zen (10) and Kai (8), Saluja is surprised by the way her kids have been handling the situation. “I’m amazed that they’ve not really complained. I ask them regularly on my show about how they’re doing, and they say they’re fine. They keep in touch with their friends and are happy. Of course, occasionally they miss their football practice and matches, but they’re positive and that helps all of us, too,” she concludes. them to perform yoga and have immunity boosters. They are informed on a daily basis about precautions to be taken during this time,” explains Gupta.

Tara Sharma Saluja

Ground staff at Delhi airport ensure smooth supply of essentials