Stay home, stay safe is not an option for them in lockdown
It’s nearly two months since the Covid-19 pandemic made its presence felt, forcing people to adopt and adapt to a new way of life but the challenge has been bigger for the poor. Here are three stories from three states of people whose lives were upended by the same invisible menace.
From Kashmir to Punjab, they were already struggling to get by on the economic margins when the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic robbed them of their only chance to earn from a hard day’s work. As the country heads for a cautious lifting of the lockdown, the poor struggle to find a way to secure the next meal despite the risk. Staying home, to stay safe is not an option for many.
SRINAGAR ONLY FASTING, NO FEASTING THIS RAMZAN
Ramzan in lockdown is unlike any before. With their savings exhausted and source of income drying up, most shikara owners at Srinagar’s Dal Lake are forced to limit their daily intake of food. “I feel guilty but with no savings left, what is the option?” says Umar Zahoor, 28, the eldest of six siblings and the sole breadwinner of the family after his father’s death.
He has now started working as a labourer. “I do any work I get to earn our next meal. Tourism will not get revived here this year as well, even after the lockdown is lifted. Why live on false hope?” he says, adding that the situation is worse than the shutdown in Kashmir after the revocation of the special status on August 5 last year.
“There is no money now. Whatever I had earned, has been spent. We are sustaining on rice which the government provided and my meagre earnings,” Zahoor adds. - ASHIQ HUSSAIN
AMRITSAR STREET FOOD VENDOR TURNS LABOURER
Before the lockdown, Dheeraj Kumar, 34, was a kulcha vendor and earned Rs 500 a day from his stall in front of Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar. Today, the sole breadwinner of the family is forced to work as a labourer.
“Initially, I tried selling vegetables but gave up because there were hardly any buyers. Now, I step out of the house every morning with the hope of finding some work, any work. On some days, I’m lucky. For instance, today I got the work of loading bags of paddy seeds at Hall Bazaar. I was paid Rs 100 for three hours,” he said.
His family comprises his wife, mother and a younger brother. “I am the only earning member since my father died a year ago.”The family has had to compromise on the meals. “We used to buy a litre of milk a day, but now we can afford on half a litre,” says Dheeraj Kumar. The amount he earns from labour can only buy the family of four essential grocery items. – SURJIT SINGH
KURUKSHETRA WITH DARGAH CLOSED, FLORIST AT GOD’S MERCY
Before the lockdown, Bunty Saini, 27, used to earn about Rs 400 a day by selling marigold garlands outside the Ahmad Ajmer Ali Dargah near the old bus stand in Kurukshetra city. He would supplement his income by decorating vehicles during the wedding season.
The Covid-19 lockdown since March led to the closing down of religious places and Bunty was rendered jobless. “Each marigold garland would get me Rs 15. Ab kuch nahi bacha. Ab to Bhagwan ka sahara hai (Nothing is left. Now we are at God’s mercy),” says Bunty, looking towards the dargah with folded hands.
He was the sole breadwinner of the family of six, including his elderly parents. “I could not earn anything in the past one month so my father, who is above 60 and used to sell garlands till three years ago, has started lifting bags of wheat to make ends meet. My younger brother and sister are still studying so we have no choice but to venture out to find work daily,” he says.
The family is banking on government support since it has a below poverty line (BPL) card. “We got our share of wheat and my mother got Rs 500 in her bank account, but is it enough to feed a family of six?” -NEERAJ MOHAN