‘WHAT CAN HARM YOU, CAN HARM THEM TOO’
Bollywood celebs urge people to spare a thought for househelps
It’s the little things that matter, even in these times of ‘social distancing’ as coronavirus has turned into a pandemic. Just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested citizens to keep their workers’ interest in mind, celebrities are also steering their fans’ and social media followers’ attention towards the well-being of househelps and staff members.
Actor Sonakshi Sinha wrote on Instagram: “...while you’re taking every precaution for your safety and your family’s safety, let’s not forget about the safety of our househelp, home and office staff. Their lives are at equal or more risk with this outbreak too.”
Requesting everyone to educate their helpers about the virus, and offer sanitisers and masks to them and their families “as they won’t get it or may be won’t have sufficient funds for it”, Sinha further wrote, “Please don’t send out your househelp, drivers... to run errands on your behalf or send them in crowded places... What can harm you can harm them too.”
Expressing his concern, filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane tweeted: “What’s the most effective way to explain coronavirus dos and don’ts to househelp? Social distancing is not something they can afford in Bombay.” Singer Arjun
Kanungo’s suggestion was, “Give them paid leave and explain how serious this is. That they should stay home and leave the house only when absolutely required.”
Actor Sayani Gupta, who has given her maid paid leave, tells us, “My maid’s husband is a rickshaw driver. When I asked her to tell him to stay at home, her concern was the pay that will suffer. People who are more privileged should help others as far as they can.”
While actor Kubbra Sait has asked her househelp to live with her instead of travelling to and fro, filmmaker Onir has asked his help to stay home and take care of her own family.
Actor Amit Sadh feels that “Better than posting poems, workouts, food recipes, and showing how amazing our lives are... [if you can] please take care of people around you, people working with you or for you ... and especially the daily wagers.” He adds, “It’d be good to assure them that their job is safe and they’d continue to receive their salary even in extended period of lockdown”.