Monthly Archives: May 2020

While the sudden outbreak of Corona has made the world suffer in many ways, Odisha is no exception to this. The pandemic, in particular, has made the lower strata of the society the most vulnerable. The poor people’s food security is completely in haywire.

In Koraput district, Kailash Patra, a 30 years young Community Resource Person, while delivering the relief materials (food items and other essential commodities) to the poor and distressed families of Kumbharguda village in Kundra block, jointly supported by CYSD & Ford Foundation, an old woman with tearful eyes and relief packet in hand told him,

“I have received 3 months’ advance pension amount at a time supported by the Government under old age pension scheme, but I am finding no way to purchase the food items from the local market or haat for survival. But, because of you, I could receive the much needed immediate support at my door step.  God bless you, my son.”

In mid of April when CYSD decided to distribute some survival kits to the most vulnerable and socio-economically poor families in 2 gram panchayats of Kundra block where there exist 20 hamlets including revenue villages with 8000 households, it was too difficult and challenging to identify about 100 such poor families with limited physical presence of staff members.

At this critical situation, Kailash from Jantaput village of Massigaon Panchayat of Kundra block came forward in close association with the concerned two Panchayat functionaries, Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and ASHA members and worked hard in finalizing the beneficiaries list, venue and date of distribution in the presence of PRI members.

“Since the outbreak of Corona, with the support and guidance of CYSD team members, I have been closely involved in the community and organizing number of awareness campaigns and sensitizing people through demonstration to practice  handwash frequently, maintain social (physical) distancing in public places, like PDS distribution centre, water fetching points, MGNREGA work sites, community kitchen centres, farm fields, etc and staying at home more often, catching up with friends virtually instead of in person”, says proud Kaliash.

Kailash, having matriculation education, was associated with CYSD as an education volunteer initially for 3 years. And later since 2005 he has been involved as the Community Resource Person (CRP) in the intervention of Integrated Farming System (IFS) programme of the organization.

The heroic efforts put by hundreds of community resource persons, like Kailash in fighting Corona outbreak at the ground is praiseworthy.

“Living in outside city and getting a job there can fetch handful of money but not relationship. A big full stop to go outside, no more to Vijawada, never, but will continue to stay in the village engaging myself in sustainable agricultural activities” strongly reacts Rajendra, a 16 years old migrant returnee of Pandraguda village in Kadamguda Gram Panchayat of Khairput Block, Malkanagiri

Rajendra Muduli, being a sponsored child under Child Development Programme of CYSD (Case No.323) was in regular touch. He lives with his mother Basanti, two younger brothers and a sister. His father passed way a few years back, who was the only bread earner for the family. Being the elder one, Rajendra was forced to shoulder the family responsibility along with the widow mother. Despite the hardship, he studied up to Matriculation (10^th Standard). Out of his little understanding, he poised courage to take the responsibility of his father leaving his study career halfway and got prepared to feed the five-member family at the cost of his tender physical labour on daily basis. He was quite happy being engaged in household agricultural work along with causal daily wage earning.

In last February, his maternal uncle ‘Guru’ insisted him to find a job outside considering the poor financial condition of the family. Both of them proceeded to Vijawada city in Andhra Pradesh, close to Malkanagir in order to work as daily labourer in a private construction group.  But, as because he was minor, the Programme Staff constantly counselled and reminded him to come back to village and get trained under DDUGKY to become a skilled person; and  he has enough time ahead to work outside and lead a dignified life style.

By the day end, earning Rs. 500/- was a big amount which triggered Rajendra’s dream more colourful and realistic to become a good husband if marries a village girl soon after. In addition, overtime work can also pave scope for accumulating extra income. “The lockdown situation emerged out of COVID-19 outbreak nation-wide smashed all of my dreams and pulled me into a great disaster. The subsequent closedown of construction site work announcement by the Company made me gobsmacked. I could only realise, I may survive and support the family if goes back to village”, shared Rajendra hopelessly. Being a tribal boy, the simple thinking provoked him time and again to go back village and be safe in family. His uncle was bound to agree with his proposal leaving any other better options around. Since the public transports were completely banned by that time, finally they planned to return Malkangiri anyway by walk.  However, on their way back home, they were caught by the police at Motu check gate, the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh border place  and kept them under 14 days quarantine. Afterward, he reached in the village after facing several problems during the journey. Now, he is at home with his family members and happy being in the village. He keeps busy in collecting Kendu Leaves on daily wage basis and alongside looking after the onion and green gram cultivation in his farm land.

Rajendra compares, it is worth livening in village, leading a healthy and peaceful life style with dignity, while getting engaged in agricultural work in a sustainable manner.

Following the lockdown declared by the Government on 22^nd March owing to Corona pandemic, the movements of tourists/visitors were gradually restricted. The owners of hotel industries shuttered their normal business in Kochi of Kerala state. “I was working there in a hotel namely, Donut Factory Hotel as the Waiter. My inquisitiveness for returning the native place in Puri district of Odisha to see my family members went high”, says an 18 years youth Sk. Asraf Uddin who is camped at the Temporary Medical Centre (TMC) in Palanka Panchayat, his own village.

Asraf’s father Jainul Uddin is a petty fish vendor at Brahmagiri daily bazar. Elder brother being an auto-rickshaw chauffeur used to carry the children to school and earns a minimal monthly remuneration. The yearly livelihoods of six-member family – parents, a brother and two sisters somehow gets managed. Last year, with much difficulty, before FANI, her elder sister could get marry. “The economic plight prompted me to supplement the family’s income in a dignified manner and destiny fetched him to join in a hotel at Palampally Nagar of Kochi, Kerala, only 3 months back travelling all the way from Odisha”, shared Asraf to CYSD’s field volunteer placed in Brahmagiri.

Following the nationwide lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic, the Odisha Government declared that the migrant workers those staying in other states may register their name, if they want to return Odisha during this critical situation. Asraf registered his name online (Regd No – G5153141). Knowing the fact that one train would start transporting the migrant workers from Kochi to Odisha on 2^nd May, immediately he booked a ticket and boarded that particular train. On 4^th May early morning, the train arrived at Berhampur and along with other co-passengers, he was picked up by the Odisha Government Bus to Krupajal Engineering College at Bhubaneswar for Coronavirus infection testing. After medical test, a vehicle of Brahmagiri Block Office took him to the Quarantine Centre set up at his own Gram Panchayat, Palank on the same day and reached there around 12.00 noon.

“Today is the 6^th day of Asraf Uddin’s quarantine. He will continue to stay till 21 days at this quarantine centre. He is availing all facilities provided by the Govt. Two more returnees namely, Sukant Swain, an ex-serviceman who was stuck while returning home just after taking retirement from service; and Sk Ramjan Khadim from Hyderabad have also joined the Centre. A total of 90 migrant returnees have registered to stay at this centre. We are taking all possible precautionary measures for the safety of all inmates. Work distributions have also been made among the staff members”, said Trilochan Behera, the Sarapancha and TMC In-charge of Palank Gram Panchayat.

“Being in Palank, my own village, I am now in comfort zone, eliminating the pains I have born to cover up the long journey from Kochi to Palank and respiting here happily.  No more I will spend sleepless nights here. After medical testing, I have no fear of Corona attack. I am quite happy with the arrangements made at the center and will adhere the prescribed Covid-19 rules for the greater safety and security of my community too”, said sensible young boy, Asraf.

This disciplined behaviour of Asraf Uddin is indeed laudable which will show the right path to other migrant returnees quarantined at the TMC.

Migrants are less familiar in their new environment in which they temporarily live. They are prone to various social, psychological and emotional trauma in such situations, emanating from fear of neglect by the local community and concerns about wellbeing and safety of their families waiting in their native places.

During the outbreak of COVID-19, the restrictions imposed on routine activities as part of social distancing norms to prevent the spread of the disease, scores of migrant workers tend to move back to their native places. During the prevailing pandemic, many migrant workers used all possible means to reach their destinations. Many of them are however stuck at borders, including district, state and at national border areas. Most of them are dependent on daily wages for their living, and in times of such distress need sympathy and understanding of the society. Immediate concerns faced by such migrant workers relate to food, shelter, health care, fear of getting infected or spreading the infection, loss of wages, concerns about the family and anxiety. Sometimes, they also face harassment and negative reactions of the local community. All this calls for strong social protection.

Understanding the issues of the migrant returnees, the Government have set up temporary shelters i.e. quarantine centres / temporary medical centres in all Panchayats across for 21 days safe stay.

While trying to reach to their native places, the migrant returnees are being filled with anxieties and fears stemming from various concerns, and are in need of psycho-social counselling support. Therefore, they need to be treated with dignity, respect, empathy and compassion; their concerns and problems should be listened and understood patiently; the specific or varied needs of each person need to be recognised; they must be informed regarding this unusual situation and reassured that the situation is transient and not going to last long and normal life will be going to resume soon. Further, they require to be informed about possible sources of help and the support being extended by Central Government, State Government and Civil Society Organisations including health care systems.

Emphasis may be given on the importance of staying in their present location and how mass movement could greatly and adversely affect all efforts to contain the virus. They should be made realise about their importance in the community and their contributions for the society may be appreciated. This is the time to reassure them that even if their employer fails to help them, local administration and charitable institutions would extend all possible help. Out of desperation, many may react in a manner which may appear insulting them, so our obligations is to understand their issues and handle them patiently. If somebody is afraid of getting affected, we have to convince him/her that the condition is curable and can recover very soon. Most importantly, we require to remind the returnees that it is safer for their families if they themselves stay away for certain period; and instead of reflecting any mercy, we have to seek their support in the spirit of winning over the situation together.

When one of the Volunteers of CYSD asked Tulasi Behera, a differently abled girl of 21 years, about her well-being, she replied cheerfully, “The dry food basket jointly given by CYSD & Plan has become the saviour for us. The chapatti we made out of the wheat flour is quite testy. The survival kit support along with hygiene kit is so vital for our survival.  We are really grateful to both the organisations for standing behind us during this crisis”.

Tulasi, lives in Behera Sahi slum of Patharbandha under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation area with her parents and a brother of 19 years. Her father used to maintain the livelihood of a four-member family through goat rearing.  While her mother does the household chores, Tulasi helps her father in feeding the goats, finding pasture land and collecting leaf throughout the day, rearing of goat being the only source of the family’s income.

During the course of interaction it was learnt from Tulasi that some other materials, like sanitary napkin and animal foodstuffs, even some financial assistance could have been included in the relief kit.  “Now, we are both physically and economically handicapped. It is too difficult on our part to feed the goats, being our last resource. Struggle for rebuilding the life will be a big challenge for us during this lockdown.” added ill-fated Tulasi.

The nationwide lockdown in India which started about 5 weeks ago has impacted around 40 million internal migrants’ livelihoods and the magnitude of internal migration is about two-and-a-half times that of international migration, says The World Bank Report ‘COVID-19 Crisis through a Migration Lens’.

Lockdowns, loss of employment, and social distancing prompted a chaotic and painful process of mass return for internal migrants in India and many countries in the world.Owing to Coronavirus pandemic in India, the desperate migrant workers have been trapped in lockdown. There had been rumours of train services restarting, and the workers had gathered defying rules of social distancing, putting themselves and others at risk.They demanded that authorities arrange transport to send them back to their hometowns and villages so they could be with their families. The police, instead, used sticks to disperse them.

In the western state of Gujarat, hundreds of textile workers protested in Surat city, demanding passage home. There was outrage in Delhi, when several hundred migrants were discovered living under a bridge along the Yamuna river strewn with garbage.

The above incidents have shone a spotlight the plight of millions of poor Indians who migrate from villages to cities in search of livelihood – and how the lockdown has left them stranded far away from home, with no jobs or money.Most moved from villages to work in the cities as domestic helpers, drivers and gardeners, or as daily-wagers on construction sites, building malls, flyovers and homes, or as street vendors.Whether living in shelters, sleeping on footpaths or under flyovers, the migrants are restless and are waiting for restrictions to be eased so they can go home.

The pandemic could exacerbate the existing vulnerabilities of the country’s refugees and internally displaced persons. Travel bans, closed borders and living conditions in camps all amplify the risks to migrants. This crisis is an opportunity for the country as well as the world to display empathy and solidarity with these groups.

It is right that our collective concerns are first and foremost for people who are at greater risk of dying from COVID-19. The Governments with the support hands of civil society sector, corporate and volunteers need to address the challenges facing internal migrants by including them in health services and cash transfer and other social programmes, and protecting them from discrimination.