Following the lockdown declared by the Government on 22nd 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 2nd May, immediately he booked a ticket and boarded that particular train. On 4th 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 6th 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.