The Tears of Emotion and Pain- A Reunion and The Struggle Behind

“Though I shall never forget this worst phase of my life, I shall also loathe my disappointment at the quarantine centres against the lack of basic facilities. There was no sanitation and hygiene; we had to get food from our home. The 14 days lockdown also worsened the financial troubles in my family”, narrates Aarti.

Aarti hails from the Khairiya village of Banda district in Uttar Pradesh. Caught under the burden of debt and the lack of adequate livelihood opportunities in the local area, Aarti migrated to Surat. Her husband and relatives accompanied her in this search of employment in the far off place. She and her husband started working at a saree printing company in Surat for a minimal payment. They even engaged themselves in overtime shifts to fill the voids in the financial obligations of the family. 

Their constant struggle in keeping up to the peaks and trough was yet to meet the toughest of hurdles. Aarti enumerates, “ After six months, the nationwide lockdown to contain COVID-19 infection was announced in March, and the saree company was shut. We assumed that the lockdown was for a brief period but it turned out to be worse.”

The global pandemic has disrupted the economic core of the world. Even our country has been grappling with economic deceleration and the immediate brunt-bearers were the guest workers. The lack of local job opportunities has pushed many labourers into migration for employment and the lockdown has thrashed their only source of income-generation into the perils of ambiguity. Several unfortunate incidents have pitifully wreaked havoc on the community of guest workers who had to return home amidst the risks, misfortunes, disappointments and terrible accidents.

Having run out of resources to survive in the faraway land, Aarti and her husband decided to return to their native place. “When we did not get any means of transport to return, my husband opted to cover the distance on foot.  It was a depressing 40km long distance that we had crossed on foot. Then we had to book a mini truck to help us reach the Banda border and from there, it took us 6-7 days more to walk to our village. Crossing dangerous forests and unfavourable situations across the way, we covered this challenging journey.”

Aarti, her husband and relatives, reunited with their family after this painful venture and a 14 days quarantine in a government school. Aarti mentions, “Though I shall never forget this worst phase of my life, I shall also loathe my disappointment at the quarantine centres against the lack of basic facilities. There was no sanitation and hygiene; we had to get food from our home. The 14 days lockdown also worsened the financial troubles in my family.”

Around this time, CASA, in association with CAID, was surveying the plight of guest workers in Khairiya village. An extensive effort was channelised towards helping the ones in need wherein the predicament of Aarti was also identified. To help alleviate her hardships, CASA provided her with the seeds of staple foods like pulses, sesame and paddy to aid in securing a reliable source of sustenance through farming. “My husband and I could also register ourselves in the labour committee. With the help of CASA, we could apply for a job card and ration card, which helped us receive work under MGNREGA. I am grateful to CASA for the immediate help that they provided me during my worst of days.”

CASA could analyse the lack of awareness and means of livelihood in the community of returnee guest workers and daily wagers across India. To stand by them and help them pass these days of instability, CASA has been providing them with all possible support. Not only do we aim to help them, but also raise their awareness of the precautionary measures necessary to avoid the spread of COVID-19.