The first week of the lockdown saw a huge number of migrants from economic belts making the heart wrenching journey back home. To an extent that some of them could not make it safe. The urban poor dependent on daily wages are distraught. The rural families, small farmers or farm labourers, are left hopeless in this most crucial time of the year when they ready themselves for Kharif crop – supply chains have massive breakdown. And there is the looming public health scare due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It gets hard to wake up to another day sometimes.
But we also saw hope in there. We have been guilty of hoarding – but we are beginning to give now. The large number of citizens making donations to the various groups at the frontline trying to provide support; is inspiring. We have just started though. A crisis of this magnitude, we have not seen in our lifetimes. That also means, it demands our best versions to be out there. The donations need to keep coming.
Our resources might be way more than our needs right now. Can we all, collectively, participate in the biggest humanitarian aid that history might witness? Can we save India’s soul? Do you want to join us? This is a long haul, and we are looking to have you donate, not just from your March salary, but every time you save on the coffee in the coffee shop, the parlour visit, movie show and so on. We can replace them by adrak chai, gharelu nuskha and board games at home. The millions at the brink of being lost cannot wait.
We cannot afford to not help anymore. Your contribution, can be of any amount, will directly be transferred to needy folk’s bank accounts in the best case, so that they can access what they lack, with dignity. If they do not have accounts or are not going to be able to access resources, we are supporting a citizen group or partner organization that will ready essentials kit and distribute them. For now, this amount is 1000 INR per person.