Covid-19

COVID-19: Where it forced the economically weaker sections to land up and how a common man and a society could raise a helping hand in this ongoing crisis

 

Joblessness and uncertainty in the minds of economically weaker sections are considered as a huge impact created by COVID

 

 

When the whole country shuts its business down, it is bound to affect every family’s financial state. However, the quantum of effect differs, based on the financial status of each family. The most exposed section of our workforce, during our repeated lockdowns, as part of COVID precautionary measures, is the informal sector. They are mostly the unskilled labours, which also consist of migrated labours from rural to urban places and working in construction sites, industries, malls, restaurants, etc., This unorganized sector sails with almost no social security. The average salary in the sector is somewhere around Rs.500 per day. Considering their very low income and a poor financial background, their savings tend to be bare minimum or nil. Hence, they are not built up to withstand any crisis.

 

According to a survey by NSSO, 90% of the workforce of the country is from informal sector. When such large workforce of the country is suddenly exposed to a near unemployment, with no assurance on future, it has resulted in complete breakdown of the sector. Hardly anyone could have missed the plight of migrant labours returning to their home states. It must be remembered that these labours have migrated from rural to urban areas in search of jobs.  Now when they return to their homes, don’t expect them to be welcomed by a garland of jobs since, the condition is far worse there (rural), than earlier. So, survival of these migrants who have returned to their hometown would be far-far difficult. This makes them more dependent on govt freebies.

 

With the lockdowns slowly easing and as we are getting back into business, it is still, a long way to go, in getting the workforce back to work.

 

Helping a Common Man’s Cause, being a Common Man

 

A COVID like pandemic would require a system for large scale planning, infrastructure, cash stimulus and manpower, which only Governments can afford. However that alone would not suffice in ending the crisis; contribution of each one of us in whatever small ways and the society in large, would only speed up the process, in achieving the target. Following are the few contributions that would go a long way in supporting the cause.

 

 

For COVID, it does not mandatorily require you to get into action to help others. In first hand, being socially responsible by following the basic guidelines and restricting unnecessary moves outside is itself a major help, you are doing to your community to contain the spread.

 

Many people, mostly elders are unable to cope up with the fear of Corona, or may be facing mental health issues. Try to identify and reach out to them by calls, messages, video calls and using social media. Humans have always evolved over time and never stopped to learn new things. Even in this pandemic, when we are locked up, we have found new ways to learn. Online classes, Webinars, Youtube classes are becoming the new normal. One can always volunteer himself with his teaching skills to students, friends or needy.

 

Frankly speaking, when the whole system is taking a back seat during COVID, it may not be feasible for everyone to reach out to other. Never mind, try to at least, be helpful in whatever small amount by donating or sharing surplus food/ materials available, to the needy through volunteers/NGOs etc.,

 

 

Role of the Society in supporting Common Man’s Cause

 

Photo Credit: Sandeep Rasal from The Hindu. Yuva volunteers give out food in Ambernath, Maharashtra

 

The strength of the society lies in unity. The society has always come together during distress times. Though, getting united for disasters like floods, Tsunami, earthquake etc., and a pandemic like COVID, requires different strategies, the crux remains the same, i.e., getting connected and helping each other during tougher times.

 

Create a network of volunteers in each area. Panchayats/Municipalities/Other Govt agencies play a vast role in the system. Societies need to engage with them. There may also be NGOs and volunteers involved in the relief operations, they can be supported in identifying the needy people, providing relief materials, supply chain and in delivery.

 

Frontline fighters, such as Medical professionals, personnel involved in essential services etc., are required to be supported. They are the ones who are risking their lives in this cause. They also have a family, hence the communities which reside along with them need to encourage them by showing their solidarity and compassion, rather than avoiding and shunning them.

 

Many businesses are either reporting loss or have stopped functioning, which has resulted in companies laying off their employees. Hence, unemployment is on the rise. This has left many jobless. During these difficult times, it is for the community to help the affected by providing required help in the form of cash, loans, relief materials etc., The same holds good to migrant workers, who are all on the move returning to their home states. Provide them shelters, food and most importantly treat them with compassion and respect.

 

Passing on the Baton…

 

While it is certain that, we as a nation would come out of this pandemic and prosper, we must also appreciate that there is no assurance be given, that such crisis would not repeat. Hence, it is most imperative for us to be prepared and educate the future generations on how to handle the crisis. Children and kids in our home are looking at us on how we are managing the crisis. This is such a great opportunity for us to educate them. Don’t keep them away; talk with them, don’t panic in front of them, try to help others in front of them; let them learn the art of helping others; let them see and learn. When the COVID is gone and you sit back and think of the takeaways from the crisis, it is sure that educating the next-gen would be one of the finest contributions that would come to our mind.

Content & Composed by: Suresh Kumar.N