Bringing Colour to Lockdown

When the prime minister declared that India would enter a 21-day lockdown, his message to the nation was simple - stay at home. On the face of it, it is a good strategy to help with social distancing, but it is never as simple as that. What happens if your home is miles away, or worse, you do not have one?

This is the problem that millions of Indians are now facing. Countless poor workers sleep wherever they find work, but with so many industries shutting down, that was no longer an option. Borders and transport hubs were abruptly shut down, leaving many desperate for food and shelter. Although the government announced an assistance package that was designed to keep the poor fed, with an economy that has been underperforming for years and has now been stopped in its tracks, there is concern that many more will be added to the homeless and working poor populations.

After hearing about their plight in the news, 10-12 women in my neighbourhood came together to help those who were displaced and affected by the pandemic, mainly construction site workers (who live at the site along with their families), rickshaw pullers and slum dwellers. Their initiative ‘Help for Daily Wagers’ has been providing dry food on a weekly basis to around 550 people in our community. The majority of these people are from the Muslim community, who have been To do my part, I created a colouring booklet to help all the children affected, as they too can’t go to school or see their friends. My aim was not only to keep them occupied and bring smiles to their faces, but also to give them something productive to do while they are out of school. I printed out the sheets using recycled paper and made over 100 bundles, which also included a packet of biscuits and crayons/colour pencils. The local police have been kind enough to distribute my booklets to the families along with the dry food. They have now suggested I create another booklet with colouring sheets featuring our ‘friendly neighbourhood policemen’ along with information on the coronavirus which would help create awareness amongst the kids.

maligned during these difficult times due to the pre-existing communal atmosphere in the country.

In this way, I hope to support those with fewer privileges than me.

Ishan Kapur, M, 3 rd