Who are the people and How are they getting affected by the Lockdown (Part 2)
*continued from part 1*
6. Farmers
We don't have to discuss how farmers are the primary source of food available to us and their importance in the supply chain of food items and subsidiary farm materials.
However there are some issues which need to be taken care of.
-Perishable goods/Horticulture products: As we know, these goods do not last long. Therefore, they are needed to be immediately supplied to local markets/mandis for consumers to buy. If this doesn't happen , then these items will get wasted and will cause a huge loss to farmers and their income. Further, this will cause huge demand in markets and prices of horticulture products will rise.
-Rabi crop harvesting: We all know, this is the time for harvesting of Rabi crops. Even though, farmers are given a go ahead to cut their crop, lack of labours and machinery is a problem. If government do not intervene, it will cause trouble for the farmers and general populace at large.
-Income: We know, government is considering release of buffer of food grains for poor and needy. But, considering the fresh crop ready to hit markets, if the supply is not handled properly, then abundant supply will crash the prices and income of farmers will be badly hit.
7. Women
Now, many of you may think that this absurd. But I assure you, women are indirectly facing the burnt of this lockdown too. Consider this report published in Indian Express today where UN chief urges nations to take care of women who are facing increased incidents of domestic violence and abuse.
8. Exporters
We all know, exports of essential items are completely banned in India. Especially, important drugs, medicines like Hydroxychloroquine which are in huge demand inside as well as outside of India, medical equipments, PPEs, etc. And we have a very strong reason to do so. But, exporters are warning that if we do not allow exports of goods from our country very soon, then goods from other countries like China will replace Indian goods in foreign countries and then it will be very hard to find market again.
This can cause long time losses for many businesses in our country which hugely rely on exports for their profit.
9. Companies/Business units
It is known that most businesses are close or partially shut down due to lockdown except those who produce essential items.
However, those, which are running, finding it hard to run their business as ground workers/labourers are missing from the picture.
They can't load/unload the trucks, they can't move goods from one place to another, daily routine tasks like cleaning the floors/machines is not being done properly.
Warehouses are full but in absence of ground workers, transportation of goods is a big issue.
10. Stranded Truckers
Since lockdown has started, movement of non-essential goods were stopped. This caused huge cavalry of trucks stuck in the highways for days. Those with essential goods were later allowed to move, but those with non-essential goods like, automobile parts, furniture, etc were stranded. Now, drivers and their associates are spending remaining days with the help of police/local administration for basic amenities. They can't leave the trucks with so many costly items.
There are even cases where trucks were looted in deserted areas where there was no police protection provided to truckers.
There are also cases where drivers escaped, leaving the loaded trucks behind saving their lives.
Similarly, the list can go on.
-I didn't cover the dilemma faced by migrants who are walking on foot because that was well covered by media.
-There are ragpickers who are not getting a single time food to survive.
-There are cases where cured people are ill-treated in their locality and a stigma attached to them.
-Handicapped and poor who are entitled to different benefits announced recently by the government are not getting anything, they complain that is was just in files of government.
- Job aspirants are waiting for their selection process to be over soon.
And much more.
However, in spite of all this problems, struggles, obstacles faced by many of us. We have followed the rules of lockdown and tried our best to deliver what is expected of us.
Unity is Diversity is what defines India. And we will be united to fight this pandemic till we get it over with.
Thanks for reading. 🙏
6. Farmers
We don't have to discuss how farmers are the primary source of food available to us and their importance in the supply chain of food items and subsidiary farm materials.
However there are some issues which need to be taken care of.
-Perishable goods/Horticulture products: As we know, these goods do not last long. Therefore, they are needed to be immediately supplied to local markets/mandis for consumers to buy. If this doesn't happen , then these items will get wasted and will cause a huge loss to farmers and their income. Further, this will cause huge demand in markets and prices of horticulture products will rise.
-Rabi crop harvesting: We all know, this is the time for harvesting of Rabi crops. Even though, farmers are given a go ahead to cut their crop, lack of labours and machinery is a problem. If government do not intervene, it will cause trouble for the farmers and general populace at large.
-Income: We know, government is considering release of buffer of food grains for poor and needy. But, considering the fresh crop ready to hit markets, if the supply is not handled properly, then abundant supply will crash the prices and income of farmers will be badly hit.
7. Women
Now, many of you may think that this absurd. But I assure you, women are indirectly facing the burnt of this lockdown too. Consider this report published in Indian Express today where UN chief urges nations to take care of women who are facing increased incidents of domestic violence and abuse.
8. Exporters
We all know, exports of essential items are completely banned in India. Especially, important drugs, medicines like Hydroxychloroquine which are in huge demand inside as well as outside of India, medical equipments, PPEs, etc. And we have a very strong reason to do so. But, exporters are warning that if we do not allow exports of goods from our country very soon, then goods from other countries like China will replace Indian goods in foreign countries and then it will be very hard to find market again.
This can cause long time losses for many businesses in our country which hugely rely on exports for their profit.
9. Companies/Business units
It is known that most businesses are close or partially shut down due to lockdown except those who produce essential items.
However, those, which are running, finding it hard to run their business as ground workers/labourers are missing from the picture.
They can't load/unload the trucks, they can't move goods from one place to another, daily routine tasks like cleaning the floors/machines is not being done properly.
Warehouses are full but in absence of ground workers, transportation of goods is a big issue.
10. Stranded Truckers
Since lockdown has started, movement of non-essential goods were stopped. This caused huge cavalry of trucks stuck in the highways for days. Those with essential goods were later allowed to move, but those with non-essential goods like, automobile parts, furniture, etc were stranded. Now, drivers and their associates are spending remaining days with the help of police/local administration for basic amenities. They can't leave the trucks with so many costly items.
There are even cases where trucks were looted in deserted areas where there was no police protection provided to truckers.
There are also cases where drivers escaped, leaving the loaded trucks behind saving their lives.
Similarly, the list can go on.
-I didn't cover the dilemma faced by migrants who are walking on foot because that was well covered by media.
-There are ragpickers who are not getting a single time food to survive.
-There are cases where cured people are ill-treated in their locality and a stigma attached to them.
-Handicapped and poor who are entitled to different benefits announced recently by the government are not getting anything, they complain that is was just in files of government.
- Job aspirants are waiting for their selection process to be over soon.
And much more.
However, in spite of all this problems, struggles, obstacles faced by many of us. We have followed the rules of lockdown and tried our best to deliver what is expected of us.
Unity is Diversity is what defines India. And we will be united to fight this pandemic till we get it over with.
Thanks for reading. 🙏
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