COVID-19: Migrants paint school as thank you gesture for food

For being fed properly and receiving a safe shelter amid the COVID-19 lockdown, 54 daily wage workers quarantined in two government schools of Rajasthan, painted school walls and maintained gardens, to express their gratitude. In the Sikar district of Rajasthan, the daily wagers were quarantined for a period of 22 days, reported NDTV.

Before the coronavirus outbreak in India, the men had travelled from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya pradesh and Haryana in search of employment opportunities. The workers asked for paint and brushes from the village sarpanch, and revamped the Shaheed Sitaram Kumawat as well as the Seth KL Tambi Government Higher Secondary Schools in the district.

The workers were quoted saying in the report that they received great food, including kheer, jalebi, tea and biscuits. So they wanted to say thankyou and do something to give back to the community. The workers gave a new lease of life to the school gardens and painted the walls, giving an attractive look.

Roop Singh Shekhawat, the village sarpanch was quoted saying that they made necessary arrangements of food and lodging on their own expenses, for accommodating the wagers.

Related News: Death toll due to COVID-19 rises to 681; cases climb to 21,393

Amidst tragic stories of migrant workers dying on streets across the country, this particular heart-warming tale is a true silver lining. Lakhs of migrant labourers have been left stranded due to the strict lockdown, meant for preventing the transmission of the virus. Left without food, water, money, and shelter, migrants have been forced to walk for thousands of kilometres to return to their hometowns.