The lockdown induced by coronavirus pandemic has had unprecedented impact on Indian economy, with migrant workers suffering the most as jobs dried down effecting their livelihoods.
In these difficult times, many people have stepped up the help migrants and ensured they reach their homes. Joining the bandwagon of good samaritans is Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh.
As per a report in PTI citing AAP's sources, the Rajya Sabha member from Delhi, Singh has decided to use the air tickets he is entitled to as an MP to help stranded migrant workers reach Patna from Delhi by flight.
It should be noted that each member of the parliament is entitled to 34 business class tickets in domestic flights annually.?
The decision was praised by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who said it would be an inspiration for everyone.
"Everyone will be inspired by this unique initiative of Sanjay ji. Those whom God has given means, it is their responsibility to put their resources in the service of others. Sanjay ji deserves to be congratulated," Kejriwal said in a tweet.?
While the gesture is praiseworthy, it also begs the question why can't other MPs follow suit and send workers home on the flight tickets they are entitled to. What holds the representatives of people back?
At a time when leadership is needed to push the country over crisis, these are the little measures that should be taken to show migrant workers that they are a big part of this nation's success and they are valued.?
Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown in late March,?India?has witnessed fateful scenes of migrant workers fleeing the cities. As livelihoods vanished overnight, millions of casual wage earners have hitch-hiked and cycled, but mostly just walked hundreds of miles to get home, often in other states. Some collapsed on the way and died from the exhaustion. Many have been run over.?
A country like India where migrant workers form a bulk of the workforce and are a big part of the economic process, the leaders need to do more. The need right now is of compassion and effective steps to ensure migrants are given their due.?
A democracy as such, India has to go above and beyond for the workers whose sweat makes this country tick.