Muslims come to aid of UP-bound migrant

Arrange food, shelter; help him reach home

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 14

Helped by residents, a 40-year-old migrant reached Mandharpur village in Basti district of Uttar Pradesh amid the Covid crisis.

The migrant, Mahendra, started his journey on a bicycle from Ludhiana during the nationwide lockdown.

When Mahendra was hungry, tired and had his feet badly swollen, Muslims arranged food and water for him. They also helped other migrants who were on their way to their respective villages.

“After cycling for four days, I reached Saharanpur along with 21 other workers from Ludhiana. We halted at an orchard located near Chhutmalpur village. I was tired while my feet had badly swollen. When villagers, who were Muslims, learnt about us, they reached the orchard. When we shared our story, they assured us of every possible help. They provided food and water to us. They also gave us soaps,” Mahendra said.

He said the villagers provided them meals at night as well as the next morning. Meanwhile, district administration officials reached there and asked them to come with them to the nearby Doon Ayurvedic Medical College. “I am a Hindu. I can’t forget the help provided by Muslim people. I am thankful to them,” Mahendra said.

“After reaching the college, we spent the night there. The Muslim people brought food for us the next morning at the college too. Officials told us that we will be quarantined for the next 14 days. Our medical screening was done there,” he said.

“After the quarantine period, the administration arranged vehicles to send us to our respective villages located in different districts. I was asked to station my cycle there and come after lockdown to take it. Finally, I reached my village in Basti,” he added. Mahendra used to work in a textile firm at Ludhiana. “Due to poor financial condition, I had come to Ludhiana in search of a job. Days after the lockdown was imposed, I had no money to eat that’s why I decided to go back to the village in UP on a cycle,” he added.