Pathankot to Gwalior on foot

As food money run out, migrants walk thousands of km to return home

Jalandhar, March 29

With a handkerchief tied to his face, Ram Kumar, treads along the PAP highway in Jalandhar – his eventual destination is Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh – 849 km from his starting point — Pathankot.

Ram Kumar who had come to Punjab on March 16 has had a shortlived stint at Pathankot selling golgappas – with his dream to earn a better livelihood cut short by the lockdown. A week into his new business, the lockdown caused him to lock up his vend and head home. With no vehicles available due to the lockdown – he has decided to reach Gwalior on foot.

Accompanied by another family (his relative) Gulaab – the troupe of 11 has been traversing the state highways since yesterday on foot.

Having run out of money in his initial attempts to procure ration for the family – all the food the family has was provided to them by the police.

“My wife and children have nowhere to stay and nothing to eat. So we thought we would get back. I have a daughter and son with me,” says Ram Kumar.

While the family was given a ride by the police on the way, he said the only food they got was also provided by the police.

“We do farming work there. We will pursue that now. Here there is no job, no money and no food,” says Gulaab, Ram’s relative who ran a glogappa stand.

A family of migrants from Amritsar is also making its way to Bihar from Jalandhar. The five-member family – including three kids – used to sew footballs at Amritsar. Running across the highway, the family says they are going to Delhi as they heard from there buses are available to Bihar.

Many families are also scared of venturing out due to the lockdown. The daughter of migrants Babloo and Reeti has been ailing since last night, but afraid of the police they say they haven’t mustered the courage to leave their homes.