Daily wage earners around India are struggling to go back home amid the lockdown. However, thankfully several people have come forward to help laborers reach their native place during this time of crisis.
Recently, the alumni association of National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, along with NGOs and activists gathered funds to help 180 migrants from Jharkhand, stranded in Mumbai to fly back home on a special chartered flight, reports India Today.
So impressed with the NLS alumni who put migrant workers on flights and handheld them till they boarded Air Asia. And apparently that flight was full of 174 migrants. Incredible whoever helped them get home. Much more than we can say for our government.
— Aparna Jain (@Aparna) May 28, 2020
Here are some pics. So heartwarming. pic.twitter.com/tsImLNLDsM
— Aparna Jain (@Aparna) May 28, 2020
The members were moved by the plight of the migrants and hence decided to gather funds to make travel arrangements for them. They took all the required permissions from the authorities as well. Manju Devi, a migrant from Ranchi, Jharkhand in Mumbai was quoted saying, “For the last two months, we were praying for train tickets but couldn’t succeed.”
“Flight tickets was something not in even in our dreams. Today, all seems unreal. I will be traveling for the first time on a plane. I am so happy that finally, I get to go home.”
Many like her had a scarcity of resources to go back home. The flight home was an emotional journey for them.
So proud of our class for taking the lead, and fellow NLS alumni, for an ambitious project superbly done.https://t.co/gd0V47Y4Zb https://t.co/XvcC13hA75
— Nandan Kamath (@nandankamath) May 28, 2020
In all the heartbreak, initiative & hope. These are my classmates, the NLS Bangalore batch of 2000. From government approval, to logistics and manning phones all night, 177 passengers about to fly home now. Truly honoured to be part of this cohort. https://t.co/ViWk2gPAtc
— Priya Pillai (@PillaiPriy) May 27, 2020
Initially, the team had booked seats for only 45 workers to fly back to Ranchi. However, as the flight got canceled, they decided to book a chartered flight and help many others as well, reports the New Indian Express. So, within 24 hours, the team collected Rs 13 lakh as their number of passengers went up to 180. The funds were collected from their friends and families.
Sincere gratitude to the alumni of NLS, Bangalore. This shoukd encourage many more institutions to proactively support comfortable travel of distressed migrant workers to their respective homes @SBAnlsiu @AdityaCoomar @anujprakaash @NayanaJhawar https://t.co/gTHw0ag2UU
— Mayur Shekhar Jha (@mayur_jha) May 28, 2020
@HemantSorenJMM @DC_Ranchi ke prayas se evm NLS banglore ke alumni ke sahyog se jharkhand ke pravasi mazdooro ka pahla jaththa mumbai se ranchi ke liye mumbai airport se rawana hota hua. Apni dharti aaba me aap sabka swagat hai . pic.twitter.com/4hPeMS3FJJ
— Mahboob Ur Rahman (@Mahboob58615988) May 28, 2020
Some time back, actor Sonu Sood had launched a toll-free number to help migrant workers. Well, it’s a blessing to have such individuals helping others during this time of need. We genuinely thank them for their selfless act of humanity.