We continued distribution yesterday and today. On 17th May, we did about 200 families – some rations and some coupons. We also distributed milk coupons to kids below 6, and paid off our new trader in Gottigere as well as in Hulimavu for old coupons redeemed. The redemption rate is over 98%, mostly 100%.
We saw hundreds near the Hulimavu Police Station today morning. They had come to apply for permissions and certificates to go back to Bihar. We need procedures and procedures and our working class who are the very soul-of-patience comply.
We saw a video in a slum today of what happened to their friend who had reached his home district in Bihar. One look at that video convinced them that they didn’t want to go back. They are herded like sheep in an enclosure and fed once a day. Looked like feeding time at the zoo – maybe a bit of exaggeration here. Another person who belongs to another district seems willing to go back – here the local admin seems better. Some simply don’t want to go back as they say they won’t get work.
We started distributing food and rations in Indore and Anantapur on the highway. In Anantapur we are giving cooked meals on the highway dhabas and giving them paranthas to carry as well as water. That is because highway walkers cannot cook. Both places through CCD staff but in collaboration with local administration and other NGOs. Some of our farmers who are part of the FPOs we have set up are also helping out as volunteers there. A few had in fact started feeding them with their meagre resources.
One observation: we did not meet a single person from Kerala since March 30th in any of the slums and shanties and jhuggi-jhompris we visited. Could 100% literacy have something to do with 0% slum dwellers?
Thanks again.
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Please email sarmagn.blr@ccd.ngo giving your name, PAN number, address and amount contributed. We will be happy to send you the 80G receipt so that you can avail a tax benefit.
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