NOIDA: When the Covid-induced lockdown led to factories closing and lakhs of migrant workers who had lost their jobs leaving cities in desperation, it was a massive humanitarian crisis that unfolded. But the adversity also brought out the best in humanity. In Noida, a movement started. It was by the people, and for the people. In April and May, the streets of Delhi-NCR witnessed the heart-rending sights of migrant workers setting out for their homes hundreds of kilometres away on foot, baggage and children in tow.
As the government scrambled to arrange transport, camps were set up to house the thousands who were walking. But with wave after wave of reverse migration, there were thousands still on roads, walking down expressways and hitching rides with whoever they could to get home. Other than shielding from the virus, finding food was the other big challenge.