The Pandemic
The pandemic has claimed a colonial vestige—the Indian Railways' dak messenger system. Dak messengers are picked from office peons to play what was considered a crucial role up until recently – ferrying “secret” and “confidential” messages within the Railways. With their travel allowances running up to Rs 10 crore annually, the Railways wants its Babus to use video conferencing for any communication.
Makeshift cardboard partitions at emery wheels where diamonds are polished and using UV light as disinfectant for paper sachets that pass through multiple hands—the diamond hub of Surat is finding new solutions in a desperate bid to revive business after over 1,700 workers tested positive for the virus. “The industry is facing a tough time due to the curbs and hardly any demand in the international market,” says Babubhai Katheriya, who heads Surat’s diamond association.
Manish Kumar from Bihpur in Bhagalpur is among the 10 men preparing to take their first flight to Delhi for a job at a construction site in Haryana. “For years, I get calls when people want to arrange for labour in Delhi and Haryana. This time, they said work needs to start quickly because they have to meet targets. They are paying for the tickets, and it is the first flight for these workers.”
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