Odisha: Surge in infections dashes hope of quick return to normalcy

BHUBANESWAR: Returning to normal now seems like a distant dream to vendors, migrant workers, small-time businessmen and daily wage labourers, as Covid-19 continues its relentless onslaught. The restrictions, coupled with it, have instilled a fear of the rerun of the financial hardships they faced last year.
“Since the time Covid-19 reared its ugly head, life has not been the same. We are faced with fear and uncertainty at every step. We are also putting the life of our family members at risk. Towards the end of last year, when the cases had started dipping, there was some hope of returning to normal. But now that seems like a remote possibility,” Pravat Kumar Swain, a vegetable vendor at Unit-1 market, said. He is angry with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation asking vendors to move to an open place to prevent overcrowding. He had shifted to the Unit-1 market from a school playground only last year. And now he has to go back there again.
As is always the case, the daily-wage workers, auto-rickshaw drivers and small-time businessmen, are among the worst affected.
“Last year, the government had imposed the lockdown before Covid-19 could spread any further. Though we have gained some experience from the earlier lockdowns and shutdowns, we have not ceased to suffer since then. Now when the infection rate is higher and it is spreading faster, the impact will also be stronger. It’s getting difficult for us to remain patient and be resilient in the face of odds,” Pitambar Sahu, a small-time businessman, who sells bags in the market building here said. He added that business has dropped significantly and customers have stopped coming. Auto-rickshaw drivers, who have been asked to carry passengers up to 50% of the capacity of the vehicle said, they may not overcome the second jolt. “Petrol and diesel prices have gone through the roof. Now, if we have to carry passengers, only till half the capacity of the vehicle, how can we survive? We have families to feed,” Sushil Das, an auto-rickshaw driver in the city, said.
Though the government has not yet put restrictions on construction and other development works, the daily wage labourers fear that Covid may rob them of their livelihood.
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