Rajesh had ‘secure’ life goals to survive until he saw the desperation to survive and need of justice all around him – in his country, community, even in his own family. As a young man, Rajesh had always dreamed of having a “secure job and secure earnings, with more than enough to survive.”  That all changed one day when he…

Rajesh Gupta

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Chhattisgarh was one of the most affected states due to the second wave of COVID-19 in India. The administration imposed a strict lockdown across the state to curb infections. However, that also meant a loss of livelihood to many tribals and daily wage labourers.

As it was the season of plucking of Tendu leaves, the administration allowed villagers of Raigarh district to pluck and earn wages during the lockdown. Tendu leaves are a forest produce used to tie beedi bundles together.

Our Community Correspondent Rajesh Gupta also belongs to a family that plucked tendu leaves for a living. He is happy that his community has some source of income to survive the lockdown.