Image Source: TRIBUNE

Volunteers associated with various social and religious groups are helping poor migrant workers and homeless in Jammu even as the lockdown has forced people to stay indoors. One such community effort is being done by Sikh Youth Sewa Trust, which is ensuring that about 1,000 homeless and poor workers get daily meals while 500 families are receiving dry ration every week since March 20. In the areas such as Canal Road, Railway Station, Gandhi Nagar, Bari Brahmana, Dignia and Channi Himmat in Jammu, where many migrant workers live in slums, group of volunteers ensure that people, especially daily earners, do not sleep hungry.Although the administration is providing free dry ration to the needy, the volunteers are also extending help to the poor who have suffered immensely due to the lockdown. “Many people have lost their livelihood due to the prevailing situation. There are many homeless who are being provided meals and ration daily,” said Tejinder Pal Singh, member of the Sikh Youth Sewa Trust. Members of the trust are also raising awareness about the virus and the need for social distancing by visiting various localities. Most of the food is prepared by volunteers themselves at gurdwaras. In many areas of Jammu, people associated with temple committees are also helping poor people by providing them essential commodities.