I started my activism with the refugee particularly Burmese refugees more than ten years ago. Things changed and my focus shifted but my heart is always close to them and my solidarity in their aspirations for lasting peace and freedom from all kinds of oppression and for a place to be called HOME.
“NO ONE LEAVES HOME UNLESS HOME IS THE MOUTH OF A SHARK.”
– Warshan Shire
Location: Luangchum village community quarantine centre (Photo credit: Dijinpou, returnee)
Villagers building huts for returnees from metro cities. (Photo credit:Dijinpou, returnee)
This solar panel is the only source of power at the quarantine centre (Photo credit: Dijinpou, returnee)
This is Moti, not any exotic breed but a regular local breed with its tail curled up and its ears pricked up, was born as a stray pup about 5 years ago inside our campus in New Delhi. Physically, Moti is neither a big dog nor a small one but rather slim and a bit smaller than most common stray dogs. It is a short haired breed and its coat color is reddish brown.
One might ask, “How did it get its name if it is a stray dog?” Well, children from the neighbouring houses used to feed him when he was a pup and they felt that it would be a good thing if they could give him a name, so they named him Moti and he has been known as Moti ever since that day.
We also used to feed him. Soon, he became very fond of us. And like any person who has owned a pet, I have had some happy and memorable moments with Moti. Before the pandemic lockdown whenever we walked pass the lane Moti used to wag his tail and greet us expecting something since we used to feed him.
This drawing is from when he was a bit younger and the real picture was taken a year ago. Since the pandemic lockdown, I have not seen him, I’m not sure if he’s still around or gone somewhere. Even stray dogs are crossing one’s mind and becoming part of pandemic memories.
Returnees boarding bus for Railway station (Photo credit: Returnee)
On 10 May 2020, first evacuation of returnees from Manipur stranded in Chennai started, and a Shramik special train carrying 1200 people arrived Jiribam on 13 May 2020. Most them said it’s better to return home than suffer in unknown cities and even if we have to die we better die at home. These returnees mostly worked in private or unorganized sector and they are left jobless, homeless and penniless in cities due to pandemic lockdown.
10 May 2020: Returnees from Manipur at the Railway station, Chennai (Photo credit: Returnee)
Even these sweet little ones were part of returnees from Chennai to Tamenglong, Manipur. They braved a very long and tiresome journey by train to be back home. This pandemic has so much effect that even these little children have to go through such crunch in their lifetime. Thank God for bringing them home safely along with their parents and other returnees. Sharing this adorable picture with permission from their parents. (Photo credit: Kid’s parent)
MY JOURNEY 