Birabal and Birabal 2.
(Birabal was one of the migrants we were working with in the lockdown, trying to help them return to their village as they found themselves stranded penniless.
He sent me his sons picture when he reached home.)
Birabal Singh.
s/o Tunu Singh, Chiniya Village, Gharwa Jharkhand 822114
He has a one month old son. He has not seen him yet. He is very eager to go home to his son, wife, and mother.
"Itna jor se rotha hai phone pe. Boltha hai, jaldi aaoo, jaldi aaoo." (He cries so loudly into the phone. Saying 'Come soon, come soon'.)
He is so happy to talk about his son.
They have a little land at home, now divided between four brothers. His wife and mother sow maize and channa.
He says he will be back after Corona. "We people need to work hard and earn. I am young now, only 25. I will work and earn for my family."
His own father died 20 years ago when he was a small boy. He collapsed and died suddenly.
Why do these simple conversations weigh so heavily on me ...
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