Guwahati: Due to the Covid-19 lockdown migrant workers continue to walk and cycle back to their homes from hundreds of kilometers. Even though the Indian Railways started running special trains and the state governments deployed buses for these stranded people, the journey hasn’t been easy so far. One such story is of 7 Assamese youths who are cycling from Maharashtra to reach Biswanath in Assam. Along with these 7 youths, 21 more boys from other parts of Assam have joined in this long journey to motherland.
All the 7 youths were working in a rubber factory in Maharashtra. But after the lockdown extension and the rise of COVID-19 positive cases in Maharashtra these youths decided to return to their hometown to avoid the chances of getting infected from COVID-19.
The 7 youths have been identified as Govind Doley, Ankur Doley, Tikeshawar medhi, Ram Medhi,Rahul Pandey, Dipen Kardang and Shankar Medhi of Biswanath, Assam.
The extraordinary bicycle ride journey by these Assam youth started on May 13. These youth are determined to complete the journey of 2800 kms from Maharashtra to Assam amid lockdown. It will take 20 days to complete the journey.
Speaking to Niyomyabarta, Ganesh Doley said that they take rest for 6 to 7 hours every day. He also added that it’s not possible for them to continue the journey during the day time because of the scorching heat, so they start their journey in the night after 10 PM till morning 9 AM. These youths are sustaining on chapattis during their journey.
Meanwhile, many kind people that they meet during their journey provided them with food, water and money, too.
At every checkpoint these youths are being helped by the Police with biscuits and other essential commodities.
