Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 19, 2020

Among the many students who are studying at universities in other countries and are unable to make their way to India due to the coronavirus outbreak, is Irrfan and Sutapa Sikdar’s son, Babil. The youngster, who is studying in London, hasn’t been able to get on a flight due to the travel restrictions that have been imposed.

On her social media page, a worried Sutapa wrote, “Airport closure#indian students#stuckin#London! My son being one of them and what are we doing. While the virus is pointing towards us how nature is trying to tell us something, we are hoarding, escaping from hospitals and for such irresponsible people, those who would abide every test to keep others safe are suffering and are victims of fear. Me as a mother is worried as hell but I don’t understand when Indian government has been so good with other students why it’s not helping Indian students stuck in London. London is hot bed now but not worse then#wuhan. Let the students come back home my earnest #appealto#GOI (sic).”

Sutapa’s friends like actress Kunickaa Sickand, Kalpana Iyer and Dolly Ahluwalia Tewari were quick to offer help. While some of them offered to initiate discussions with the authorities, others offered to help her son find a place to stay.