Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 29, 2020)

As migrant workers continue to live under difficult situations due to Coronavirus spread, actor Pankaj Tripathi, who hails from Bihar, states that these men and women are from his own world, and it aches him to see them struggle for basics.

Many of these men and women come to big cities to give their families a better life but Tripathi understands their psyche of why they want to go home now.

The Mirzapur actor says, “It was a heartbreaking image of migrants walking 500 kilometres towards their home towns. At this point of time, it’s better for them to stay where they are. The Good Samaritans and volunteer groups are taking care of them. Ration and supplies are being provided as well. I say a prayer for them everyday because these are people I know and have seen all my life. It kills me to know that they don’t have a shelter over their heads anymore. The state government is doing their best to take care of them. I hope they feel assured and safe.”

He adds that these are unprecedented times migrant workers must be “calm and patient”. “It’s important that they don’t fall for fake news and look for authorised people to confirm information before stepping out. I hope they can go back and be with their loved ones soon,” says Tripathi.