Mohammad Saban Sheikh

Saban Sheikh, a 29-year-old construction worker from Odisha, faced an unimaginable ordeal when the COVID-19 lockdown left him stranded with no work and no way to survive in the city. Determined to reach his hometown in Jharkhand, he set out on a bicycle, braving scorching heat and exhaustion. At times, he double-rode with a fellow migrant, taking turns to pedal, but the lack of proper rest and food made the journey extremely difficult.

Along the way, he was stopped at multiple state borders, forced to wait for hours before being allowed to continue. With limited savings and no certainty of help, he relied on roadside donations and small meals from kind strangers. Despite the physical strain and bureaucratic hurdles, Saban pressed on, finally reaching home after nine grueling days on the road. His story is a testament to the resilience of India’s migrant workers, who endured incredible hardships just for the simple right to return home.