Poonam Rao

Poonam, a 30-year-old cook from Someshwarwadi (Pashan), Pune, traveled to Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh during the lockdown. With her family, she embarked on this journey by borrowing money from a few people. She learned about the lockdown from YouTube news and made decisions without any external instructions or support.

The journey was particularly challenging as she was pregnant, walking long distances and occasionally getting lifts from trucks and buses. The trip took 12-15 days with scarce food and water.

Despite these hardships, the family managed to reach their village, where they were quarantined. Finding no work in the village, they returned to the city, resuming jobs to support themselves financially. Minimal help was received during this period, despite government efforts to double ration supplies.