\nhave come hand in hand along with the coronavirus. In the midst of this heart-wrenching situation,
\nVirendar Singh, a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh, currently residing Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, lost his
\nonly source of earning. \u201c I migrated to Shimla in the hope of finding better employment
\nopportunities. I was working here in the hotel management sector until the pandemic hit and I lost
\nmy livelihood.\u201d
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.casa-india.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screenshot-2020-08-24-at-9.23.16-AM-951x1024.png\"){kind=spacer}
\nVirender\u2019s life had taken a turn for the worse when Covid-19 compelled the nation to enter into a
\nlockdown. Although, the pandemic has brought various impediments for all, the marginalised
\ncommunities have been severely impacted. There has been a sharp decline in employment
\nopportunities, with families facing acute cash crunch.
\nUpon losing his job, Varender had no means of maintaining his sustenance. He decided to go back
\nhome. However, owing to the nation- wide lockdown, there were no inter-state public transport
\nfacilities available. Hiring a taxi proved to be too expensive and thus, he had no choice but to stay in
\nShimla.
\nUncertain about his future prospects, Vi
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.casa-india.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/IMG_8459-1280x853.jpg\")
render does not know when will he be able to resume work.\n\u201cHotels have been shut and I believe we will be not be catering to tourists anytime soon as the curb
\nhas been imposed on inessential travelling.\u201d
\nCASA\u2019s COVID-19 response assisted Varender during this dire situation by recognising his frantic
\nstate. We supported him by linking him with the Municipal Corporation of Shimla for employment
\nopportunities, where he voluntarily took up various responsibilities in exchange for dry ration and a
\nmonetary amount of 1000 rupees ( given through bank transfer).
\n\u201cI am grateful for all the support I have received from CASA. In these challenging times, a lending
\nhand can make a huge difference.\u201d
\nThere are many migrant workers, stranded in towns far from home, who neither have the means to
\ngo back to their native states nor do they have any way of securing their daily bread. CASA shall
\ncontinue to provide aid and support to such marginalised communities, who have been adversely
\naffected due to Covid-19.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"