COVID-19 and Lockdown are hurting the rural poor the most. Migrant labour and their families (old parents) in the native villages face a grim prospect -– loss of livelihoods, chances of their loved ones being infected, and further the socio-psychological impact – they may be ostracized.

The response has to be rapid, deep and supportive of the government, and coordinated nation-wide, given the fact that virus infection spreads quickly and the coronavirus cases rise exponentially within the space of weeks.