Letter in Lockdown by Tara Projects, India
Artisans at Tara Projects demonstrate sari embroidery.
Earlier this month, ethical retailer So Just invited its artisan communities to write a letter to people in the Global North, outlining the reality of life as an already struggling community in the face of Covid-19. Tara Projects is one of the biggest Fairtrade producer organisations in the world, working with artisans in Delhi, UP, Haryana and Rajisthan; supporting education and vocational training and providing affordable health care and medical insurance and health education to those who need it most. Here is what they had to say about living under lockdown in India.
“It is a very strange and frustrating experience to be confined to homes. We hope it will not become a long journey and that the global ordeal will come to an end soon. It is important for all of us to be optimistic in these extra ordinary times. We know that situation is difficult in Europe, especially in France, Italy and Spain. We are in touch with friends. It is very heavy to see people dying in large numbers. It is a very helpless worrying situation in USA too. We hope in UK the situation is under control. We pray for the good health of all.
Most of our Fair Trade partners have shut down their operations. It is going to have a direct negative impact soon in the lives of so many producers. We can already feel the heat of uncertainty and insecurity.
In mid March, we realised that situation was already becoming difficult. At first, government was a bit slow but soon geared up to prepare for the unseen enemy. We had curfew and partial lockdown in many cities all over the country. But soon the situation changed with the identification of infected patients, especially those who returned back from China and Europe. On 22nd of March, the complete nationwide lockdown was declared. Our lives have changed overnight with panic and fear. Complete lockdown is hard but important in view of the poor health infrastructure in India.
All shops, industry, transportation and offices have closed down. We also had to close Tara offices, workshops completely. No actions. There are instructions to everybody to remain inside. There was a series of information given by the authorities, with the reality that there was no cure except social distancing and to remain at home.
Due to different cultural backgrounds many people, especially the migrant workers, were not able to understand the situation. It resulted in the large exodus of migrant daily wage labourers from many cities. I think government was not prepared for the scale of exodus. Since there was no transportation available, it was a great hardship for the migrant labourers and their families. They just wanted to run away as they have no food and jobs. Many were stranded for several days in open with nothing. Those who could not leave took refuge in shelter homes. These homes have become crammed. It was more about their survival and uncertainty ahead than the lethal Corona infection.
During the last few days, some of our community workers and the volunteers of Fair Trade network came forward to distribute food and the surgical masks. Often, social distancing become a challenge, as there are too many people in need of food and shelter. But it is a much bigger problem of survival for millions of people. Chaotic situation indeed, but all try to help each other. For now thousands of migrant labourers have gone back or are on the move to their states, villages - many by walking. Nobody knows so far if some got infected. Also, they were stopped on the borders and were not welcomed in their own villages due to fear of infection.
Our government has been sharing real time statistics about the number of infected persons, in quarantine, deaths occurred and those who have recovered. Since it is a huge population, and there is no possibility to have required infrastructure and facilities for the tests. it is possible that more people might be infected. Thousands of people are in quarantine. Some people are not accepting or cooperating social distancing and the government. guidelines so the police are using strict measures to implement lockdown.
Teams of medical doctors and health workers visiting certain areas for checking people have also been attacked. In the meantime, cases are increasing each day. Today, Delhi government declared that they do not have enough PPEs and ventilators in case there is the surge in the number of patients. We very much hope that some miracle will spare humanity. Otherwise, it will be a disaster. But we know that miracle is a mirage.
Government says that it plans to open the lockdown in phases, but we have doubts. A second lockdown is expected if the cases surge. The cities with more infection cases may have an extended lockdown. The government is also under tremendous pressure due to huge negative impact on the economy.
Very difficult times ahead for Tara also. Most of the orders are reduced or cancelled. There is great uncertainty and hardly any work for the next several months in view of the difficult situation in Europe and USA. We are not sure how we are going to survive with the regular costs. It is unimaginable as we never confronted such a difficult situation earlier. All the colleagues are at home. Due to the nature of our work, it is not possible to work from home. Very few of us are able to do only some communication via internet/mails. Many small industries have already shutdown and many will disappear soon. Extremely difficult times. Prices are also rising of the basic household items We are now thinking to convert some of our workshops to produce the masks which will remain in demand in local market for next months, as there is already a shortage and the prices are fluctuating.
We intend to sell these at breakeven so the artisans can earn the livelihood and at the same time would cater to the societal need at large ...
Central as well as the state governments are also trying to help the domestic migrant labourers, but it is not enough. Those who have ration cards are provided with wheat, rice and some lentils and can stay in government shelter houses depending on the availability. Civil society is also helping. But you have to understand the magnitude of the problem. It is not possible for the Government to help everyone. Thousands are bound to suffer. Survival is the biggest question for many today.
In the slums also the situation is no different. Not easy to maintain social distancing there. Awareness is lacking. People are trying to help each other as much as possible. It seems unlikely that people will get back their jobs as many of the factories will be forced to close down. Revival is going to be very difficult.
We are trying our best to keep in touch with the people through telephone, whatsApp calls and groups. There is no other way due to lockdown. Very few Community workers are able to come out and they have been helping. We will ill send you some images soon. Our actions are limited. We ourselves have limited means. People are always in need of financial support. Difficult at this time due to the stoppage of any revenue generation possibilities. Yesterday, we again organised a community kitchen for 200 persons in Badarpur area. Some community workers from Tara and few local volunteers were involved in cooking and distributing the food.
We are in the process to write to several friends seeking their support for the producer community. But it is not easy as the pandemic is affecting everywhere. Let us be courageous and determined. We are together and are sure that we will rise from this tough situation.
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Tara Project makes for ethical marketplace SoJust Shop, a UK-based initiative that is currently looking at ways to support some of its most vulnerable artisan communities through the crisis.
The solution was to ask them to design a product, to be produced just as things ‘return to normal’ - available to pre-purchase now here; ALL profits will go directly back to the artisan groups to help sustain them through this period.
In addition, voluntary donations will equate to a specific staple item for a family to buy – for example the cost of a bag of rice, or a basket of vegetables.
SoJust is committed to transferring all of the profits and anything additional, back to the groups as soon as possible, so that the the women and their families can at least buy the basics they need.
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