Nagpur: Two Indians separated by more than 5,500 km work for a common cause, with regular wagers and even professionals bearing the brunt of Covid-19 lockdown. Aslam Belawala, a businessman based in Nagpur, spends his own savings feeding more than 200 people affected by the lockdown while restaurateur Pradeep Batra, based in Kuala Lumpur, serves 100 Indians stranded in Malaysia.
Batra (62) is from Panipat in Haryana, moved to Kuala Lumpur in 2002. Since 2003, he has run a chain of Indian restaurants. Batra used to operate a textile company before leaving India. His younger brother now looks after that business.
Batra lives with his wife and son who assists in his Malaysian business.”We delivered free meals from Spice Garden outlet in Kuala Lumpur between 1 pm and 3 pm. Many migrants who work on daily wages are stranded here. Another distributor is open for deliveries and takeovers in Johor Bahru, “he told over the phone.
Batra initiated the project two weeks ago and decided to hold it until a motion control order (MCO) is lifted on or beyond May 12. “The Government of Malaysia has announced an extension of the MCO until May 12. We are going to continue offering meals in case MCO continues after May 12, “he said.
Batra, who is president of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Overseas Friends (OFBJP), said the Indian High Commission had asked him to work together to cover more stranded individuals. After the lockout more than 3,000 Indians are left without work, money and medicines.
There were daily wagers working from India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Myanmar, he said. “No-one is denied food,” he said.
With the cooperation of the embassy, Batra said from Saturday he will now be able to expand the meals to more than 200 Indians. Each packet of vegetable food, chapati/rice costs him about 8 Malaysian Ringgit that comes to around Rs140.
Back home, Aslam Belawala served food and snacks in various parts of the city, not only to migrant laboures but also to doctors, paramedics, and cops. Belawala agreed to start distributing food to stranded migrants on Central Avenue, as the lockdown brought its company to a standstill. Gradually he noticed and supported people in distress in other areas and at Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH).
Belawala, who is a wholesaler of clothing, said he hadn’t donated a single paisa. The program comes against the backdrop of NGOs seeking support from the government to make subsidized food grains for them.
“I immediately took food to IGGMCH when the lockdown was declared, as I knew relatives would be left in the lurch. Then I gave out 168 ration kits. I go alone on my two-wheeler with water boxes and food packets distributing them from hospitals to the roadside to ensure social distancing. I take tea and biscuits every day about 5 pm for police, medical workers, doctors at IGGMCH and GMCH, “he said.
Belawala’s personal experience of similar plight motivated him to serve the poor. “God is Awesome. He will reward people in multiples of what I pass on to them. I’m just spending out what he gave. There was a time when we were all tired. We’ll recover next year, Insha Allah, “he said.
