Port Blair, Dec. 4: The wrath of COVID-19 has bought the very existence of humanity to a standstill, affecting almost all the sections of society world over. Among the worst hit are the poor people like street vendors who make a living from their petty fast food kiosks/carts on a daily basis.
One among them is Mr. MD Sabir who sells clay cups and plates in Port Blair. He supports a family of 7 members, including his wife three daughters and two sons. COVID-19 hit the family income hard and consumed all savings. The family was forced to survive on single base meal a day that too only to chapattis, onion and salt, states his teary eyed wife.
She states that she would not ever forget the days when her children had to sleep empty stomach for many nights.
A ray of hope emerged when Sabir came to know from his friend about the PM SVANidhi scheme. He applied for the same in PBMC office. The working capital loan of Rs 10000 bought him much needed respite. He purchased crockery stocks for his business, paid his outstanding home rent, returned the money borrowed from his friends and bought ration for his family.
He says that the PM SVANidhi is a scheme for poor people and it has brought them relief when they needed it the most. With the token assistance, he has been able to weave his life back in shape.