It was a situation of acute distress. Nearly ten thousand people returning to their villages during the COVID-19 pandemic had gathered at the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh near Kanha. Exhausted after walking long distances with little or no food, they were desperate for relief. Yet entry could not be granted without completing essential records and complying with pandemic rules.
At this critical moment, senior officials urgently requested Arunoday Sansthaan (AS) to arrange food for the stranded crowd. The organization, along with the district Press Club, had already been active in supporting migrant workers since the early days of the pandemic. True to their reputation, they rose to the occasion.
Abhishek, director of Arunoday, recalls, “As soon as we got the message, we began contacting everyone we knew to cook and arrange food. Those unable to cook contributed dry rations.” He adds, “What might have been difficult in a big city became possible in our small town of Mahoba, thanks to close community linkages. Within three hours, food reached the border, bringing immense relief.”
This was the high point of a wider effort by Arunoday and the Press Club. Despite lacking funds, Abhishek quickly formed a team of members—Jyoti, Chandan, Malkhan, Dharmendra, and Devendra—to organize food packets, medicines, and other essentials. When local resources ran out, he appealed to voluntary sector leaders like Ved Arya and Prasanna Khemaria. Their support enabled AS to continue relief work and later provide livelihood assistance in several villages.
Earlier, Bundelkhand villages where AS was active had been shaken by farmer suicides. Abhishek visited affected families, offering sympathy and exploring ways to help. Conversations revealed that many had suffered from fraudulent loans taken in their names. AS launched a campaign against such fraud, contributing to policy measures that curbed these practices and brought relief.
Around the same time, AS supported Belataal’s handloom weavers, whose livelihoods were disrupted when a corrupt individual replaced genuine khadi with machine-made cloth. Though success was limited, AS’s persistent struggle highlighted the injustice and defended traditional skills.
The organization also campaigned for the rights of panchayat representatives from weaker sections, including women and dalits, who faced obstruction from powerful villagers. Despite difficulties, AS’s support strengthened their role and improved prospects for marginalized elected members.
These examples illustrate the journey of Arunoday Sansthaan, a voluntary organization that has consistently stood by distressed communities in their most difficult times, embodying true solidarity and commitment to justice.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071, and When the Two Streams Met
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