Stigma

Recently, the outbreak of coronavirus has created a lot of apprehension among people. People are hesitant to get out of their homes. Many of the employees in private firms are advised to work from home.

Did you know the pain of the people who are under quarantine? Satish was principal of a government high school in a village. Though he was a principal he was so proud of his upper-caste identity. His friend circle was confined to this upper caste only. Once they went to Spain to see their son working there and in his return trip to India, they were praying in fear of corona. When they reached the airport they heard the news that the government has put a restriction on people coming from European countries and Satish was said to be in house quarantine for 14 days under observation. This news spread to every part of his village. He and his wife was totally isolated. After most of their foodstuffs were finished but they could not anticipate food from their neighbor or friends.

They decided to eat a loaf of bread and jams daily till the quarantine finishes but to their surprise, in one morning some bighorn was made near the house. By hearing it he went to the gate and some cooked food in an airtight container and some groceries were there. Along with it, one paper was there which mentions ‘Sir, I am an untouchable and I am very sorry if you feel polluted by giving you food. My apprehension said not to give you but my conscience did not allow.’ None of the friends of Satish had even ventured to know his condition through phone calls also. A Tear of remorse and redemption came from his eyes unknowingly!