Financial distress in the times of Lockdown 4.0 claims lives and dreams

Gujaratis are known for their ‘dhandha’ and never-say-die spirit. But two months into this unprecedented health and economic crisis, many are being crushed by fear – the fear of being unable to pay rent and bills despite zero deals, the fear of losing their businesses and homes. The multiple extensions of Covid lockdown has left traders and businessmen with no money, no workers, and very little hope for a better future.

The despair is everywhere, witnesses Mirror

BY Nischal Sanghavi, Asik Banerjee , Ancela.Jamindar

■ CASE 1
Depressed factory owner hangs himself
aced with uncertainty and a bleak future after almost two months of lockdown, a small-time factory owner in Rajkot committed suicide on the day he opened his factory. With no income during the lockdown and rising loans, reality hit hard when an already depressed Ashok Bhanderi (31) opened his factory premises on Tuesday.

The migrant workers who were employed at his factory had already left for their native in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. According to investigating officer ASI V B Sukhanandi, Bhanderi manufactured small plastic parts for the construction hardware industry in Rajkot’s Kothariya area.

The factory, Kanhaiya Plastic, was under lockdown for over 50 days and the 8 migrant labourers who worked with him had left for UP and Bihar. Members of Ashok’s family had revealed to the police that Ashok was under tension for the past few days because his house and factory were both under loan, for which he was paying instalments from his factory’s earnings. On Tuesday when the lockdown opened, Ashok and his younger brother Umesh who had factories facing each other reopened them.

Sukhanandi, who is posted at Rajkot’s Aji Dem police station, said, “After Ashok opened the factory he realised that all his workers had left for their respective native places. He sat alone in the factory, while his brother had left for some task after dropping him. When his calls remained unanswered, Umesh returned around 11 am to check what had happened. He found Ashok hanging from the ceiling in the room where the labourers worked on the first floor.”

As per the police probe, tension of loan repayments, ruined business due to the lockdown and migrant workers having left had put tremendous pressure on Ashok. He is survived by his wife Rina, a son and a daughter. He lived in joint family with his father and brother’s family on Rajkot’s Vavdi Road. Umesh told Mirror, “Our house and factory are both under loans. We have already paid a part of it, still a portion remains to be paid. Even if we skip an instalment due to the lockdown, it is we who have to ultimately pay the loan. Our workers were really good. They never asked for wages during lockdown, but we provided them with food, ration and aid.

“Once trains to their native places started, they left. Realisation dawned after the factory reopened. We don’t know when they will come back, and how will production start. My brother was a soft-spoken person and must have felt depressed by the pile-up of problems due to the lockdown.”

■ CASE 2
35-year-old businessman kills self due to rising debt

When Mukesh Yadav got up from his afternoon sleep, the last thing he expected to see was the body of his 35-year-old son Mayur hanging from the ceiling fan in the next room. Overwhelmed by his failing business prospects and mounting debt, the businessman had ended his life, leaving behind his old father who had raised him as a single parent. The Yadavs had moved into the flat in Sahajanand Residency in Nikol six months ago. Mayur ran a small business. He would purchase embroidered goods from the manufacturer and sell it to big shops. However, he had been under stress for quite some time as his business was not doing well.

The ongoing lockdown made the going tough as all the markets had closed down and he had no idea how he would repay the money he had borrowed for his business, Mukesh told police. ASI Ramsinh of Nikol police station told Mirror, “Mukesh told us that Mayur was under tension as his business was failing. He did not know the exact amount of money Mayur had borrowed.”

Life had not been kind to Mayur. His parents separated when he was a teenager. Since then, his father had been taking care of him. Mayur married some years ago but he separated from his wife following some domestic dispute.

The Yadavs earlier lived in Krishnanagar but due to financial issues, they sold off that residence and bought the house in Nikol. Life had settled into a rhythm the past few months. So, Mukesh had no idea that his son would take such an extreme step.

Ramsinh said, “On Tuesday afternoon, both father and son had their lunch around 1.30 pm after which both went to sleep. Mukesh woke up around 3.30 pm and saw his son hanging in his room. He took down the body and called 108. The police was informed later and a case of accidental death was filed.”

Chairman of Sahajand Residency 1 Mahendrasinh said, “The father and son came to live in our society around six months back. I interacted with them during transfer process but they usually kept to themselves. Following Mayur’s death, their relatives took Mukesh away to their home in Gomtipur.”

■ CASE 3
For survival of her family, 25-yr-old grad sells fruits

Simran Mohel gets curious glances from those who come to buy fruits in the busy Ambawadi bazaar. Clad in t-shirt and jeans, she defies the image of a regular fruit vendor. The 25-year-old, who manages a cart full of melons, turned to selling fruits after the lockdown forced her family to dip into their savings. The Mohels still cannot understand what happened. Before the lockdown, Simran, who has a BBA degree and is a certified cosmetologist, was getting ready to leave for Mumbai for training. She had landed a job as a beauty therapist on a cruise ship whose operator is based in London. The lockdown brought her plans to a jarring stop.

Simran’s father, who ran a chole-kulche stand outside Law Garden, has not earned a single rupee since the lockdown. Staying in a rented house in Nehrunagar, the family ran out of cash a month ago. Fortunately, their landlord has not demanded rent and is supporting them in their struggle for survival.

Simran’s brother works at a dairy in Ambawadi but his earnings are not enough to keep the family afloat. Seeing her family’s finances battered by the extended lockdown, the 25-year-old decided to take matters into her own hands. To make ends meets, she decided to sell watermelons and muskmelons.

The father buys fruits early morning from the wholesale market and Simran sells them from a hand-cart in Ambawadi. She has earned about Rs 10,000 in the past 25 days.

Talking about the struggles of common people, she has one request for the prime minister and the Centre: “Please think of middle-class families who have loans to repay even though they are facing job or pay cuts. Please think of us in your up-coming decisions