For the last two months, we were praying for train tickets but couldn’t succeed. Flight tickets was something not in even in our dreams. Today, all seems unreal. I will be travelling for the first time in a plane. I am so happy that finally I get to go home,” says Manju Devi.
Manju Devi is a migrant from Ranchi, Jharkhand in Mumbai.
For many like Manju Devi, it was an emotional moment when they arrived at the Mumbai International airport to board their Air Asia flight from Mumbai to Ranchi.
This was made possible after the alumni association of National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore, along with NGOs and activists gathered funds for air tickets for 180 migrant workers in Mumbai to Ranchi.
Speaking to India Today TV, Priyanka Raman of the NLSIU alumni association, said, “We knew that there were many migrants in the city who were living in hard conditions and were desperate to leave for their home town. Our activist association had the list of migrants and since train services have become an issue, we decided to send them by air. The entire fund for air fare and transportation was arranged by the alumni association.”
As they left for their home, many were happy at the departure terminal and some who swore never to return. “I am a driver. But now there is no work, so I am leaving and won’t return. There will be problems back at my place as well but I am willing to work doubly hard but I will not return. For the last two months, I faced so many problems that forced me to take this decision,” said Naushad Khan.
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