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Transcript/ScriptFOR USAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: India Pandemic (TV)
HEADLINE: Two Years After World’s Strictest Lockdown, India Springs Back to Normalcy
TEASER: There is Optimism among workers in its Vast Informal Sector as the pre-pandemic buzz returns to its mega cities
PUBLISHED AT: Tuesday, 03/22/2022 at 8:02 am
BYLINE: Anjana Pasricha
DATELINE: New Delhi
VIDEOGRAPHER: P. Pallavi
PRODUCER: Jon Spier
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon, wpm
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:51
VID APPROVED BY: BR
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: There is an accompanying web article.))
((INTRO))
[[Two years ago, India imposed the world’s strictest lockdown prompting an exodus of millions of migrant workers to villages. Now as the pandemic wanes in the world’s second worst hit country, many have returned to its mega cities to resume their small businesses. For VOA, Anjana Pasricha visits markets in the Indian capital to find optimism that the worst may be behind.]]
((NARRATOR))
These jostling crowds do not deter Mukta Kapoor from spending an afternoon shopping in a New Delhi market known to offer bargains.
((Mukta Kapoor, New Delhi Resident)) ((In Hindi))
“Mentally, I feel free of the pressure to always wear a mask or keep a sanitizer in my hand. That constant worry that I should not touch anyone or change clothes when I return home has gone. It’s good till it lasts.”
((NARRATOR))
The pre-pandemic buzz is back in markets as COVID-19 numbers plummet to a two-year low — India has reported about 2,000 daily new infections in recent days.
It is bringing a wave of hope to thousands of shop owners and street vendors who were badly hit as the middle classes worked and shopped online.
Now, a steady stream of customers check out Ashu Arfi’s clothes.
((Ashu Arfi, Garment Stall Owner)) ((In Hindi))
“When people come out of their homes and shop, it helps our economy… Earlier, people used to say, ‘put on a mask,’ but no one bothers now. Customers also feel everything is becoming normal.”
((NARRATOR))
For two years, these migrant workers shuttled between their village homes and New Delhi amid lockdowns imposed during three COVID-19 waves. Even when businesses reopened, income plummeted.
((Nitin Kumar, Hairdresser)) ((In Hindi))
“When I went back to work at the beauty parlor, I used to sit idle the whole day last summer. Very few clients came. I felt everything had come to an end.”
((NARRATOR))
While India’s economy is recovering, restoring livelihoods for the 80% who work in its vast informal sector poses a challenge. Economists say they were already coping with an economic slowdown when the pandemic worsened their plight.
((Arun Kumar, Economist))
“The bottom 60% in India have lost incomes in the last five years since 2015-16 and the top 20% have gained incomes…. No other major economy has such a huge unorganized sector. That is why you never saw this kind of mass migration from the cities to the rural areas in any other of the G-20 (Group of 20) countries.”
((NARRATOR))
But a waning pandemic has triggered optimism.
((Mustaq Ahmed, Ice Cart Owner)) ((In Hindi))
“People no longer hesitate or ask me to wear gloves when I hand ice lollies to them. They accept it easily.”
((Ashu Arfi, Garment Stall Owner in Hindi))
“Within three or four months, business will grow, and work will be good, I hope.”
((NARRATOR))
Whether that hope is fulfilled will depend on the course of the pandemic, which health experts warn is not over yet.
((Anjana Pasricha for VOA News, New Delhi))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 22, 2022 08:35 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
