The pandemic has uprooted lives. among the worst hit are kids from needy homes, many of whom are being forced to abandon studies and work, or juggle the two. S L Shanth Kumar on childhoods interrupted
Subhan Shaikh (15) knows nothing about the pandemic’s global impact on the economy. But he knows all too well how it has left his family in penury. These days, he meanders in the lanes of Chor Bazar, selling tea at scrap shops from 8am till noon, and 5pm to 8pm.
His father abandoned the family when Subhan was three. Before the pandemic, Subhan’s mother worked on school buses, chaperoning kids. She earned Rs 7,000 a month. Now, online school has left her jobless. So Subhan had to pick up the kettle to sell “chai” his mother prepares at their tiny home near Byculla railway quarters. It earns them Rs 300 on a good day.
A student of Anjuman Islam School, CSMT, Subhan is set to begin class 9. But he’s not sure if he’ll find the time for classes. The one smartphone at home is shared by his sisters. Also, Subhan’s focus is on how to juggle his new job of selling tomatoes with selling tea.
One of Subhan’s customers to whom he delivers tea had this to say: “In the one year that he’s getting me tea, I’ve seen him grow tall.” Well, he’s also grown in maturity, way beyond his years.
