IIM women alumni at the forefront of the fight against COVID, helping in sending migrant workers home

The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on all of us. It goes without saying that some people have felt this impact much more than the others. The heartbreaking visuals accompanying the news of stranded migrant workers have left an imprint on our minds. Between the hot weather, the rough conditions and the lockdown measures, most of these people have families travelling along with. In a sad turn of events, many lives were also lost in this exodus.

Hearing these stories and seeing the plight of these workers, must have invoked sympathy in many citizens, but very few acted. However, women alumni of IIM decided to act on it. Calling themselves the IIM Women for Social Action Group, they have worked tirelessly towards bringing these workers home with dignity.

In the pandemic hit world, the movement of such a large number of people requires a lot of coordination and planning. From medical certificates to food and water, all the arrangements were done by IIMWSA. They collaborated with actor Sonu Sood in their efforts and created the campaign 'Help Migrants Reach Home with Dignity'. The funds collected by the campaign are being used to transport the migrants back to their home states. It arranges for identification, transportation, food, documentation, etc.

These migrant workers had initially moved to cities in search of a source of livelihood. Many people in India migrate to other states in order to avail better opportunities. Unlike others, however, these migrants face many more uncertainties. When the lockdown was initiated, they were deserted, jobless, and away from their homes. With no failsafe measures or buffer to support them, they were in a desperate position.

Within 12 days, the campaign was able to raise 58.6 lakhs, exceeding their original goal of 50 lakhs. After being able to transport over 400 migrants in the first phase and over 300 in the second, a total of 700+ migrants have benefitted from the campaign.

The IIM Women for Social Action Group (IIMWSA), began in March, with a 10-member coordination team. They approached the larger IIM alumni network all over the world. With over 200 members, the group has been actively trying to tackle a number of social problems. They are responsible for the running of the Kitchen Project in Dharavi to feed migrants and the underprivileged, as well as addressing the water shortage issue in Jawhar and other areas.

“The agility with which the IIM women’s team has supported the cause of the migrants and provided volunteer assistance has helped our on-ground efforts tremendously,” Mr. Sood said.

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