Residents of Bhaderwah are all praise for Safai Karmacharis (sweepers) of Bhadarwah Municipal Committee (BMC), who despite working on meagre remunerations and lacking resources are working overtime to combat the spread of COVID-19.
A contingent of 64 sweepers, only 11 of whom are permanent,start their work early morning to sweep, lift garbage from every spot of thetown, and simultaneously carry out sanitisation of public places, governmentand private buildings.
“Majority of us are daily wagers working on meagreremuneration. But in the given circumstances, we aren’t considering our wagesbut our only motive is to fight coronavirus and contribute in saving our peoplefrom this deadly disease, that is why we have volunteered to work round theclock,” said Sajid Malik, a BMC worker.
“Our families are in constant fear of us getting infectedbut even that doesn’t deter us,” said another worker Ayaz Hussain.
The team of workers wearing face masks and donningprotective suits take turns to sweep streets and roads, carry garbage, collecthousehold waste and spray disinfectant across the city to sanitise it from allinfections.
Some of them enter deep drains with spades to remove anykind of blockade. All this is done in absence of sound protective equipment andmechanical help.
Witnessing their dedication it is perhaps for the first timethat people are lauding their efforts and expressing their gratitude.