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‘Lionhearted’ Girl Bikes Dad Across India, Inspiring a Nation ‘Lionhearted’ Girl Bikes Dad Across India, Inspiring a Nation
(8 days later)
NEW DELHI — She was a 15-year-old with a simple mission: bring papa home.Jyoti Kumari and her dad had nearly no money, no transport, and their village was halfway across India.And her dad, an out-of-work migrant laborer, was injured and could barely walk.So Jyoti told her dad: Let me take you home. He thought the idea was crazy but went along with it. She then jumped on a $20 purple bike bought with the last of their savings. With her dad perched on the rear, she pedaled from the outskirts of New Delhi to their home village, 700 miles away."Don’t worry, mummy,” she reassured her mother along the way, using borrowed cellphones. “I will get Papa home good.”NEW DELHI — She was a 15-year-old with a simple mission: bring papa home.Jyoti Kumari and her dad had nearly no money, no transport, and their village was halfway across India.And her dad, an out-of-work migrant laborer, was injured and could barely walk.So Jyoti told her dad: Let me take you home. He thought the idea was crazy but went along with it. She then jumped on a $20 purple bike bought with the last of their savings. With her dad perched on the rear, she pedaled from the outskirts of New Delhi to their home village, 700 miles away."Don’t worry, mummy,” she reassured her mother along the way, using borrowed cellphones. “I will get Papa home good.”
During the past two months under India’s coronavirus lockdown, millions of migrant laborers and their families have poured out of India’s cities, desperate and penniless, as they try to get back to their native villages where they can rely on family networks to survive.During the past two months under India’s coronavirus lockdown, millions of migrant laborers and their families have poured out of India’s cities, desperate and penniless, as they try to get back to their native villages where they can rely on family networks to survive.
Many haven’t made it. Some have been crushed by trains; others run over by trucks. A few have simply collapsed while trudging down a long, hot highway, dead from exhaustion.But amid all this pain and sadness now emerges a tale of devotion and straight-up grit. The Indian press has seized upon this feel-good story, gushing about Jyoti the “lionhearted.”Many haven’t made it. Some have been crushed by trains; others run over by trucks. A few have simply collapsed while trudging down a long, hot highway, dead from exhaustion.But amid all this pain and sadness now emerges a tale of devotion and straight-up grit. The Indian press has seized upon this feel-good story, gushing about Jyoti the “lionhearted.”
And a few days ago, the story got even better.And a few days ago, the story got even better.
While resting up in her village, Jyoti received a call from the Cycling Federation of India. Convinced she had the right stuff, Onkar Singh, the federation’s chairman, invited her to New Delhi for a tryout with the national team.While resting up in her village, Jyoti received a call from the Cycling Federation of India. Convinced she had the right stuff, Onkar Singh, the federation’s chairman, invited her to New Delhi for a tryout with the national team.
“She has great talent,” Mr. Singh said.“She has great talent,” Mr. Singh said.
Reached by phone on Friday in her village of Sirhulli, in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, Jyoti said in a scratchy voice barely above a whisper, because she still sounded exhausted: “I’m elated, I really want to go.”Reached by phone on Friday in her village of Sirhulli, in Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, Jyoti said in a scratchy voice barely above a whisper, because she still sounded exhausted: “I’m elated, I really want to go.”
As India struggles with the coronavirus and the severe measures to contain it, the plight of the nation’s migrant workers has become a crisis within a crisis.As India struggles with the coronavirus and the severe measures to contain it, the plight of the nation’s migrant workers has become a crisis within a crisis.
Within hours of a national lockdown imposed on March 25, thousands upon thousands of migrant laborers began to bolt from the cities. Many had gravitated to urban areas for work and lived hand-to-mouth, as rickshaw pullers, tea sellers, brick haulers on construction sites.Within hours of a national lockdown imposed on March 25, thousands upon thousands of migrant laborers began to bolt from the cities. Many had gravitated to urban areas for work and lived hand-to-mouth, as rickshaw pullers, tea sellers, brick haulers on construction sites.
But once the lockdown eviscerated their chances of getting any work, they feared running out of money and food and began long, treacherous journeys back to their home villages.But once the lockdown eviscerated their chances of getting any work, they feared running out of money and food and began long, treacherous journeys back to their home villages.
Scholars estimate that tens of millions are on the move, the biggest migration of human beings across the subcontinent since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.Scholars estimate that tens of millions are on the move, the biggest migration of human beings across the subcontinent since the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.
When it becomes a matter of survival, said Priya Deshingkar, a professor of migration and development at the University of Sussex, migrant laborers “will try to go home, because that is where their real social safety net lies.”When it becomes a matter of survival, said Priya Deshingkar, a professor of migration and development at the University of Sussex, migrant laborers “will try to go home, because that is where their real social safety net lies.”
That’s exactly why Jyoti hit the road.That’s exactly why Jyoti hit the road.
Her father, Mohan Paswan, a rickshaw driver from a lower rung of India’s caste system, was injured in a traffic accident in January and was running out of money even before the lockdown. He was among the legions of migrant workers performing menial jobs in the shadows of Gurugram, a satellite city of New Delhi and home to corridors of shimmering glass towers and many millionaires.Her father, Mohan Paswan, a rickshaw driver from a lower rung of India’s caste system, was injured in a traffic accident in January and was running out of money even before the lockdown. He was among the legions of migrant workers performing menial jobs in the shadows of Gurugram, a satellite city of New Delhi and home to corridors of shimmering glass towers and many millionaires.
Jyoti came out from their village in Bihar to care for Mr. Paswan. She had dropped out of school a year ago because the family didn’t have enough money. Things got even worse after the lockdown, with their landlord threatening to kick them out and then cutting off their electricity.Jyoti came out from their village in Bihar to care for Mr. Paswan. She had dropped out of school a year ago because the family didn’t have enough money. Things got even worse after the lockdown, with their landlord threatening to kick them out and then cutting off their electricity.
When Jyoti came up with the escape plan, her father shook his head.When Jyoti came up with the escape plan, her father shook his head.
“I said, ‘Look, daughter, it’s not four or five kilometers that you will drag me from here. It’s 12-, 13-hundred kilometers. How will we go?’’ he said in a video broadcast by the BBC’s Hindi service.“I said, ‘Look, daughter, it’s not four or five kilometers that you will drag me from here. It’s 12-, 13-hundred kilometers. How will we go?’’ he said in a video broadcast by the BBC’s Hindi service.
The two bought a simple girl’s bike for the equivalent of about $20. On May 8, they set off, Jyoti at the handlebars, dad sitting pillion on back. Jyoti was pretty confident on a bike, having ridden a lot in her village.The two bought a simple girl’s bike for the equivalent of about $20. On May 8, they set off, Jyoti at the handlebars, dad sitting pillion on back. Jyoti was pretty confident on a bike, having ridden a lot in her village.
Many days they had little food. They slept at gas stations. They lived off the generosity of strangers. Jyoti said that except for one short lift on a truck, she pedaled nearly 100 miles a day. It wasn’t easy. Her father is big, and he was carrying a bag.Many days they had little food. They slept at gas stations. They lived off the generosity of strangers. Jyoti said that except for one short lift on a truck, she pedaled nearly 100 miles a day. It wasn’t easy. Her father is big, and he was carrying a bag.
Updated June 24, 2020 Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
As they moved down the long roads under the withering sun, many people teased them, saying it was ridiculous for a girl to pedal while her father sat on the back.As they moved down the long roads under the withering sun, many people teased them, saying it was ridiculous for a girl to pedal while her father sat on the back.
“Father would become upset when he heard such things, but I told him not to worry as people did not know that he was wounded,” Jyoti told an interviewer at The Wire, an Indian publication. (Over the past few days, she has done a lot of interviews).“Father would become upset when he heard such things, but I told him not to worry as people did not know that he was wounded,” Jyoti told an interviewer at The Wire, an Indian publication. (Over the past few days, she has done a lot of interviews).
After they arrived in their village last weekend, her father went into a quarantine center — many states in India have tried to sequester migrant laborers returning from the cities, to stop the coronavirus from reaching deep into the countryside. How well that is working is unclear.After they arrived in their village last weekend, her father went into a quarantine center — many states in India have tried to sequester migrant laborers returning from the cities, to stop the coronavirus from reaching deep into the countryside. How well that is working is unclear.
As the lockdown has relaxed, infections are rising quickly. India has reported around 120,000, its curve one of the steepest among large countries. Many health experts believe the real numbers are even higher but hidden because of India’s relatively low rates of testing.As the lockdown has relaxed, infections are rising quickly. India has reported around 120,000, its curve one of the steepest among large countries. Many health experts believe the real numbers are even higher but hidden because of India’s relatively low rates of testing.
Jyoti’s mother convinced village elders to let her quarantine at home. She was exhausted and soon besieged by reporters.Jyoti’s mother convinced village elders to let her quarantine at home. She was exhausted and soon besieged by reporters.
Then, a few days later, on Thursday morning, she got The Call.Then, a few days later, on Thursday morning, she got The Call.
The Cycling Federation of India, which scouts young talent and sends the best to international competitions, including the Olympics, tracked her down through a journalist. Mr. Singh, the chairman, said he had been moved by how far she pedaled with a heavy person on the back.“And luggage,” Mr. Singh was quick to add.The Cycling Federation of India, which scouts young talent and sends the best to international competitions, including the Olympics, tracked her down through a journalist. Mr. Singh, the chairman, said he had been moved by how far she pedaled with a heavy person on the back.“And luggage,” Mr. Singh was quick to add.
The federation is planning to bring her to New Delhi via “something comfortable, like an AC train,” he said, referring to the air-conditioned service. She will then do a series of cycling tests.The federation is planning to bring her to New Delhi via “something comfortable, like an AC train,” he said, referring to the air-conditioned service. She will then do a series of cycling tests.
As for how much she actually rode versus the help she received from trucks, Mr. Singh acknowledged that maybe the story had become a bit stretched, totally understandable in times like these.As for how much she actually rode versus the help she received from trucks, Mr. Singh acknowledged that maybe the story had become a bit stretched, totally understandable in times like these.
But one thing was not in doubt, Mr. Singh said.But one thing was not in doubt, Mr. Singh said.
“She has guts.”“She has guts.”
Jeffrey Gettleman reported from New Delhi and Suhasini Raj from Lucknow, India. Hari Kumar contributed reporting from New Delhi.Jeffrey Gettleman reported from New Delhi and Suhasini Raj from Lucknow, India. Hari Kumar contributed reporting from New Delhi.