With four hours’ notice, the Prime Minister announced a nation-wide lockdown in March 2020. While those who watched the news from the comfort of their homes could ably sleep over it, thousands of migrant labourers were left with no other choice but to walk home — covering distances that marathons don’t, forget any monetary compensation. Among them was Jamlo Makdam, a 12-year-old who worked in the chilli fields of Kannaiguda village in Telangana. On April 15, she began her 150-km journey to reach her village in Bijapur, Chattisgarh. She never made it home. About 50 km away from her destination, she died of exhaustion.

While some kids struggled with online classes, child labourers like Jamlo had to walk 150 km to reach home. Pics courtesy/Puffin Books