Hyderabad man helps feed migrant workers, uses social media to aid the stranded

HYDERABAD: Manzoor Akhtar, an Attapur-based construction engineer who hails from Jharkhand, has been helping migrant workers ever since the country came under lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. What is even more heartening is that Akthar is using his personal savings for this noble cause and inspiring those around him to do the same.
Being involved in construction, Akhtar is helping the migrant workers living in Kukatpally, Madhapur, Mallapur, Maheswaram, Shamsabad, and Habsiguda to buy basic grocery products like rice, vegetables and atta.
“Initially, I posted a WhatsApp status of an NGO providing ration and meals during the lockdown to the needy. A number of migrant workers, who are associated with me during my eight-year-long career in the construction industry contacted me and sought my help,” Akhtar told TOI.
“I asked my colleagues and engineers living near these areas to buy the workers the essential food items. Later, I used to pay my friends,” he added.
Gradually, as the word spread he was flooded with requests seeking help with videos of stranded workers across the city. He is now raising funds along with his friends to help more number of migrant workers.
“Most of the migrant workers are from Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. They have lost their jobs at construction sites, hotels and other factories,” said Akhtar.
By Monday, he had already helped 20 migrant workers in Mallapur, around 45 labourers in Shamsabad, 20 in Kukatpally and 50 workers in Habsiguda with the help of the local residents.
“As more and more people are getting in touch with me, I am using social media to get more people involved in this noble initiative. I am willing to spend the money but we need more people across the twin cities to buy the essentials and provide them to the labourers in their areas,” he said.