Nepal is now passing through the hard times owing to the nationwide lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The restriction of mobility of people has thrown the normal life out of gear. The lockdown has made the life of those who are living from hand to mouth very miserable. The economic crisis, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, also makes the litmus test of our societal values and norms. During the crisis, the people are often concerned about their own security and go for collecting the basic items required for their survival. However, this is also the moment when people show their compassionate nature and help those in the dire need of support such as food and shelter. Despite the onslaught of modernisation that prioritises material comforts over the humanitarian deeds, Nepali society has not lost its inherent altruistic nature that manifests when the existential crisis shakes it to the core. The concepts of dan (donation), paropakar (helping others) and punya (virtuous deeds) are embedded in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, inspiring people to help the poor and vulnerable ones in the times of humanitarian crisis.

During the earthquake, many had lent a helping hand to those who lost their dear ones, houses and property. Now too, many kind-hearted people have come up to support those hard hit by the lockdown. Numerous philanthropic organisations and people have shown the spirit of volunteerism and distributed relief materials to workers and the poor, who are unable to manage their daily needs. A large number of people, who left Kathmandu for their home villages and suffered thirst and hunger, got support from the local people on their way to destination. This is an example that all people are not selfish, and virtuous people are always there to bring smile to the faces of the destitute.

According to a news report of this daily, a group of youths from Sundar Tole of Jorpati has demonstrated their Samaritan heart and has been feeding the poor and underprivileged every day, from 10 to 12 in the morning and 5 to 7 in the evening. The local youths wrap packets of cooked rice, pulses and curry and distribute the items to them. They rose to the challenge after they saw the many daily-wage earners and disadvantaged people lose their livelihoods. Sometimes these wretched fellows were forced to look for food in the streets and scavenge garbage to find something to eat. The painful scene was enough to prick the conscience of any sympathetic persons.

In the beginning, the youths managed everything on their own and paid for the food items from their pockets. But later, many benign individuals joined them and donated for the arrangement of food for the poor. In this way, many destitute persons were protected from starvation. The marginalised people do not have automatic access to basic needs of life – food, shelter and clothes – by merely mentioning their rights in the constitution. Given that the state has not enough resources and capacity to provide relief to its citizens in the time of crisis, it is imperative to promote the human virtues and feelings of services among the people for they serve as the best defence of justice when the formal laws and mechanisms alone can’t address the public plight in the time of emergency.