I saw the boys from a distance during my evening walk, moving briskly at an adult-like pace even though they were no more than ten or twelve years of age. It was an unusual sight on this forest road where most prefer not to walk alone, especially not children.
Concerned, I approached them to find out where they were headed. Under these days of lockdown, people aren’t supposed to be out. Even I was taking my chances, though these were quiet roads in rural Gujarat. Curfew began early, at noon. They told me they were headed to Auathi, still quite a distance away, having already walked from Fankhulo. By the end of their journey, these young boys would have walked at least 15 km or more, over many mountains.
When I finally asked them where they were going, they replied that they were going to see their grandmother who wasn’t well. Was it COVID-19? I didn’t ask as they wouldn’t know. For the tribal Adivasis, there would be no internet, no phone, no literacy. I walked a little bit further on with them.
