The Covid19 pandemic and the restrictions put in place for the last two years have affected the livelihood of the makeup artistes, photographers, tent house owners in Assam as they have been struggling to make ends meet due to lack of social events.
Fear about the virus and curbs on the gathering of people have snatched the livelihood of such workers, who used to earn through events like weddings, religious functions before the outbreak of Covid19.
All the wedding and related events have been put to a grinding halt across the country amid the Covid19 crisis.
Many wedding events have been postponed or cancelled for the time being due to the Covid19 pandemic.
Himakshi Talukdar, who worked in Radisson Unisex Saloon at Pathsala in Assam’s Bajali district, said, “It has been a very difficult phase. For the past two years, we have not been able to meet our basic needs.”
“Our earnings have gone down to zero. Like me, many makeup artistes here are suffering huge financial crises due to the Covid restrictions,” Talukdar said.
Photographer Parash Das, owner of JRD Hub studio said, “It is becoming difficult to manage the expenses of our families. Ban on gatherings means lack of livelihood for us.”
“Many youths worked in the field of photography. Now, they have to stay home due to the Covid19,” he added.
Chandra Roy, a tent house owner of Pathsala said, “No event has been held for the last two years.”
“Nothing is allowed. We cannot even pay our helpers. I request for help from the government at this hour of crisis,” he added.