Garbage collector gets a hero’s welcome in India amid coronavirus lockdown

In a surprise show of love and respect, a sanitation worker in the northern Indian state of Punjab was applauded by residents for carrying out the crucial task of cleaning the city to stem the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

sanitation workers

Residents in Nabha city in northern India honour sanitation worker for his commitment to his work amid coronavirus crisis. Source: Twitter

Flowers, applause and garlands. That’s how the residents of a locality in Punjab’s Nabha city welcomed a sanitation worker when he came to collect the garbage on Tuesday.

In a heart-warming video that has surfaced on social media, residents can be seen standing on their terrace and applauding the worker who is busy pulling his waste cart and stops door-to-door to collect the garbage.


 Highlights:

  • Residents of Nabha city in northern India show their respect for frontline sanitary workers
  • Locals receive the worker with applause and shower him with rose petals
  • Punjab chief minister shares the video on Twitter

An otherwise ordinary day turned into an unforgettable surprise, when some of the locals approached the worker, patted his back and garlanded him.

In the background, a local can be heard saying, “What you’re doing, nobody can do.”

The video was also shared by Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Twitter who wrote that “It’s heartening to note how adversity is bringing out the intrinsic goodness in all.”
The video has since garnered 44k views and a mixed response on the microblogging site.

In a befitting response to all frontline workers, a user wrote thank you with an accompanying note that read, “While we remain behind closed doors, they are on the frontline.”
While a majority of netizens praised the gesture, there were also those who commented that locals thanking the workers should have followed social distancing measures.
India is under a nationwide lockdown since March 25 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked all citizens to stay at home to contain the outbreak.

At the time of writing, India reported 1397 confirmed cases of the virus, of which 41 are from Punjab.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. 

If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.

Listen to SBS Punjabi Monday to Friday at 9 pm. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter



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3 min read

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By Avneet Arora

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Garbage collector gets a hero’s welcome in India amid coronavirus lockdown | SBS Punjabi