‘1232 Km’: Vinod Kapri’s documentary migrants returning home during the 2020 lockdown is now a book

By the time we entered Bhimnagar, it was pitch dark. Ritesh tried to show some enthusiasm, and asked a middle-aged man passing by, “Brother, is there any cycle puncture shop nearby?”

He knew the more time they wasted in this small town, the more difficult it would be to cross it and then they would have no option but to spend the night here. More than this fact, it was the lost kilometres that bothered the group. They knew the entire team would fall short of their planned daily coverage by at least 30 kilometres, and they would have to cover it the next day to stay on course.

“There is one, but it’s closed due to the lockdown,” the man replied. “I think you’ll find an open shop in Chandausi.”

“How far is Chandausi?” Ritesh was now concerned.

“Maybe 4 kilometres, but even there, people are following the lockdown rules,” the man said.

“So where does the person who owns this cycle repair shop live?”

“He lives nearby, in the masjid lane.”

The moment Ritesh heard this, his eyes lit up. “Oh, good!” he said. “Brother, you have given me great news. Now give me his name and address.”

“I don’t have the address. Carry on for 200 metres and then take…

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