Bhubaneswar, Jan. 2 -- The Covid-19 pandemic and consequent curbs like lockdown have left thousands of people jobless. Many have been forced to change their profession and take up odd jobs to earn a livelihood.

In the process, as unorganised sector and labour class took the hit, a similar crisis struck the family of an 11-year-old boy Umashankar Choudhary.

Dipu as he is now fondly known across the alleys of the Millennium city lives with his family in Jaunliapatty area of Cuttack. He is a student of Class 5 in Municipal Model High School in Choudhury Bazar.

Cladding a half-jacket and riding a cycle laden with a bag containing a thermos kettle full of hot tea and paper cups, Dipu comes out of his house every morning and evening to sell ...