Hundreds of people across Assam are opening grocery shops as an alternative livelihood during the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19.

After the announcement of lockdown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, lakhs of people of the state and the Northeast faced livelihood problems as all the commercial establishments are closed down and services stopped, except grocery, pharmacy, police, army and medical services, among others.

“I was a vendor and used to set up a makeshift shop in the weekly markets in the tea gardens and rural areas. As the weekly markets have come to a temporary halt till April 14, I quickly began the grocery shop. Ultimately, I have to fulfil my family’s needs,” Krishna Kant Ray, a new grocery shop owner here, told The Telegraph on Saturday morning.

Some young pharmaceutical degree holders are planning to open medical stores. “I turned my tea stall into a grocery shop. I want to serve our people in this way. This new business is helping to run my family also,” Doomdooma resident Amar Moran said. Farid Khan, a tailor of Beesakopie, has been selling grocery items at his tailoring shop, with proper sanitisation and social-distancing measures.

Vendors who were selling chaat, phuchka, momo, rolls, chowmein and other street food items, are facing financial crisis and have started selling essential commodities from their shops, after taking permission from the Tinsukia district administration.

Sudhir, a fast food vendor in Tinsukia town, has been selling potatoes and onions. Shyam of Rupai Siding, who earlier sold phuchkas, has started selling vegetables and grocery items.

“The people started avoiding street food since January. This new venture at least ensures that my children will not go to bed hungry,” Sudhir said.

Several other people are planning to either change their business, service or mode of work to survive.

National Chamber of Commerce, Tinsukia unit, president Hiralal Sharma said: “I appeal to all grocery shop owners, wholesale or retail, to keep minimum profit while selling essential commodities. This is the time to serve humanity by sacrifice and selflessness. They should also come forward to help people not only with food items but also ensure the needy have fuel to cook. We have to be united to play an important role in the fight against coronavirus.”