Nestled within the forests of Mulugu district — about 200km km from Hyderabad — the tiny hamlet of Neelam Thogu was brought to its knees when the pandemic struck. The Gutti Koya tribals of this nondescript settlement lost their jobs and, with limited resources, were left struggling to plate up one square meal for their families.
Then, 26-year-old Osmania University student Esram Santhosh turned up. The cyber law student, who had returned to his home in Narlapur in Mulugu district after his hostel shut down, landed at the hamlet with essential supplies.
Amid the relief work, Esram realised there was another crisis looming large over the 150-people-stron