The pandemic, which has had a negative impact on the economy of the world, seems to have had a positive impact on a group of street dwellers here.

Over 100 people, who used to spend their life at public places in the town, were picked up and lodged at a special camp set up at a government college near the new bus stand during the last week of March when the lockdown was enforced.

Immediately, their personal appearance changed for the better with hairdressing and supply of new clothes. As days rolled on, their day-to-day activities have undergone a change thanks to efforts of Renewal Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

The street dwellers realised the importance of personal hygiene and learned to lead a happy life by remaining united with others. Slowly they learnt to keep the environment neat and tidy and came forward enthusiastically to plant and rear saplings on the college premises to make their stay at the special camp fruitful.

“The change in their lifestyle had indeed made some realise their mistake of detaching themselves from their near and dear ones,” said Veeramani of Renewal Foundation. Last week, a woman, who had left her house at Needamangalam in a fit of rage over a domestic issue a few months ago and brought to the camp along with others, preferred to go back to her home. Subsequently, she got reunited with her family.

Stating that efforts were being initiated to fulfil the aspirations of some other destitute persons to get reunited with their near and dear, he said the organisation was planning to identify safe and secure place of stay for these persons post lockdown as it did not want them to be left back on the roads again.