![Sukumar Shinde, 52, who sells food items and snacks in rural fairs, says, “Because of the lockdown, I had to throw away several food items as they have a shorter shelf life.” / credit: Sanket Jain](https://towardfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMG_9965-326x245.jpg)
Photo Essay: India’s Lockdown Happened Two Years Ago, But the Poor Still Suffer
Far-right Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in March 2020 a 21-day nationwide lockdown to curb a pandemic caused by COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. The lockdown was extended to 67 days, causing 121 million people to lose their jobs within the first month, writes Sanket Jain.