When the city went into a complete lockdown, Mahesh Gupta, 33, who has been a fitness trainer for more than a decade, had no idea that he would struggle to purchase medications and the special diet required for his one-year-old daughter who is lactose intolerant. Gupta is among the city's fitness trainers and gym owners, who are frustrated with their financial troubles, and have planned a peaceful protest outside Matoshree, the chief minister's private residence, on October 19 to voice their demands.

'Had to borrow money'

Gupta's daughter has not been able to drink cow or buffalo milk due to an allergic reaction. "She needs a special kind of milk called Isomil (a soy-based product) which costs around R5,000 per month. My other daughter goes to school and I have to pay her fees as well. I have not received a salary for the past seven months and have had to borrow money from friends and relatives. But how long can I do that? It's a question of survival now," he said.