The act of giving is rarely seen as simple. Many excellent critiques of the upliftment politics of aid and charity exist, along with incisive critiques of documenting other people's suffering. Such criticisms have been expressed in present times also, about middle class self-aggrandisement of relief work, or reporting on workers' plight as trauma porn. Self-righteousness should not prevent us from reflection on these critiques. That said, I do think there is something different happening around us.

During the Kerala floods, we saw individuals and citizens groups bring creativity, swift-forming networks, efficient structures and foresight to voluntary relief work. In the current crisis, even larger numbers are getting involved—neighbourhood groups, political parties, religious organisations, individuals. Their politically polyglot messages streaming through my social media feed and WhatsApp inbox are really diversity as unity. They are collecting sanitary napkin kits, providing boiled eggs and rotis to the walking workers, starting community farms, supporting artists or sex-workers. Domestic workers who still receive salary and retired pensioners are feeding four or five families around them.