In UP Covid-19 lockdown helplines, people make the strangest requests

In Gautam Buddh Nagar district, Shankar Singh dials the number for food essentials. The ration is delivered at his doorstep, officials say.

In Uttar Pradesh, it's not yet dawn. A helpline set up after the coronavirus outbreak crackles into life.

There are panic calls for essentials like medicines but some callers demand rasogullas, samosas, and even pan and gutka, admit officials.

The chief minister's helpline number 1076 gets a frantic call from Ram Ratan Pal, who suffers from high blood pressure, that his stock of medicines is exhausted. Officials manning the control room swing into action, arranging their delivery in Lucknow.

In Gautam Buddh Nagar district, Shankar Singh dials the number for food essentials. The ration is delivered at his doorstep, officials