Good Samaritans help society battle COVID-19 pandemic in the capital
Amit Mishra has been providing the needy, mostly from the middle class with food, medicines, masks, sanitizers, soaps and other essentials during this difficult time
The capital city of Delhi might not have witnessed such traumatic days in recent history. When people were reeling under the deadly second wave of Coronavirus with no help and health infrastructure crumbling, many good samaritans took it upon themselves to extend as much help as they could.
In these trying times, people are confined to their four walls, several of them without work, and battling hard the blues of the pandemic.
During this difficult hour, many NGOs have come forward to help those stranded in the corona-ridden city. Amit Mishra is one who has been providing the middle class of society with food, medicines, masks, sanitizers, soaps and other essentials. The virus- ravaged Delhi has also left daily-wagers in miserable condition.
Mishra makes a living by running an education centre, Saraswati Education; he spends a big chunk of his earning on feeding the hungry in east Delhi; but now it's digging into his savings as there is no work left.
How did you take this initiative?
Last year I saw that a mass exodus of daily wage earners from Delhi with no work and no money. That lot was the worst affected. They without any transport resorted to walking miles to return home. I was deeply moved. Then I decided to alleviate their sufferings by giving them something to survive such catastrophic times.
Is there a reason that you have chosen to help the middle class people unlike the previous year when the novel coronavirus entered India?
Middle class is the section of society that gets sandwiched between the lower and upper strata and it has to suffer in silence. They cannot go about asking for food or standing in long queues as this may embarrass them. Above all, they do not want it be publicized that they need help and they are being helped. When our team approached such families, we realised that they were a lot in numbers and had been living hand-to-mouth. Some of them were even from posh resident colonies but they were apprehensive that if they get out and ask for help their photo might appear in newspapers or on social media.
How do you reach them?
My team members started working as soon as the second wave hit. They provide me with the list of such families whom I reach out on phone and I distribute the 'Corona Care Kit' by myself. I keep their names away from the public domain as well which I find unethical.
The volunteers identified such families in distress who desperately needed food. There were some families who had nothing to eat for days.
Would you continue helping after the corona crisis is over?
Of course, I find myself fortunate enough to help people in pain. God forbid, if bad time befalls them. However, I shall be available round the clock to help them.
Do you feel the financial pinch when you are out to help at such a scale?
I endeavour to help the needy in whatever capacity I can. I feel money crunch sometimes but then I have friends who always become a part of the mission I undertake.
What message, in these fragile times, would you like to convey to people?
I appeal to all to help those who are fighting for bare minimum. Don’t make fun of the impoverished state of these hapless people by filming or clicking their pictures and uploading them on sites which is utterly humiliating for them. They can't but withdraw their outstretched hands in shame when such elements angle for photo opportunity with such tragedy-torn people.
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