They toiled through Covid to reduce misery of others

NT Correspondent

The Covid-19 pandemic brought grief to many families, but it also brought out some heroes who worked selflessly in helping people face the tragedy.

Covid Warriors emerged from the people to help distribute food, medicines and ration kits. They also attended thousands of calls and arranged for beds.

On Sunday, hundreds of such Covid warriors were felicitated by R. Gundu Rao Foundation in an event held at R. Gundu Rao Sports Complex in Seshadripuram. Umesh Babu, a member of the foundation, told NewsTrail, “In association with Akshaya Patra Foundation, we distributed mid-day meals to about 7,000 people every day during the nationwide lockdown in 2020. Ration kits were given to about 53,000 families during the first wave and 43,000 families during the second wave.”

The foundation also focussed on vulnerable groups like Asha workers, auto drivers, pourakarmikas, temple priests and differently-abled people.

Dharshan Nataraj was one of the 640 volunteers who were honoured with a certificate and a wall clock presented by Dinesh Gundu Rao. He owns a business and is a regular volunteer with R Gundu Rao Foundation. “I had helped with food distribution during the lockdown. We are very happy to be recognised and honoured,” he said.

Pushpa, a home-maker, joined the foundation’s initiatives when the pandemic hit. She took part in food distribution, helped deliver medicines and also arranged Covid beds. “Through the foundation, we were able to understand BBMP’s process and it helped us coordinate better. Our MLA himself attended calls for about a week” she said. Pushpa told NewsTrail that she was involved in arranging 358 beds and distributing 900 home isolation kits. “We took precautions like wearing gloves and PPEs while going out,” she added.

Saravanan, a resident of Srirampura and a volunteer, told NewsTrail that over a hundred volunteers managed the call centre working in three shifts. “Felicitating us has hopefully inspired others also to serve,” he said.

Umesh Babu informed that the foundation is continuously involved in skill training for unemployed youth and women, and also helps in easing the process of obtaining documents related to pensions, loans, etc. for the people of the constituency.