HUBBALLI: The second wave of Covid-19 may have been brutal in its ferocity, but many an unlikely hero has emerged in these testing times, citizens among us who have raised their hand to lend selfless service to those in need.
From providing financial aid to daily wage labourers who have lost their livelihood to providing food to people isolated at home or those in localities that have been sealed down, many Good Samaritans have emerged, lighting hope in the lives of those who have been through a rough patch.
Activists and members of political parties, NGOs and other volunteers have been busy in the past month or so, distributing medicines, food kits, vaporisers to Covid-19 patients quarantined at home.
Functionaries of political parties have also launched ambulance services and providing other services in their personal capacity.
Mahendra Singhi, a member of the Lions Club Hubballi Parivar, said, “We are distributing food kits, each of which weighs 9kg and consists of 21 items.
The contents of the kit can last small families 20 days, while those with more than five members can use it for 15 days.” Mohan Asundi, a former corporator with the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Council, has been distributing vaporisers to Covid-19 patients, ASHA workers and healthcare staff working in four wards in the twin cities.
“ASHA workers have acted a conduit by delivering the vaporisers to patients isolated at home.
Vaporisers help Covid-19 patients recover faster.
We are willing to extend all help we can to those in need, and there are many who do,” said Asundi, who also served as former vice-chairman of Food and Civil Supplies Corporation.
Dr Seema Saadhika of Namma Mitra, an NGO, while helping rid people of the fear of Covid-19, has been consulting patients using telemedicine services.
She is available for consultation round-the-clock.
Dr Seema has also been providing medicine kits to the underprivileged.
Dr Mallikarjun Balikai of the Niramaya Foundation said that the outfit has been involved in distributing vaporisers to police personnel and home guards.
“Steam inhalation can help beat Covid-19 and aid one in staying fit.
Many cops run the risk of contracting the infection given the nature of their duties,” he said.