There was excitement to hand deliver the life saving goods, there was anxiety to ensure things went well.
This photo/video shoot was a memorable one for multiple reasons.
We started our day with everyone arriving at EmberLights warehouse and having breakfast. When NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force) realized this was not the routine business of our Vibha volunteer Jeeshant, but being used for CoVid19 relief work, they were very happy. The whole warehouse was filled with Oxygen Concentrators. They opened the 2 different types and understood what each one does.
After loading our vehicles we left for the hospitals. The National Disaster Relief Force team were keen to hand over patients but were very understanding when the doctor advised to not expose patients to outside pathogens.
By 2 pm, we had finished 2 hospitals and only 1 location was pending. Since it was lunch time, we decided to take a break. Due to CoVid19 restrictions, no hotels were open. So we decided to invite the whole team to Keyur Shah’s (one of Vibha’s board. members) house near the last location. We requested a local food vendor to prepare meals, supporting small businesses.
The lunch hour gave such amazing insights into the team. NDRF head, Yadavji confessed that his prejudice about people of Mumbai being self centered seemed incorrect. There are youngsters who really care about giving back to the society, whom he met today.
Our last destination was Shree Manav Seva Sangh. The name tells it all. This 95 year old institution takes care of 130 orphan girls and 75 senior citizens and also provides medical facilities covering 70 specialists to the underprivileged population.
Such was the trustee board that NDRF head Yadavji prayed that such good work never gets blemished and compared it to the Diya that keeps humanity and Indian culture alive amidst the storm of selfishness. His perception of Mumbaikars and NGOs changed.
And my perception of how everyone spoke in the wheel of goodness became more firm. After all, keeping humanity alive needs discipline like NDRF, grassroot organization like Shree Manav Seva Sangh, binding agents like Vibha and backbone support like Vikas Khanna.
In this initiative of Swanivar, Vibha is providing non-medical supplies and medical equipment for the COVID center. Swanirvar is Vibha’s one of the on-ground partners of West Bengal who have worked towards strengthening the school ecosystem through teacher training in Baduria.