Thane: Parents hospitalized, Shiv Sena worker steps in to take care of infant

Thane: After relatives and friends expressed their inability to care for a 10-month-old baby whose parents had to be hospitalized after they tested positive for Covid-19, political workers and a social activist came to the infant’s aid.
Speaking to TOI from Canada on Monday, Preeti P, the baby’s paternal aunt, said her brother and sister-in-law, who live in Mumbai, were admitted to separate hospitals after testing positive. “Luckily, my niece didn’t contract the infection, but we were worried as no relative or friend could tend to her due to several reasons.”
A family friend informed Mumbai-based activist, Shirin Agarwal, about the situation. Agarwal sent messages on social media to the National Commission for Women and State cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray, who apprised guardian minister Eknath Shinde, following which a local team swung into action.
A team from Shiv Sena’s Thane outfit, led by spokesperson Rahul Londhe, started scouting for guardian homes and nannies. “We were trying to find a trusted accommodation for the baby. After much thought, Eknath Shinde decided to deploy party worker, Reena Mudaliar, as babysitter,” said Londhe.
Convincing the mother wasn’t easy and it was only after assurances from the local police and several others that she relented after which the team booked a suite in a Thane hotel. “Ample supply of baby food, toys and a list of the infant’s favourite videos were readied before she arrived,” added Londhe who, along with MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, escorted the baby to the hotel on Sunday.
Mudaliar, who has agreed to take up the responsibility, will have to stay away from her husband and children for two weeks.
“It is heartening to see how total strangers have come forward to take care of my niece. It reaffirms our faith in humanity,” said the baby’s aunt.