Volunteers step in to pitch in with free food, oxygen to Covid-19 patients in Ludhiana

LUDHIANA: Of the many many challenges in front of the authorities in fighting the Covid-19, feeding the hungry remains a tough one. Extending a helping hand in such a scenario are city denizens who are preparing langar for Covid-19 patients and families that are facing a crisis of food scarcity. Volunteers, both men and women, are preparing and packing food on a mass scale in the kitchen with community help to distribute them among the needy people.
Patients can now call a helpline number set up by volunteers and get not only free food, but also oxygen after producing the Covid-19 positive report or recommendation by doctor.
Vibhav Jain from Jain Amar Foundation, who has feeding people from May 1, said, “We are providing packed food for Covid-19 affected families in Ludhiana with delivery timings from noon to 1.30pm for lunch and from 5pm to 7pm for dinner. We started from May 1, and served over 1,300 thalis till now — 350 thalis to 100 families in a day. It is totally free of cost and they need to send Covid report with a copy of Aadhaar card, only then the order will be accepted.”
Iskcon Shri Jagganth temple is also delivering free food for Covid patients. The application form could be filled opens at 8am and 8pm and the food is delivered next day between 11am and 3pm.
Rajesh Garg, president of Iskcon Ludhiana Covid Food Service, said, “It’s been a week that we have started this and we are serving over 500 thalis in a day in hospitals and to families that are not able to cook. We are serving free of cost, including delivery to almost 25 areas, but in the outskirt areas, people are getting delivery through paid apps. We will continue the service under the project ‘food for life’ of Iskcon temple.”
To supply oxygen, a few foundations and business houses have stepped in. One such is Vardhman Steels. To get oxygen refills, one has to carry Aadhaar card, Covid report and authorised doctor’s oxygen demand letter with the patient.
Vice-chairman and MD of Vardhman Steels, Sachit Jain said, “We were supplying oxygen to the needy people and we have given around 20,000 cylinders to government hospitals, including over 1,500 to individuals. A week ago, we have stopped the service to civil hospital after knowing that a middlemen were charging full from hospital authorities. Now, we are giving free to army hospitals and will supply further with nod of administration. I am thankful to the staff of 60-70 people working in the company including workers, maintenance people, security, and delivery employees, as they are working 14 to 16 hours on daily basis so that people can be helped in this time.”
According to Jain, as the administration has issued a notice stating that no doctor can prescribe oxygen for home use, they have stopped supply to individuals. “We cannot give without doctor’s prescription,” he added.
Jain International Trade Organisation’s (JITO) secretary Rakesh Jain said, “We are providing free oxygen service for those who have been advised oxygen therapy at home by physicians We have ordered 10 machines and we have received three so far and all are occupied. Machine needs to be picked and returned with recommendation of JITO member and any damages to the machine will have to be paid for by the family or referral. Also, a refundable security deposit of Rs 25,000 is compulsory. The minimal charges are Rs 300 per day for one to five days and Rs 800 per day if the patient has to use for six to 14 days. The patient has to compulsory return on the 15th day. The expenses of disposable accessories will be borne by the patient.”