The Sangh immediately set in motion a country wide support system. "All Swayamsevaks are urged to plan to form small teams and engage people on the need for cleanliness, health and awareness in society. They should also arrange for distribution of food materials to the needy," said Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi, RSS National General Secretary. "Be in regular contact with the local administration and public representatives to understand their expectations and provide the necessary assistance. Also, fully co-operate in the implementation of the decisions taken by the government," he added.
Welfare initiatives were conducted only after close liaison with the administration and the local leaders. As a first step, the organising committees in all states, cities and districts took care to restrict the number of volunteers working outdoors to barest minimum. Proper passes for the volunteers were acquired. Those working outside were trained to maintain all prescribed medical norms in the strictest manner. People who were not working on ground came up liberally with financial support and organising of the food and essentials packets etc.
Packets having essential items like rice, flour, pulses, sugar, oil, basic spices used in cooking, salt, tea, soap were made and distributed to the needy nationwide. Cooked food was provided in places where the facility was not available. Help lines were established that took down the problems, not only of their own areas but across the nation and the information was exchanged in a very fast and efficient manner. Main focus was on old people, students, children and those with serious health issues.
Those requiring emotional support and motivation were spoken to and inspired to feel secure.
Wherever the administration has come up with a request for some item like masks, Sangh workers got down to producing them locally. Lakhs of masks have thus been provided, when hospitals have called for blood Sangh volunteers have responded to the call.
The Sangh did some sterling work in the domain of giving information about the medical norms to be followed. Everybody, especially those less educated, were told about the need to maintain social distance, wash hands regularly, maintain cleanliness and other medical statutes. Social media, personal interactions, posters, loudspeaker messages and many other means were put to use for this purpose.
Very silently and steadfastly, hundreds of thousands of Sangh Swayamsevaks (Volunteer workers) have been working. While providing aid, no differentiation is being done in grounds of caste, creed, type of work etc. Need is the only parameter considered. The vast experience that the organisation in extending social service during emergencies and natural calamities has been put to good use.
Punjab had a large number of Non Resident Indians (NRIs) visiting in this period from countries that were badly affected by the Virus. They needed to be accounted for and during this time isolation was very necessary. It was for this reason that Punjab adopted very stringent curfew like lock down conditions, and very rightly so. Under the circumstances the poorer section of society was very badly hit. It was under these difficult circumstances that Sangh volunteers came forward with the much needed assistance despite difficult and dangerous conditions.
The local Sangh leaders led from the front in all districts of the state. From big cities like Amritsar, Jullundur, Ludhiana, Taran Taran and Bhatinda to smaller townships like Rajpura, Jaito, Muktsar etc all places were covered in the relief effort. Apart from going from place to place, Sangh volunteers gave their personal phones as helpline numbers for immediate contact. The seamless cooperation between administration, social workers of all Gurdwaras, Sangh volunteers and other organisation led to an admirable control of the situation which had every possibility of spiraling out of control.
The Corona Virus has brought strong developed Nations to their knees. The strength of a Nation is established by its response to a crisis. It is in this regard that India is being looked upon as a leading light for the world to emulate.
Dr. Mohan Bhagwat has observed that this problem is likely to persist and all volunteers should be ready for a long haul. The Nation will face the challenge, as one, so long as it does not get contained. This is the resolve of every Indian.
(Jaibans Singh is a columnist and author)
Image courtesy – Samvad
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