Azamgarh is one of the districts in Uttar Pradesh from where Indo-Caribbeans originated. Thousands of indentured laborers or girmits came from that and other nearby Bhojpuri speaking area in UP. Today, there is very low infection rate from Covid19; the district that has over 1.5 million people has only eight Covid cases with 4 totally recovered and four on the way to recovery. Like other parts of India, the area is in almost total lockdown except for food and medicines. Naturally, people would have difficulties getting food and since money is not being earned, some would not be able to afford meals. Enter the Sewa Bharti to the rescue. It has been providing daily meals to people throughout the country since the lockdown in mid March. I have been aiding the organization with its anti-Covid objectives in Azamgarh. The people of Azamgarh, like those Indians in the Caribbean, are warm and kind-hearted and generous helping those in need especially during a crisis.
RSS is perhaps the largest organization in India. Sewa Bharti is the wing of RSS which does work to help the needy. Whenever there is a disaster, Sewa Bharti is always on the front helping the affected.
Corona Virus Covid 19 has put the world on back foot. The virus spread from the Wuhan Province of China around world creating a pandemic.
In India, before the Holi festival Corona knocked on the door and government of India took a quick and good decision in mid March to close every thing and called it Janta Curfew (Public Curfew) on 22 March. The curfew was not sufficient to stop the spread of the virus. The government took the decision of a total lock down from 25 March until now; it has been extended till May 17. The lockdown was increased in three phases and is expected to be lifted towards end of May if the pandemic is under total control.
The Lock Down period is very heavy for daily paid non-contractual workers who work whole day to earn for his (her) family. No work means no money for laborers. But the government decided to sort out all who belongs in this category to provide some kind of assistance to help overcome the financial condition. Throughout the country, there are groups assisting the needy, dispossessed, and those out of work, including migrant laborers.
Sewa Bharti Azamgarh unit is working a lot to meet the needs of the less fortunate in our district. The team of Sewa Bharti is distributing rice, wheat flour, yellow dal, salt, vegetable, biscuits, bread, mask, soap, other essentials, etc. among the needy people. Sewa Bharti Azamgarh unit kept big huge clay pots in which water is filled for thirsty cow, dogs, monkeys, birds, and other animals may quench their thirst. Sewa Bharti team gave biscuits, roasted channa, and bananas to monkeys and green grass and dry hay to cows and other cattle. The Sewa Bharti team also provides Yoga experts to train people to fight the virus and how to self isolate and be quarantines so they can protect their health and be safe.
The people of Azamgarh are most grateful for assistance to help the needy. Azamgarh, an eastern district of Eastern UP, is that area from where lot of Girmit people comes. In this area, there is no major industry for mass employment and people go to other parts of India for work. Tens of thousands from Azamgarh are stuck in the urban cities of India unable to return home because of the lock down. Their families need urgent assistance. And Sewa Bharti has responded generously and effectively to the need of the hour. This area is very good for agriculture and has been growing a lot of food to feed India. And the public and government as well as district administrator have been cheering the volunteers for their humanitarian work that has been described as outstanding.
In Sewa Bharti Azamgarh team are young and energetic volunteers: Some are doctors, businessman and my self who is a journalist. Some of the team members include Dr Manish Tripathi – Ortho Surgeon, Dr G N Baranwal – skin Specialist, Dr Deepak Pandey – Pediatrician, Dr Subash Singh – Plastic Surgeon, Dr Rakesh Singh – BAMS, Anil Tripathi – Medicine Business, Rajan Upadhyay – Ex Army man, Pawan Upadhyay – Journalist.
Thank you all team for your fantastic work!