Day four of the lockdown has seen a spirited fight from India against the many odds. At a time when the whole country is going through a difficult phase to contain the spread of pandemic and protect all Indians, both administration and people are coming together to take this challenge head on.
Migration Crisis Addressed
The national capital in particular witnessed migration of daily-wage laborers, since all works halted due to the present situation. It unfolded into a painful proposition in the evening of March 27. Soon the administration stepped in. While the Home Ministry specified provisions under State Disaster Relief Fund, the Uttar Pradesh government arranged thousands of buses to reach the workers to their home districts.
Ministry of Home Affairs directs States/UTs to include 'Provisions for temporary accommodation, food, clothing, medical care etc. for homeless people, inc. migrant labourers, stranded due to lockdown & sheltered in relief camps' under SDRF fund allocations in wake of COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/SG7Z8PG4fs
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) March 28, 2020
#WATCH Huge gathering at Ghazipur near Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border as people wait to board special buses arranged by UP govt for their native districts in Uttar Pradesh. #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/PgVM6eSank
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2020
PM-CARES Fund
Acknowledging the requests of several people across the country for contributing money to fight COVID-19, PM Narendra Modi announced THE PM-Cares Fund. Actor Akshay Kumar has already made a contribution of ₹25 crore to the Fund.
The PM-CARES Fund accepts micro-donations too. It will strengthen disaster management capacities and encourage research on protecting citizens.
Let us leave no stone unturned to make India healthier and more prosperous for our future generations. pic.twitter.com/BVm7q19R52
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 28, 2020
Ramayana Re-telecast
DD National started re-telecasting the iconic television serial Ramayana from March 28, Saturday. One episode will be telecast in morning from 9am to 10am every day, while another will be telecast from 9pm to 10pm.
The re-telecast of BR Chopra’s Mahabharat also started on DD Bharati from March 28, Saturday. One episode will be telecast at 12pm while another will be telecast at 7pm every day.
While the government has taken care to address the economic aspects of people in this 21 Days Lockdown period, emotional and psychological aspects are also playing a role in this period. In such turbulent times, it is important that people remain happy and engaged even within the confines of their home. What better recipe for coping with stress than a replay of these iconic serials?
The move received a huge reception from the people, as reflected in social media conversations.
Keeping the Spirit High
Both people and administration have kept their spirits high in this fight against Covid19. While the Indian Army through its Operation Namaste has built a big medical facility, Indian Railways has attuned its coaches to treat the COVID-19 affected.
Preparing to Combat Coronavirus: In a novel initiative, Railways has converted train coaches into isolation wards for COVID-19 patients ?
Now, Railways will offer clean, sanitised & hygienic surroundings for the patients to comfortably recover. #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/miYO3LOGfN
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 28, 2020
Here are some examples of how individuals and group of people are putting their efforts to mitigate the situation.
Haryana: Rotary Club of Faridabad Sansakar distribute food among the needy amid #CoronavirusLockdown. "We are providing food to migrant workers heading towards their native places. We distributed around 2000 packets yesterday," says a member of the organisation. pic.twitter.com/LuynBF8Dck
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2020
Good story of @MylabSolutions, #Pune… 'The woman behind India's first testing kit'
Built in record time, the team leader, Minal Dakhave Bhosale submitted the kit for evaluation by the NIV on 18 March, just a day before delivering her daughter.
https://t.co/04qjzEntdK via @BBC pic.twitter.com/So6wjTTYEe— Amit Paranjape (@aparanjape) March 28, 2020
Corporate India Joins Hand
The day witnessed an announcement of a ₹500 crore fund from Tata Trust, while Ola announced a ₹20 crore fund for drivers who have no job during the lockdown.
The COVID 19 crisis is one of the toughest challenges we will face as a race. The Tata Trusts and the Tata group companies have in the past risen to the needs of the nation. At this moment, the need of the hour is greater than any other time. pic.twitter.com/y6jzHxUafM
— Ratan N. Tata (@RNTata2000) March 28, 2020
Millions of drivers & their families find themselves without an income today. To support them, we're launching the ‘Drive the Driver’ fund. I'm contributing my next yr salary&Ola along with employees will contribute Rs 20 cr to the fund: Bhavish Aggarwal,co-founder&CEO,Ola (file) pic.twitter.com/jT5lWJncdL
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2020
