Hope shines in Maharashtra’s worst-hit Nagpur district to heal corona scars

By Moin Qazi*
The catastrophe unfolding of the pandemic appears to be the worst-case scenario that many feared: the second wave coronavirus has rapidly slid into a devastating crisis as the disease continues to rampage. The infections have spread so fast that overwhelmed hospitals are unbearably full; medicine is running out; supplies of lifesaving oxygen running low and morgues have run out of space. The sick have been left stranded in interminable lines at hospital gates or at home, literally gasping for air.
But hope still shines in this dark tragedy as civil society has risen to the occasion with its cadres defying threats to their own safety to supplement the state’s efforts. An integral aspect of our collective response is that the pandemic has engendered a united resolve, and for some organizations, countering hate is an exercise in demonstrating love and compassion. In the face of the pandemic, Indians transcending barriers of class, caste, region and religion have spontaneously collaborated to support each other and those in need.
Several nationwide organisations, such as the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) have a long track record of being in the forefront of relief efforts. Their grassroots-based nationwide network is now being effectively leveraged. Coming to the rescue of people in Nagpur, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has set up an 86 bedded hospital for COVID patients in collaboration with the Nagpur administration. It has a full complement of relief team; MBBS doctors supported by Ayush doctors, GNM nurses, ANM nurses and housekeeping staff. The JIH has allied with Medical Service Society (MSS) — an organization which has taken up a number of other projects with the Jamaat.

Dr Anwaar Siddiqui

Nagpur is the worst-hit district in Maharashtra. The entire system has collapsed and COVID has wreaked havoc. Every day 8000 new positive cases are reported in Nagpur Once known as the medical hub of central India; Nagpur is becoming the COVID hotspot. “At both the individual and institutional level, we have been serving our fellow citizens even before COVID-19. The magnitude of the challenge and the sheer plight of those in need have only strengthened our resolve to do more,” says Dr Anwaar Siddiqui, the President of the Nagpur unit of the Jamaat. Donning the full PPE, Dr. Siddiqui spends his greater day in supervising relief operations at the centre
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also visited the Covid Health Centre. Lauding the role of Jamaat-e-Islami, and MSS, Fadnavis said, “Today our society needs such people and organisations who understand the pain and grief of people and who try to help them overcome their problems. We are glad to know that the Jamaat has come forward for this work and is trying to help out during this huge pandemic”.
The Jamaat is also supplying oxygen cylinders to patients through its various outlets. Dr Asif Khan ,the regional unit President (Nagpur West) is monitoring the operations. The Jamaat’s efforts got the much needed motivational oxygen when city’s transport tycoon Pyare Khan used his personal resources and logistical infrastructure to mobilize oxygen supplies from distant centres.
—
*Development expert

Comments

India's chemical industry: The missing piece of Atmanirbhar Bharat

By N.S. Venkataraman* Rarely a day passes without the Prime Minister or a cabinet minister speaking about the importance of Atmanirbhar Bharat . The Start-up India scheme is a pillar in promoting this vision, and considerable enthusiasm has been reported in promoting start-up projects across the country. While these developments are positive, Atmanirbhar Bharat does not seem to have made significant progress within the Indian chemical industry . This is a matter of high concern that needs urgent and dispassionate analysis.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

History, culture and literature of Fatehpur, UP, from where Maulana Hasrat Mohani hailed

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a member of the Constituent Assembly and an extremely important leader of our freedom movement. Born in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, Hasrat Mohani's relationship with nearby district of Fatehpur is interesting and not explored much by biographers and historians. Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri has written a book on Maulana Hasrat Mohani and Fatehpur. The book is in Urdu. He has just come out with another important book, 'Hindi kee Pratham Rachna: Chandayan' authored by Mulla Daud Dalmai.' During my recent visit to Fatehpur town, I had an opportunity to meet Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri and recorded a conversation with him on issues of history, culture and literature of Fatehpur. Sharing this conversation here with you. Kindly click this link. --- *Human rights defender. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vbrawat , X @freetohumanity, Skype @vbrawat

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Breathless in Delhi: Lives lost while governments trade blame

By Sunil Kumar* The world today is battling the grave threat of climate change . If this crisis deepens further, it may endanger the very survival of humanity. Even imperial powers express concern—though largely to shift responsibility onto others. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-30), held in Belém, Brazil from November 10–21, ended without concrete results, despite coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement . India strongly argued that developed nations should not expect developing countries to compensate for their own failures, since they are the historical and primary contributors to carbon emissions. This was precisely why countries like the United States chose not to participate.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Search This Blog