The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), through its nationwide organisational network, has been engaged in relief activities in a big way since March 26, 2020 to counter the COVID-19 crisis. Till date, packets of cooked meals have been distributed to 36,65,699 persons across the country. VHP is arranging cooked food for more than 2,75,000 people on daily basis
-Milind Parande
VHP has been reaching out to the remotest corners of the
nation to provide help and relief materials to the poor and marginalized amid Coronavirus
nation to provide help and relief materials to the poor and marginalized amid Coronavirus
Today the Corona pandemic has created a deathly situation the world over. The global community has till date recorded more than 23-hundred-thousand COVID-19 positive cases, and, unfortunately, 1,59,510 people have lost their lives to this fatal infection. Developed, prosperous, powerful countries like the USA, Spain, Italy, France, etc., appear helpless and extremely vulnerable in these circumstances. The situation in India is under control to a large extent due to the timely, visionary decisions of the Government of India and the disciplined and sensitive behaviour of the society. Many self-inspired individuals and organisations of the society have risen to the occasion and come forward with determination to take up this challenge with great drive at the time of this crisis. The duty-conscious citizens are engaged in the work of protecting society by joining hands with the Government of India.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad, through its nationwide organisational network, has been engaged in relief activities in a big way since March 26, 2020 to counter the COVID-19 crisis. From March 26, VHP has started helpline facilities in every state of the country. So far, 28,791 persons made SOS calls to these helplines. Efforts were made to address their needs.
According to information received so far dry rations have been distributed by VHP to 3,78,827 families. Packets of cooked meals have been distributed to 36,65,699 persons across the country
Due to the nationwide mandatory lockdown to ensure social distancing to save the people, the society is facing difficulties. According to information received so far (till April 20) at 11,554 places in 1,771 towns/cities/rural hubs, dry rations have been distributed by VHP to 3,78,827 families. Dry 7-day or 10-day or 15-day packages of free rations, as per situation, for every family unit comprising of 4-5-members, are being distributed. All over the country, especially in the forest and hilly areas and poor settlements of West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam and the North-East, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc., the work of sending these materials is being done earnestly.
Packets of cooked meals have been distributed to 36,65,699 persons across the country. Every day, throughout the country, the VHP is arranging cooked food for more than 2,75,000 people. Among the big cities where the daily goods distribution of food is being done, are also Mumbai (28,000-meals daily), Pune and Pimpri (15,000-meals daily), Surat (12,000-meals daily), Delhi (10,000-meals daily). Daily cooked meals are being distributed to more than 70,000 people in Maharashtra, 40,000 in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, 25,000 in Rajasthan, 20,000 in Tamil Nadu, 35,000 in Uttar Pradesh, 15,000 in Haryana, more than 10,000 in Telangana.
The health, sanitisation and security personnel, all over the country, are the leading edge fighters against the COVID-19 fatal virus. Without this unmatched work on their part, it will be impossible to win over the corona pandemic. That is why, on the birth anniversary (April 14) of Bharat Ratna Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar – the messenger of social justice, social harmony and patriotism – VHP organised programmes at over 1,000 places to applaud and felicitate the sanitisation workers and also distributed sanitizers to them.
VHP’s Organisational General Secretary Shri Vinayak Rao Deshpande distributing PPEkits to the doctors atDr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Delhi
Till date, breathing masks have been distributed to 3,38,282 persons, and sanitisers and medicines to 1,86,442 persons. 550 PPE sets were given to doctors and nursing staff at RML Hospital in Delhi. Sanitisers have been distributed to more than 30,000 people in Delhi alone
To boost the mental toughness, zeal and zest of families, daily Satsang programmes in many families in several states such as Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, etc., were started. In Kerala itself, in over 6,500 families in 249 towns such daily Satsang programmes has already begun. Now, next week, weekly E-Satsang programmes will begin in the whole country for youth and women.
Till date, breathing masks have been distributed to 3,38,282 persons, and sanitizers and medicines to 1,86,442 persons. 550 PPE sets were given to doctors and nursing staff at RML Hospital in Delhi. Sanitisers have been distributed to more than 30,000 people in Delhi alone. In many states like Haryana, the work of stitching washable cotton masks is being done by our sisters. The VHP Karyakartas are rendering all these services, of course, strictly following the government guidelines against corona infection.
27,103 VHP Karyakartas are participating in this service work across the country. Bajrang Dal Karyakartas have a large participation in these services. A large number of Karyakartas of Matrishakti and Durga Vahini are also engaged in this work. All this work is going on under the guidance of senior VHP Karyakartas.
In many states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka, U.P., fodder and water are being provided to cow progeny. In Ayodhya, Rajasthan arrangements are also being made for monkeys.
Milk arrangements for infants/babies/children, food for working security personnel and sanitation workers, potable water for them, daily food supply for all patients in many hospitals in many cities are going on in association with many temples, Gurudwaras, Derasar (Jain temples) and other social and religious organisations. In this work at many places, there is the commendable participation of organisations like the ISKCON. In many states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, the provision of food, etc., for thousands of migrant labourers is being done for many days now. Blood donations to hospitals are also being done!
All the above-mentioned service activities are going on a daily basis. The current lockdown will continue till May 03. Until the complete solution to this crisis, all these service activities will be carried out by the VHP with the help of society.
(The writer is Secretary-General, Vishva Hindu Parishad)
