Rendering yeoman service in the times of coronavirus

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 27

Ever since the curfew was imposed post the coronavirus outbreak, the Maa Chintpurni Sewa Mandal is rendering yeoman service to society by providing cooked meals and ration supplies.

Its nearly 100 volunteers are not only distributing ration, but also helping aged and needy people during the lockdown.

Deepak Sharma, a volunteer, said volunteers of the 20-year-old organisation came together to pool in money to fund the drive. He said they thought of initiating the drive after their own families started facing difficulties in getting the essential items after the curfew was imposed. “So, we thought what would the condition of economically weaker sections in society be?”

Amit Arora, another volunteer, said: “No amount has been fixed for volunteers in the organisation. They can contribute as much as they want to. Besides, neither any cook nor worker is hired to cook meals. Volunteers do this as per their capability. We started with a langar at various places of the city on March 25 and started distributing it daily to localities on the Majitha bypass road, Verka by-pass, Dhapai Road, Chheharta, Maal Mandi, Batala Road and Kalar village.”

Sonu Sharma, a volunteer, said they cook langar for nearly 2,000 to 2,500 people every day on the Albert Road and then distribute it in the entire city.

“We have distributed ration supplies to nearly 1,580 persons. A bag of ration supplies includes 5-kg wheat flour, three different kinds of cereals, all spices, 1 litre refined and mustard oil,” he said.